Distribution of iron dust particles across the unburned zone during flame propagation in a vertical duct

The homotopy analysis method is employed in this study to obtain the concentration and velocity profiles of particles during flame propagation over a two-phase medium consisting of iron dust microparticles and air. The particle concentration is demonstrated to increase when the leading edge of the combustion zone is approached. This increase in the particle concentration above the combustion zone has a remarkable effect on the lower flammability limit of the combustible particle cloud. The results obtained with the use of this approach are in good agreement with the published experimental data.