Premixed Turbulent Flame Propagation
Abstract
An experimental study has been conducted of turbulence-flame interactions in premixed turbulent flames and their effect on flame-generated turbulence, flame structure and flame propagation. The flame configuration used for this study is that of a freely propagating, one-dimensional (in the mean) turbulent flame which is free of the flame stabilization, free stream shear, and post-flame flow restriction effects of other flame configurations. Flame-generated turbulence has been studied in an atmospheric pressure, propane-air flame at one turbulence condition, where LDV measurements of the mean velocity, turbulence intensity, time scale, energy spectrum, length scale and Reynolds stress have been made as a function of time through the propagating flame front. A three-fold increase in the density weighted turbulent kinetic energy across the flame front is observed. Based on a comparison with similar results from other experiments, this result suggests that the heat release parameter has a greater effect on flame-generated turbulence than the turbulence intensity to laminar flame speed ratio. A heuristic model has been developed which accurately predicts the observed variation in flame structure fractal dimension based on the competition between turbulence which acts to convectively distort the flame surface and burning which acts to smooth the flame surface. The model has been compared with the limited turbulent flame kernel growth measurements which are available and very good agreement has been obtained between the measurements and the predictions of the fractal turbulent flame kernel model.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 10, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA211489
Entities
People
- D. A. Santavicca
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University