An Experimental Investigation of the Turbulence Structure of a Lifted H2/N2 Jet Flame in a Vitiated Co-Flow

Measurements of mean velocity components, turbulent intensity, and Reynolds shear stress are presented in a turbulent lifted H₂/N₂ jet flame as well as non-reacting air jet issuing into a vitiated co-flow by laser doppler velocimetry (LDV) technique. The objectives of this paper are to obtain a velocity data base missing in the previous experiment data of the Dibble burner and so provide initial and flow field data for evaluating the validity of various numerical codes describing the turbulent partially premixed flames on this burner. It is found that the potential core is shortened due to the high ratio of jet density to co-flow density in the non-reacting cases. However, the existence of flame suppressed turbulence in the upstream region of the jet dominates the length of potential core in the reacting cases. At the centreline, the normalized axial velocities in the reacting cases are higher than the non-reacting cases, and the relative turbulent intensities of the reacting flow are smaller than in the non-reacting flow, where a self-preserving behaviour for the relative turbulent intensities exists at the downstream region. The profiles of mean axial velocity in the lifted flame distribute between the non-reacting jet and non-premixed flame both in the axial and radial distributions. The radial distributions of turbulent kinetic energy in the lifted flames exhibit a change in distributions indicating the difference of stabilisation mechanisms of the two lifted flame. The experimental results presented will guide the development of an improved modelling for such flames.     

Leading-Edge Reaction Zones in Lifted-Jet Gas and Spray Flames

An investigation of the leading edge characteristics in lifted turbulent methane-air (gaseous) and ethanol-air (spray) diffusion flames is presented. Both combustion systems consist of a central nonpremixed fuel jet surrounded by low-speed air co-flow. Non-intrusive laser-based diagnostic techniques have been applied to each system to provide information regarding the behavior of the combustion structures and turbulent flow field in the regions of flame stabilization. Simultaneous sequential CH-PLIF/particle image velocimetry and CH-PLIF/Rayleigh scattering measurements are presented for the lifted gaseous flame. The CH-PLIF data for the lifted gas flame reveals the role that ``leading-edge' combustion plays as the stabilization mechanism in gaseous diffusion flames. This phenomenon, characterized by a fuel-lean premixed flame branch protruding radially outward at the flame base, permits partially premixed flame propagation against the incoming flow field. In contrast, the leading edge of the ethanol spray flame, examined using single-shot OH-PLIF imaging and smoke-based flow visualization, does not exhibit the same variety of leading-edge combustion structure, but instead develops a dual reaction zone structure as the liftoff height increases. This dual structure is a result of the partial evaporation (hence partial premixing) of the polydisperse spray and the enhanced rate of air entrainment with increased liftoff height (due to co-flow). The flame stabilizes in a region of the spray, near the edge, occupied by small fuel droplets and characterized by intense mixing due to the presence of turbulent structures. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Investigation of Lifted Flame Propagation Under Pulsing Conditions Using High-Speed OH-LIF and LES

Flame propagation in a lifted flame subjected to a transient velocity pulse is investigated using high-speed OH-LIF and Large Eddy Simulation (LES). The design of the burner, taking the requirements of the simulations into consideration, comprises an attached and lifted CNG jet flame in a mild air co-flow, forced to transition by a controlled mass flow pulse of fuel. The high-speed images taken at 5 kHz show a rapid lifting of the flames upon pulsation before the flame base propagates back towards the nozzle. The resulting steady state position differed from the initial lift-off position, consistent with the previously observed hysteresis concept. Calculations using LES along with detailed chemistry are shown to capture the basic features observed in the experiment.     

Role of Buoyancy on Instabilities and Structure of Transitional Gas Jet Diffusion Flames

Transitional jet diffusion flames provide the link between dynamics of laminar and turbulent flames. In this study, instabilities and their interaction with the flow structure are explored in a transitional jet diffusion flame, with focus on isolating buoyancy effects. Experiments are conducted in hydrogen flames with fuel jet Reynolds number of up to 2,200 and average jet velocity of up to 54 m/s. Since the fuel jet is laminar at the injector exit, the transition from laminar to turbulent flame occurs by the hydrodynamic instabilities in the shear layer of fuel jet. The instabilities and the flow structures are visualized and quantified by the rainbow schlieren deflectometry technique coupled with a high-speed imaging system. The schlieren images acquired at 2,000 frames per second allowed exposure time of 23 μs with spatial resolution of 0.4 mm. Results identify a hitherto unknown secondary instability in the flame surface, provide explanation for the observed intermittency in the breakpoint length, show coherent vortical structures downstream of the flame breakpoint, and illustrate gradual breakdown of coherent structures into small-scale random structures in the far field turbulent region.     

