Interaction between a laminar flame and its self-generated flow
The interaction between a premixed laminar flame and its self-generated flow is experimentally studied in a closed duct. A laser Doppler anemometer measures two components of the enclosed gas velocity during the flame propagation. High-speed schlieren cinematography is used to observe changes in flame shape and location. Pressure records correlate with the qualitative schlieren movies and help quantify the progress of the combustion process. A one-dimensional model accurately predicts the unburned gas motion. The flow in the burned gas is rotational because of vorticity generated from flow deflection through the curved flame front. The density difference between the burned and unburned gas requires a velocity jump at the flame front to maintain continuity of mass flux. The measured velocity jump corresponds to this predicted value. A large flame cusp, called a ''tulip'' flame, appears during the flame propagation. Flame instability, pressure wave/flame interaction, and large scale circulation in the unburned gas are suggested explanation for the ''tulip'' flame. Velocity measurements of this work show that no large scale circulation exists in the unburned gas. The onset of the ''tulip'' process coincides with the quench of part of the flame at the sidewalls of the combustion vessel. The velocity decrease in the unburned gas and the curved flame shape at the time of quench combine to generate a vortex in the burned gas. The vortex remains in the proximity of the flame and modifies the flame shape and unburned gas field such that the flame cusp or ''tulip'' is formed.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 5614767
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-19582; ON: DE85013812
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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