Premixed turbulent flame front structure investigation by Rayleigh scattering in the thin reaction zone regime

Premixed turbulent flames of methane–air and propane–air stabilized on a bunsen type burner were studied using planar Rayleigh scattering and particle image velocimetry. The fuel–air equivalence ratio range was from lean 0.6 to stoichiometric for methane flames, and from 0.7 to stoichiometric for propane flames. The non-dimensional turbulence rms velocity, u′/S_L, covered a range from 3 to 24, corresponding to conditions of corrugated flamelets and thin reaction zones regimes. Flame front thickness increased slightly with increasing non-dimensional turbulence rms velocity in both methane and propane flames, although the flame thickening was more prominent in propane flames. The probability density function of curvature showed a Gaussian-like distribution at all turbulence intensities in both methane and propane flames, at all sections of the flame.The value of the term Dκ, the product of molecular diffusivity evaluated at reaction zone conditions and the flame front curvature, has been shown to be smaller than the magnitude of the laminar burning velocity. This finding questions the validity of extending the level set formulation, developed for corrugated flames region, into the thin reaction zone regime by increasing the local flame propagation by adding the term Dκ to laminar burning velocity.     

Flame front analysis of high-pressure turbulent lean premixed methane–air flames

An experimental study on lean turbulent premixed methane–air flames at high pressure is conducted by using a turbulent Bunsen flame configuration. A single equivalence ratio flame at Φ = 0.6 is explored for pressures ranging from atmospheric pressure to 0.9 MPa. LDA measurements of the cold flow indicate that turbulence intensities and the integral length scale are not sensitive to pressure. Due to the decreased kinematic viscosity with increasing pressure, the turbulent Reynolds numbers increase, and isotropic turbulence scaling relations indicate a large decrease of the smallest turbulence scales. Available experimental results and PREMIX code computations indicate a decrease in laminar flame propagation velocities with increasing pressure, essentially between the atmospheric pressure and 0.5 MPa. The u′/S_L ratio increases therefore accordingly. Instantaneous flame images are obtained by Mie scattering tomography. The images and their analysis show that pressure increase generates small scale flame structures. In an attempt to generalize these results, the variance of the flamelet curvatures, the standard deviation of the flamelet orientation angle, and the flamelet crossing lengths have been plotted against which is proportional to the ratio between the integral and Taylor length scales, and which increases with pressure. These three parameters vary linearly with the ratio between large and small turbulence scales and clearly indicate the strong effect of this parameter on premixed turbulent flame dynamics and structure. An obvious consequence is the increase in flame surface density and hence burning rate with pressure, as confirmed by its direct determination from 2D tomographic images.     

Nonlinear kinematic response of premixed flames to harmonic velocity disturbances

This paper analyzes the nonlinear dynamics of premixed flames responding to harmonic velocity disturbances. These nonlinear dynamics were studied by solving a constant flame speed front tracking equation for the flame’s response to harmonically oscillating velocity disturbances. The solution to these equations is used to quantify the transfer function relating the ratio of the normalized flame area to velocity fluctuations, G = (A′/A_o)/(u′/u_o), upon the amplitude of velocity oscillations, ε = u′/u_o. Due to nonlinearities, the amplitude of this transfer function relative to its linear value decreases with increasing amplitude of velocity oscillation, u′/u_o. In contrast, the transfer function phase exhibits almost no amplitude dependence. The velocity amplitude where transfer function nonlinearities become significant depends strongly upon three parameters: a Strouhal number, St = ωL_f/u_o (where L_f is the flame length), the ratio of the flame length to width, β = L_f/R, and the flame shape in the absence of perturbations (i.e., conical, inverted wedge, etc.). In the linear case, the transfer function, G, depends only upon an algebraic combination of the first two parameters, given by St₂ = St (1 + β²)/β². In general, however, G exhibits a distinct dependence upon both parameters St and β. In particular, we show that the nonlinear response of G is an intrinsically dynamic phenomenon; i.e., its quasi-steady response (St 1) is purely linear. As such, nonlinearity is enhanced with increasing Strouhal numbers. In contrast, nonlinearity is suppressed at large β values; as such, the response of a long flame remains quite similar to its linear value, even at large ε values where the flame front exhibits substantial corrugation and cusping. Finally, we show that the response of conical flames remains much more linear at comparable disturbance amplitudes than for “V” or wedge-shaped flames. These predictions are shown to be consistent with available experimental data.     

