Analytical Study of Hydrodynamic Instability in the Flame: 2. Account of the Viscosity of the Gas in the Cold and Hot Areas

Hydrodynamic instability is examined with consideration given to the viscosity of the fresh gas and combustion products, as well as to the dependences of the flame speed on the front curvature and of the transport coefficients on the temperature. For the perturbation frequency, an approximate second-order dispersion equation is derived. The flame is completely stable at very high viscosity or small dimensions. The greatest destabilizing role of the thermal expansion coefficient manifests itself at its relatively small values. As the expansion coefficient increases, the viscosity of the gas in the flame zone increases rapidly. In addition, the stabilizing effect according to the Markstein model is enhanced by thermal expansion.