Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences was first conceived, published, and disseminated by TPRC at Purdue University in 1957, starting its coverage of theses with the academic year 1955. Beginning with Volume 13, the printing and dissemina tion phases of the activity was transferred to University Microfilms/Xerox of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the thought that such an arrangement would be more beneficial to the academic and general scientific and technical community. After five years of this joint undertaking we have concluded that it will be in the interest of all concerned if the printing and distribution of the volume were handled by a well-known publishing house to assure improved service and better communication. Hence, effective with this Volume 18, Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences will be disseminated on a worldwide basis by Plenum Publishing Corporation of New York. All back issues can also be ordered from Plenum. As we embark on this new partnership with Plenum, we also initiate a new venture in that this important annual reference work now covers Canadian universities as well as those in the United States. We are sure that this broader base will greatly enhance the value of these volumes.

This report is Chapter VII of the twelve in a forthcoming research monograph on the mathematical theory of laminar combustion. Cylindrical and spherical premixed flames are discussed, the latter with a view to application to the burning monopropellant drop. Cylindrical flames have a planar character, while spherical flames exhibit ignition and extinction.

This monograph deals with the structure, generation and stability of flames from a mathematical point of view. It uses a specific mathematical approach to provide a unified theoretical description of fundamental flame phenomena. Its importance stems from the fact that it provides the first clear evidence that combustion can be legitimately treated as a mathematical science as well as an empirical one. The book will be of interest to researchers in combustion, fluid mechanics and applied mathematics, as well as to graduate students taking advanced courses in these areas.

Premixed and diffusion laminar spherico-symmetrical flames were studied by means of a theoretical model in which chemical kinetics is approximated by means of an over-all reaction rate. Nonadiabatic cases are fully considered and the influence of the main parameters of the process are thoroughly studied. Results of an experimental investigation on diffusion flames are also included. They have been obtained by burning in air hydrogen and butane injected through different sized porous ceramic spheres. A comparison between theoretical and experimental results is also included. (Author).

An earlier paper (MRC TSR no. 1803) indicated that rational analysis of the governing equations of combustion can be based on activation-energy asymptotics. As an example, the basic problem of combustion theory is treated, namely the premixed plane flame (i.e. the unlimited one-dimensional steady solution).