Experimental low-stretch gaseous diffusion flames in buoyancy-induced flowfields

The present study experimentally investigates the structure and instabilities associated with extremely low-stretch (1 s⁻¹) gaseous diffusion flames. Ultra-low-stretch flames are established in normal gravity by bottom burning of a methane/nitrogen mixture discharged from a porous spherically symmetric burner of large radius of curvature. OH-PLIF and IR imaging techniques are used to characterize the reaction zone and the burner surface temperature, respectively. A flame stability diagram mapping the response of the ultra-low-stretch diffusion flame to varying fuel injection rate and nitrogen dilution is explored. In this diagram, two main boundaries are identified. These boundaries separate the stability diagram into three regions: sooting flame, non-sooting flame, and extinction. Two distinct extinction mechanisms are noted. For low fuel injection rates, flame extinction is caused by heat loss to the burner surface. For relatively high injection rates, at which the heat loss to burner surface is negligible, flame radiative heat loss is the dominant extinction mechanism. There also exists a critical inert dilution level beyond which the flame cannot be sustained. The existence of multi-dimensional flame phenomena near the extinction limits is also identified. Various multi-dimensional flame patterns are observed, and their evolutions are studied using direct chemiluminescence and OH-PLIF imaging. The results demonstrate the usefulness of the present burner configuration for the study of low-stretch gaseous diffusion flames.     

Microgravity experiments of single droplet combustion in oscillatory flow at elevated pressure

An experimental study for 1-butanol single droplet flames in constant and oscillatory flow fields was conducted under microgravity conditions at elevated pressure. In the constant flow experiments, flow velocities from 0 to 40 cm/s were tested. Using obtained data of d², the burning rate constants were evaluated. The burning rate constant in the quiescent condition was also calculated successfully at high pressure by the extrapolation method based on the Frössling relation. In the oscillatory flow experiments, the flow velocities were varied from 0 to 40 cm/s at the frequencies of 2–40 Hz. Results showed that the burning rate constant during the droplet lifetime varied following the quasi-steady relation at 0.1 MPa; however, in the conditions with higher frequencies at 0.4 MPa, the average burning velocity became larger than that for the constant flow case with the velocity equivalent to the maximum velocity in the oscillatory flow. Under the condition where the burning rate constant increased, it was observed that the flame did not sufficiently move back upstream, leading to enhancement of the heat transfer from the flame to the droplet surface. Therefore, the instantaneous burning rate constant increased. To investigate the mechanism of such flame behavior, the ratio of two characteristic times, τ_f/τ_D (τ_f: flow oscillation characteristic time, τ_D: diffusion characteristic time), were compared. As the flow oscillatory frequency increased, τ_f/τ_D becomes smaller. τ_f/τ_D also became smaller at high pressure. If τ_f/τ_D is small due to the small mass diffusion rate, the droplet flame could not move back to the appropriate position for the minimum velocity in steady flow, leading to an increase of the burning rate constant, especially in the case of higher frequency at high pressure.     

The measurement of R2, and R2′ in HIV-infected patients using the prime sequence as a measure of brain iron deposition

Brain iron deposition was assessed at 1.5 T in the caudate nucleus, globus pallidus and frontal and parietooccipital white matter in 28 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and 15 control subjects with a new Partially Refocussed Interleaved Multi-Echo sequence by measuring 1/T₂, 1/T₂^* and 1/T2′ (i.e., R₂, and R₂′). There were significant differences in the R₂ and of the caudate nucleus (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.05) and the R₂, and R₂′ of the globus pallidus (p < 0.001, p < 0.005 and p < 0.05) in HIV-infected patients compared to control subjects. There was a trend for higher values of R₂, and R₂′ in the globus pallidus and caudate nucleus in HIV-infected patients with later stage HIV disease. These results suggest that there is greater iron deposition in the basal ganglia of HIV-infected patients compared with control subjects, with a predilection for the globus pallidus. The relationship between iron deposition in the brain and various parameters of severity of HIV infection remains uncertain.     

CO2 addition and pressure effects on laminar and turbulent lean premixed CH4 air flames

An experimental study on CH₄–CO₂–air flames at various pressures is conducted by using both laminar and turbulent Bunsen flame configurations. The aim of this research is to contribute to the characterization of fuel lean methane/carbon dioxide/air premixed laminar and turbulent flames at different pressures, by studying laminar and turbulent flame propagation velocities, the flame surface density and the instantaneous flame front wrinkling parameters. PREMIX computations and experimental results indicate a decrease of the laminar flame propagation velocities with increasing CO₂ dilution rate. Instantaneous flame images are obtained by Mie scattering tomography. The image analysis shows that although the height of the turbulent flame increases with the CO₂ addition rate, the flame structure is quite similar. This implies that the flame wrinkling parameters and flame surface density are indifferent to the CO₂ addition. However, the pressure increase has a drastic effect on both parameters. This is also confirmed by a fractal analysis of instantaneous images. It is also observed that the combustion intensity S_T/S_L increases both with pressure and the CO₂ rate. Finally, the mean fuel consumption rate decreases with the CO₂ addition rate but increases with the pressure.     