On Flame-Edge Propagation

Contemporary interest exists for understanding how reaction zones stabilize and counter-propagate against incoming reactants. Images of flame position, morphology and dynamics are presented primarily from CH planar laser-induced fluorescence (CH-PLIF) measurements. Observations of the leading-edge flame behavior with respect to upstream propagation and recession downstream are made with sequential CH-PLIF imaging, and data have been revisited in light of the recent research of McCraw et al. (Flow Turbul Combust 70(1):83–97, 2007). It is found that in cases where a distinct branch of the outer (fuel-lean) edge of the reaction zone is present, the edge of the flame is either witnessed to propagate upstream or locally disappear. In cases where no distinct branch other than the main branch is observed, the flame is witnessed to either remain stationary or drop back downstream. These observations support the notion that structures in the low speed, outer edge of the reaction zone are involved in the upstream phase of the flame propagation.     

An experimental investigation of the interaction of swirl flow with partially premixed disk stabilized propane flames

The present work describes the experimental investigation of reacting wakes established through fuel injection and staged premixing with air in an axisymmetric double cavity arrangement, formed along three concentric disks, and stabilized in the downstream vortex region of the afterbody. The burner assembly is operated with a co-flow of swirling air, aerodynamically introduced upstream of the burner exit plane, to allow for the study of the interaction between the resulting partially premixed recirculating afterbody flames with the surrounding swirl. At low swirl the primary afterbody disk stabilizes the partially premixed annular jet in the downstream reacting wake formation region. As swirl increases, a system of two successive vortices emerges along the axis of the developing wake; the primary afterbody vortex is cooperating with an adjacent, swirl induced, central recirculation zone and this combination further promotes turbulent mixing in the hot wake.Complementary measurements of the counterpart isothermal turbulent velocity fields provided important information on the near wake aerodynamics under the interaction of the variable swirl and the double cavity produced annular jet stabilized by the afterbody. Under reacting conditions, measurements of turbulent velocities, temperatures and statistics together with an evaluation of the exhaust emissions were performed using LDV, thin digitally-compensated thermocouples and gas analyzers. A selected number of lean and ultra-lean flames were investigated by regulating the injected fuel and the air supply ratio, while the influence of the variation of the imposed swirl on wake development, flame characteristics and emission performance was documented for constant fuel injections. The differences and similarities between the present partially premixed stabilizer and other types of axisymmetric configurations are also highlighted and discussed.     

Effects of Small- and Large-Scale Structures in a Piloted Jet Diffusion Flame

Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) and Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) measurements have been performed in a turbulent nonpremixed jet flame. One of the features of this configuration is a central co-axial fuel jet surrounded by a turbulent annular air flow. The whole is placed within a low-speed coflowing air stream. This three-flow system with turbulent primary air differs from flow systems used for nonpremixed jet flames reported in the literature and is very useful for obtaining information on the mixing process between fuel and primary air. Next to the characterization of the velocity field, special attention has been paid to the conditional seeding of the central fuel jet and of the annular air flow. Together with visualizations of the OH radical, an important combustion intermediate which is formed during combustion, and the NO radical, which is seeded to the central jet flow, the resulting statistics reveal the properties of small- and large-scale structures in the flame.     

Studies on Lifted Jet Flames in Coflow: The Stabilization Mechanism in the Near- and Far-Fields

This paper presents the results of a parametric study concerning the phenomenon of liftoff of a nonpremixed jet flame. The dependence of liftoff height on jet exit velocity and coflow velocity is described. It is shown that lifted flames become less sensitive to jet exit velocity as the stabilization point recedes from the burner exit. The results reveal that in cases of extreme liftoff height, increases in jet exit velocity with a constant coflow cause some ethylene flames to stabilize closer to the burner. The success of current theories on lifted flame stabilization in comparison to the experimental results of this study are assessed. The existence of multiple regimes for flame stabilization, incorporating aspects of both premixed and nonpremixed combustion, is proposed.     

