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Volume 115
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Laser ignition and combustion process of single boron agglomerate in steam
Gan Yang a, Binbin Chen a *, Likun Ma a, Yunchao Feng a, Lian Duan b, Zhixun Xia a, Chaolong Li c
a Advanced Propulsion Technology Laboratory, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, China
b School of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, 411105, China
c Test Center, National University of Defense Technology, Xi'an, 710106, China
10.1016/j.partic.2026.05.007
Pages 55-67, August 2026, Volume 115
Received 2 March 2026, Revised 23 April 2026, Accepted 5 May 2026, Available online 20 May 2026, Version of Record 26 May 2026.
E-mail: chenbinbin11@nudt.edu.cn
Highlights

• A single-particle laser ignition system is established to study boron combustion in steam.

• Boron agglomerates in steam undergo four distinct combustion stages.

• Steam triggers a unique micro-explosion mode with sustained jetting rather than expansion.

• Quasi-steady combustion in steam is diffusion-controlled with a rate constant comparable to air.

• Boron achieves ∼39.1% combustion efficiency in pure steam, confirming its potential as oxidizer.


Abstract

To investigate the ignition and combustion mechanisms of boron agglomerates in oxygen-free steam for water ramjet applications, a laser ignition single-particle experimental system was established. The combustion process was found to comprise four sequential stages: preheating and structural loosening, molten collapse, micro-explosion combustion, and quasi-steady combustion. The results indicate that steam can act as an oxidizer to support vigorous boron combustion. Its unique chemical role (reacting with B2O3 to form volatile HBO2) effectively accelerates the removal of the surface oxide layer, resulting in a relatively thin molten shell. Entrapped steam continuously reacts with internal boron, generating gaseous products (H2, etc.) that trigger a distinct micro-explosion mode characterized by sustained ejection rather than the expansion-dominated behavior observed in air. Kinetic analysis reveals that the quasi-steady combustion stage is diffusion-controlled, with a burning rate constant comparable to that in air. A quantitative evaluation based on volume change yields a final combustion efficiency of approximately 39.1% in pure steam. These single-particle-level observations provide essential experimental evidence for understanding boron combustion mechanisms and for designing boron-based water-reactive fuel systems.

Graphical abstract
Keywords
Boron agglomerate; Laser ignition; Steam atmosphere; Micro-explosion; Combustion kinetics; Single particle
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