Lewis number effects on laminar and turbulent expanding flames of NH3/H2/air mixtures at elevated pressures

This study clarifies the effects of Lewis number (Le) on laminar and turbulent expanding flames of NH₃/H₂/air mixtures. The laminar burning velocity (S_L) and turbulent burning velocity (S_T) were measured using a medium-scale, fan-stirred combustion chamber with ammonia/hydrogen molar ratio (NH₃/H₂) of 50/50 and 80/20 under the maximum pressures of 5 atm. The lean laminar flame with NH₃/H₂ = 50/50 is significantly accelerated by the diffusional–thermal instability, which dominated the trend of S_T,c=0.1 with the equivalence ratio (ϕ). The lean normalized turbulent burning velocity (S_T/S_L) increases with the decrease of hydrogen content due to the weakening effects of S_L. However, the S_T/S_L reaches peak with hydrogen volumetric content less than 20% due to effects made by diffusional–thermal instability than S_L did. The turbulent flame of NH₃/H₂/air mixtures is characterized by self-similar acceleration propagation, and propagation with Le < 1 is faster. A modified correlation considering the effects of Le was proposed, as (d<r>/dt)/σS_L = 0.118(Re_T,flameLe⁻²)^0.57, which was able to predict not only the self-similar propagation of NH₃/H₂/air but also the previous syngas/air flames. The Kobayashi correlations modified by three kinds of Le power exponents were used to clarify the effects of Le by comparing their fitting parameters and predictive powers on experimental data and literature data. Similar pre-factors, power exponents and the goodness of fit (R²) were obtained with Le ranging from 0.58 to 1.62, which suggested that the determination of Le power exponent had no significant effect on the prediction accuracy of the S_T/S_L trend with data of Le near unity. This might be attributed to the fact that the variation ranges of the dimensionless number that characterizes the experimental conditions is much larger than that of the Le.     

Stabilization mechanism of turbulent premixed flames in strongly swirled flows

The stabilization of turbulent premixed flames in strongly swirled flows undergoing vortex breakdown is studied in the case of the ALSTOM En-Vironmental (EV) double cone burner using a simple one-dimensional boundary layer type model and computational fluid dynamics, mainly at the level of large-eddy simulation. The analysis shows that, due to flame curvature effects, the flame speed on the combustor axis is 2 D _t/R _F lower than the turbulent burning rate, where D _t is a characteristic turbulent diffusion coefficient and R _F the flame radius of curvature. Flame propagation with negative speed observed in the experiments, i.e. the flame completely embedded in the central recirculation zone on the symmetry axis, is explained with the one-dimensional model as caused by the factor 2 D _t/R _F being larger than the characteristic turbulent burning rate. A peculiar sudden displacement of the flame anchoring location deep into the burner, which takes place experimentally at a critical value of the equivalence ratio, cannot however be explained with the present one-dimensional approach due to the modelling assumptions. The mathematical analysis is supported in this case with large-eddy simulation which can accurately reproduce the flame behaviour across the full operating range. It is finally shown that steady RANS methods cannot cope with the problem due to their inability to correctly predict the velocity flowfield in this burner.     

Electron Temperature Measurement in a Premixed Flat Flame Using the Double Probe Method

The electron temperatures T_e were measured using a double probe in a premixed methane flame produced by a calibration burner according to Hartung et al. The experiment was performed at atmospheric pressure. In contrast to other authors, we have managed to find typical nonlinearities corresponding to the retarding electron current region and to calculate electron temperatures using a suitable fit on the basis of the measured characteristics. A Pt‐Rh thermocouple was used to measure temperatures T_h corresponding to “heavy” species. Our results indicate that the flame plasma can be considered to be weakly non‐isothermic — T_e = (2400–4000) K, T_h = (1400–1600) K. On the basis of measurement of the saturated ion current, the number density of the charged particles was estimated at (0.3–3.8) · 10¹⁷ m^‐3. The trends in T_e and T_h in dependence on the positions of the probes and thermocouple in the flame differ substantially; this fact has not yet been explained (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effects of L-spin longitudinal quadrupolar relaxation in heteronuclear recoupling and S-spin magic-angle spinning NMR

