ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to identify the reaction mechanism that most accurately represents H₂/O₂ kinetics over a large range of conditions, particularly at elevated pressures as present in a gas turbine combustor. Based on a comprehensive literature review, five mechanisms of different research groups have been selected for further comparisons within this study. The mechanisms of the group around F. Dryer (Mueller et al., 1999; Li et al., 2004) and of Ó Conaire et al. (2004) provide the most comprehensive validation at pressures up to 87 bar. Reactor calculations of ignition delay times show that the mechanisms of Li et al. (2004) and Ó Conaire et al. (2004) yield the best agreement with data from shock tube experiments at pressures up to 33 bar. The investigation of one-dimensional laminar hydrogen flames indicate that the mechanisms of Li et al. (2004) and Ó Conaire et al. (2004) yield the best agreement with experimental data. These two mechanisms seem to perform slightly better for atmospheric pressure, and much better for elevated pressures. It is difficult to say if one of the two performs better than the other.