Investigation of Jet-Flame Blowout with Lean-Limit Considerations

The current study utilizes digital image sequences of flames to better understand the blowout phenomenon. Methane flames are studied near blowout conditions to determine if the disappearance of the diffusion flame prior to extinguishment signifies the leading edge of the reaction zone reaching the lean-limit. Various concentrations of nitrogen are used to dilute methane flames. The axial position of the flames is compared with the calculated position of the lean flammability limit to determine the role of the diffusion flame. The blowout limits of these flames are established and a blowout parameter is empirically determined from the data. Results from flames in co-flow show agreement with the blowout parameter previously published; however, the analysis shows that, the disappearance of the bulk diffusive reaction zone occurs at the lean flammability limit and is an accurate predictor of blowout for diluted and non-diluted methane flames.     

气流特征对水平长管内石松子粉尘爆炸火焰结构的影响

为探索气流特征对水平长管内粉尘爆炸火焰结构的影响, 对采用加压送气传输方式形成的石松子粉尘云经静电引燃后其火焰在水平长管内的传播特性进行实验。利用热线风速仪测量不同气流条件下沿管径方向的速度分布和湍流强度分布, 采用高速摄像系统记录了火焰在水平管道内的传播过程。实验观察到, 即使管内石松子粉尘质量分数相同, 仍然会出现2种不同类型的火焰结构:一种类型火焰轮廓规则、清晰, 火焰中心为连续的黄色发光区并由红色边缘火焰包裹; 另一种类型火焰空间离散, 火焰发光区局部存在, 散乱地呈现不规则状态。详细分析不同气流条件对火焰结构的影响。     

Noise Reduction in Non-Premixed Lifted-Jet Flames

The characteristic changes in non-premixed lifted flames when excited by hole tones from a cavity, placed in the flow path of the fuel gas, were studied. A significant reduction of the sound pressure level was observed in the low-frequency noise at the flame base of the lifted flame when the hole tones were induced in the jet. The liftoff height and the mean diameter of the flame base decreased for a given jet Reynolds number. The blow-off velocities also increased suggesting improved flame stability in the presence of the hole tones induced by the cavity. Incorporation of the cavity upstream of a burner nozzle is demonstrated to give a quieter lifted flame with improved stability characteristics. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Instability of buoyant diffusion flames

Buoyant jet diffusion flames are known to exhibit large scale vortical flow structures strongly interacting with flame structures. In the present work, the formation and evolution of coherent flow structures is studied in a methane/ air coflow arrangement. This is accomplished by utilizing visualization techniques (planar laser induced hydroxyl fluorescence and Mie-scattering) and Laser Doppler Velocimetry. A striking repeatability and correlation of evolving coherent structures of the air co-flow and the reaction zone is observed. In the transitional region, flow and flame structures oscillate at very pure frequencies ranging from 10–15 Hz. A local absolutely unstable velocity profile close to the burner rim seems to be responsible. Self-excited axisymmetric wavelike structures propagate up- and downstream of this location. We study the influence of the exit velocities and the type of coflowing oxidizer (air or oxygen) on the location of transition to periodic flow structures and related frequencies. Conditional averages of image and velocity data are employed to describe the evolution of coherent flow structures and their interaction with flame structures.The authors wish to thank the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft for financial support under contract Kn 118/22-2.     

Flow Structure of Swirling Turbulent Propane Flames

Flow structure of premixed propane–air swirling jet flames at various combustion regimes was studied experimentally by stereo PIV, CH* chemiluminescence imaging, and pressure probe. For the non-swirling conditions, a nonlinear feedback mechanism of the flame front interaction with ring-like vortices, developing in the jet shear layer, was found to play important role in the stabilisation of the premixed lifted flame. For the studied swirl rates (S = 0.41, 0.7, and 1.0) the determined domain of stable combustion can be divided into three main groups of flame types: attached flames, quasi-tubular flames, and lifted flames. These regimes were studied in details for the case of S = 1.0, and the difference in the flow structure of the vortex breakdown is described. For the quasi-tubular flames an increase of flow precessing above the recirculation zone was observed when increased the stoichiometric coefficient from 0.7 to 1.4. This precessing motion was supposed to be responsible for the observed increase of acoustic noise generation and could drive the transition from the quasi-tubular to the lifted flame regime.     

