Flame theory and combustion technology

The study of combustion processes is in a sufficiently early stage so that there is no strong connection between combustion theory and the technology of combustion chamber development. To clarify such a connection is the principal task of workers engaged in establishing combustion as an engineering science. The equations of aerothermochemistry are reviewed for the case in which temperature and composition gradients are small. Solutions have been obtained in very few cases and under very restrictive circumstances; most detailed considerations are restricted to the plane laminar flame front. The current situation in the theory of plane laminar flames is discussed. The few extensions that have been made to two-dimensional problems are then described. Several directions of work which would assist in establishing theoretical results approaching technological requirements appear possible.