Investigation of Centrifugal Force and Reynolds Number Effects on Combustion Processes.

Abstract

During the period between 30 June 1973 and 30 June 1974, tests in a combustion centrifuge have demonstrated that increased buoyancy produced by centrifugal force can be used to increase flamespeeds significantly over turbulent Flamespeed, which controls combustion rates in conventional burners. A preliminary model has been developed that predicts the flamespreading rate at various burner conditions. Comparison with experimental data obtained from a scale model afterburner operating on the buoyant flamespreading principle confirms the model predictions. In addition, a second model, based on classical heat transfer correlations, has been developed to predict with reasonable accuracy the extinction limits of flames at very high centrifugal force values. The effects of Reynolds number on turbulent flamespeeds of propane-air and hydrogen-air mixtures have also been measured. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1974
Accession Number
AD0787865

Entities

People

  • Clifford E. Smith
  • George D. Lewis

Organizations

  • Pratt & Whitney

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Buoyancy
  • Burning Rate
  • Centrifugal Force
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Combustion
  • Experimental Data
  • Heat Transfer
  • Models
  • Reynolds Number
  • Scale Models

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.