Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Flame propagation in gaseous fuel mixtures in semiconfined geometries

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6489996

The possible hazardous consequences of large spills of liquefied natural gas (LNG) are not completely known at present, but research into the problem is advancing steadily. Here we review previous work on flame propagation in gaseous fuels contained in semiconfined geometries. We formulate our present understanding of the phenomena involved, describing some of the parameters that may have an effect on flame propagation, flame acceleration, and the transition from deflagration to detonation. We describe some of our recent experiments on combustion in semiconfined geometries. Our results suggest that turbulence-producing obstacles in the flow path are the primary cause of acceleration of the flame front. Other parameters remain to be investigated, however, before we can give a satisfactory explanation of flame acceleration.

Research Organization:
California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
6489996
Report Number(s):
UCID-19000; ON: DE81025115
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English