The Structure of the Auto-Ignition Region of Turbulent Dilute Methanol Sprays Issuing in a Vitiated Co-flow

This paper presents planar imaging of laser induced fluorescence (LIF) from key reactive species in the auto-ignition region of dilute turbulent spray flames of methanol. High-speed (5?kHz) LIF-OH imaging as well as low speed (10?Hz) imaging of joint LIF-OH-CH₂O is performed. The product of the OH and CH₂O signals is used as a qualitative indicator of local heat release. The burner is kept intentionally simple to facilitate computations and the spray is formed upstream of the jet exit plane and carried with air or nitrogen into a hot co-flowing stream of vitiated combustion products. The studied flames are all lifted but differ in the shape of their leading edge and heat release zones. Similarities with auto-ignition of gaseous fuels, as well as differences, are noted here. Formaldehyde is detected earlier than OH implying that the former is a key precursor in the initiation of auto-ignition. Growing kernels of OH that are advected from upstream, close in on the jet centreline and ignite the main flame. The existence of double reaction zones in some flames may be due to ignitable mixtures formed subsequent to local evaporation of droplets and subsequent mixing. When air is used as spray carrier, reaction zones broaden with distance, possibly due to increased partial premixing and regions of intense heat release occur near the flame centreline further downstream. With nitrogen as carrier, the flame maintains a nominal diffusion-like structure with reaction zones of uniform width and substantially less concentration of heat release on the flame centreline.     

LES-CMC Simulations of Different Auto-ignition Regimes of Hydrogen in a Hot Turbulent Air Co-flow

Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) results in combination with first-order Conditional Moment Closure (CMC) are presented for a hydrogen jet, diluted with nitrogen, issued into a turbulent co-flowing hot air stream. The fuel mixes with the co-flow air, ignites and forms a lifted-like flame. Global trends in the experimental observations are in general well reproduced: the auto-ignition length decreases with increase in co-flow temperature and increases with increase in co-flow velocity. In the experiments, the co-flow temperature was varied, so that different auto-ignition regimes, including low Damköhler number situations, were obtained (no ignition, random spots, flashback and lifted flame). All regimes are recovered in the simulations. Auto-ignition is found to be the stabilizing mechanism. The impact of different detailed chemistry mechanisms on the auto-ignition predictions is discussed. With increasing air temperature, the differences between the mechanisms considered diminish. The evolution of temperature, H₂O, H, HO₂ and OH from inert to burning conditions is discussed in mixture fraction space.     

Helical-mode excitation of lifted flames using piezoelectric actuators

 Experiments of helical excitation using piezoelectric actuators on jet flows and lifted flames are performed to enhance the understanding of the effects of vortical structures of various instability modes on the stabilization mechanism of the lifted flame. In addition to the common ring and braid structures, five or seven azimuthal fingers (or lobes) can be identified in the transverse image of the jet near field. Excitation with various helical modes enhances the azimuthal structures and entrainment in the near field. When helically excited with the asymmetric m=1 mode, one of the fingers is enhanced and may evolve into a strong streamwise vortex. The streamwise vortices generated in the braid region between the adjacent ring vortices may enhance fuel-air mixing due to additional azimuthal entrainment upstream of a lifted flame when helically excited with the m=1 mode. Therefore, the streamwise vortex serves as an additional path of high probability of premixed flammable layer for the upstream propagation of the lifted flame so that the flame base on one side of the lifted flame may extend farther upstream and the flame base is inclined. In addition to the inclined flame base, multiple-legs phenomenon is also observed in the flame base, which is strongly associated with fingers of the helical modes of the jet flow. Received: 21 August 1997/Accepted: 24 January 1999     

Lifted Diffusion Flame Stabilisation: Conditional Analysis of Multi-Parameter High-Repetition Rate Diagnostics at the Flame Base

Data from simultaneous 5?kHz OH-PLIF and Stereo-PIV at the stabilisation region of a propane/ argon lifted diffusion jet flame are presented for jet-exit Reynolds numbers of 10,000 and 15,000. The time history leading to the upstream appearance of flame islands is investigated for both flames. These flame islands are found to be preceded, on average, by a increased out-of-plane fluid velocity. Conditioning local flame statistics on the instantaneous flame base, as indicated by the OH image, permits analysis of upstream and downstream flame motions (in laboratory co-ordinates). The relative velocity is investigated by conditioning out the data with significant out-of-plane fluid velocity. This has introduced greater accuracy over previous attempts at estimating this quantity. No evidence is found for a correlation between increased turbulence intensity or the passage of large scale eddies with increased flame propagation speeds. Furthermore, divergence at the flame base is not found to correlate with upstream flame motion (as a combination of propagation and convection). The volume of the data investigated has led to the development of robust statistics for all quantities presented here.     

