EFFECT OF A GRADIENT MAGNETIC-FIELD ON THE COMBUSTION REACTION OF METHANE IN AIR

When a fuel ps flows in the direction of a magnetic field of decreasing strength, a combustion reaction is found to be activated. The relationship between the direction of a fuel-gas flow and the steepest gradient of the magnetic field was observed to determine how the reaction was promoted. This magnetic effect has been explained by the movement of the reactants and reaction products caused by gradient magnetic fields. The results suggest that a chemical reaction involving a change in the magnetic susceptibilities of component species can be controlled by application of a gradient magnetic field.