High-resolution imaging of turbulence structures in jet flames and non-reacting jets with laser Rayleigh scattering

A comparative study of the length scales and morphology of dissipation fields in turbulent jet flames and non-reacting jets provides a quantitative analysis of the effects of heat release on the fine-scale structure of turbulent mixing. Planar laser Rayleigh scattering is used for highly resolved measurements of the thermal and scalar dissipation in the near fields of CH₄/H₂/N₂ jet flames (Re _d  = 15,200 and 22,800) and non-reacting propane jets (Re _d  = 7,200–21,700), respectively. Heat release increases the dissipation cutoff length scales in the reaction zone of the flames such that they are significantly larger than the cutoff scales of non-reacting jets with comparable jet exit Reynolds numbers. Fine-scale anisotropy is enhanced in the reaction zone. At x/d = 10, the peaks of the dissipation angle PDFs in the Re _d  = 15,200 and 22,800 jet flames exceed those of non-reacting jets with corresponding jet exit Reynolds numbers by factors of 2.3 and 1.8, respectively. Heat release significantly reduces the dissipation layer curvature in the reaction zone and in the low-temperature periphery of the jet flames. These results suggest that the reaction zone shields the outer regions of the jet flame from the highly turbulent flow closer to the jet axis.     

Experimental Characterization of Gelled Jet A1 Spray Flames

Gelled propellants provide energetic performance similar to conventional liquid propellants and safety during storage and handling like a solid propellant. Experiments on unconfined gelled Jet A1 spray flames and the comparison with ungelled spray flames are reported for the first time in this paper in terms of the global features, burning regimes, stability limits, visible flame height, emission spectra, natural luminosity, and CH ^? chemiluminescence. Propellants were atomized by an internally impinging two-fluid atomizer, developed specifically for efficient atomization of non-Newtonian gels. Swirling and non-swirling spray flames were successfully stabilized on a burner incorporating bluff body and annular jet of combustion air over a wide range of operating parameters. Structural features of the atomizer impart high momentum to the (central) spray jet, such that the recirculation zone could be penetrated under all conditions. Long-exposure smoke and high-speed visualizations were employed to study cold flow structures and droplet-vortex interactions. Short-exposure direct and backlit imaging were used to observe global features of spray flames. Stability limits and visible flame heights were mapped for different thermal inputs, swirl numbers, and flow rates of atomizing and combustion air jets. Non-swirling stable anchored, partially blown off, and neck-blown off flames were observed. Lifted, and a transition regime, in which the flame could burn in stable and lifted mode repetitively, were observed for the swirling flames. Interactions between central and annular jets are important in these regimes, determining flame shape, symmetry, and flame height. Jet-like propagation zone determines the flame height through its dependence on momentum of spray jet. The length of this zone is affected by variations in thermal input, gas-liquid ratio, and air-fuel ratio. The gelled Jet A1 flames are remarkably shorter despite having a larger average droplet size than ungelled Jet A1. This experimental observation directly supports theoretical predictions reported in literature. These flames are more luminous than ungelled Jet A1, especially at the base and the neck regions. While, majority of the heat is released in the jet-like propagation zone for both the flames, significant heat is released in the neck zone of ungelled Jet A1 spray flame in comparison to ungelled Jet A1 spray flame due to intense turbulence and smaller droplet size.     

甲烷/空气预混气体火焰的传播特征

利用高速纹影摄像等技术探讨了密闭管道内不同当量比的甲烷/空气预混气体火焰的传播特征。结果表明,当甲烷含量接近当量值时,预混气体火焰传播中会发生火焰阵面由向未燃区弯曲到向已燃区弯曲的转折过程,逐渐由层流燃烧转变成湍流燃烧,并形成Tulip火焰结构;当甲烷含量偏离当量值一定程度时,预混火焰呈现出典型的层流燃烧特征,不会发生火焰阵面由向未燃区弯曲到向已燃区弯曲的转折过程。Tulip火焰结构形成于火焰传播速度迅速降低的区间里,且只有当减速阶段的最大加速度的绝对值大于某一数值时才能形成;Tulip火焰结构是预混火焰由层流燃烧向湍流燃烧转变的一个中间过程。