In experiments on S–L heteronuclear spin systems with evolution of the S-spin magnetization under the influence of a quadrupolar nucleus (L-spin), effects of longitudinal quadrupolar (T_1Q) relaxation of the L-spin coherence on the sub-millisecond time scale have been documented and explored, and methods for minimizing their effect have been demonstrated. The longitudinal relaxation results in heteronuclear dephasing even in the reference signal S₀ of S{L} REDOR, REAPDOR, RIDER, or SPIDER experiments, due to T_1Q-relaxation of the transiently generated S_yL_z coherence, reducing or even eliminating the observable dephasing ΔS. Pulse sequences for measuring an improved reference signal S₀₀ with minimal heteronuclear recoupling but the same number of pulses as for S₀ and S have been demonstrated. From the observed intensity ΔS₀ = S₀₀ − S₀ and the SPIDER signal ΔS/S₀, T_1Q can be estimated. Accelerated decays analogous to the dipolar S₀ curves will occur in T₂ measurements for J-coupled S–L spin pairs. Even in the absence of recoupling pulses, fast T_1Q relaxation of the unobserved nucleus shortens the transverse relaxation time T_2S,MAS of the observed nucleus, in particular at low spinning frequencies, due to unavoidable heteronuclear dipolar evolution during a rotation period. The observed spinning-frequency dependence of T_2S,MAS matches the theoretical prediction and may be used to estimate T_1Q. The effects are demonstrated on several ¹³C{¹⁴N} spin systems, including an arginine derivative, the natural N-acetylated polysaccharide chitin, and a model peptide, (POG)₁₀.     

Influence of the spectral power distribution of a LED on the illuminance responsivity of a photometer

The measurement accuracy in the photometric quantities measured through photometer head is determined by the value of the spectral mismatch correction factor (c(S_t,S_s)), which is defined as a function of spectral power distribution of light sources, besides illuminance responsivity of the photometer head used. This factor is more important when photometric quantities of the light-emitting diode (LED) style optical sources, which radiate within relatively narrow spectral bands as compared with that of other optical sources, are being measured. Variations of the illuminance responsivities of various V(λ)-adopted photometer heads are discussed. High-power-colored LEDs, manufactured by Lumileds Lighting Co., were used as light sources and their relative spectral power distributions (RSPDs) were measured using a spectrometer-based optical setup. Dependences of the c(S_t,S_s) factors of three types of photometer heads (f₁′=1.4%, f₁′=0.8% and f₁′=0.5%) with wavelength and influences of the factors on the illuminance responsivities of photometer heads are presented.     

Laminar and unstable burning velocities and Markstein lengths of hydrogen–air mixtures at engine-like conditions

Hydrogen offers an attractive alternative to conventional fuels for use in spark ignition engines. It can be burned over a very wide range of equivalence ratios and with considerable exhaust gas recirculation. These help to minimise pumping losses through throttleless operation and oxides of nitrogen (NO_x) production through reduced temperature. Full understanding of hydrogen-fuelled engine operation requires data on the laminar burning rate of hydrogen–air residuals under a wide range of conditions. However, such data are sparse. The present work addresses this need for experimental data. Spherically expanding H₂–air flames were measured at a range of temperatures, pressures, and equivalence ratios and with varying concentrations of residuals of combustion. Unstretched burning velocities, u_l, and Markstein lengths, L_b, were determined from stable flames. At the higher pressures, hydrodynamic and diffusional-thermal instabilities caused the flames to be cellular from inception and prohibited the derivation of values of u_l and L_b. The effect of pressure on the burning rate was demonstrated to have opposing trends when comparing stoichiometric and lean mixtures. The present measurements were compared with those available in the literature, and discrepancies were attributed to neglect, in some works, the effects of stretch and instabilities. From the present measurements, the effects of pressure, temperature, and residual gas concentration on burning velocity are quantified for use in a first step towards a general correlation.     

An experimental realization of an unstrained, planar diffusion flame

A unique burner was constructed to experimentally realize a one-dimensional unstrained planar non-premixed flame, previously considered only in idealized theoretical models. One reactant, the fuel mixture in the current experiments, is supplied through a porous plug at the bottom of the combustion chamber and flows vertically up towards the horizontal flame. The crux of the design is the introduction of the oxidizer from above in such a way that its diffusion against the upward product flow is essentially one-dimensional, i.e., uniform over the burner cross-section. This feature was implemented by introducing the oxidizer into the burner chamber from the top through an array of 625 closely spaced hypodermic needles, and allowing the hot products to escape vertically up through the space between the needles. Due to the injection of oxidizer through discrete tubes, a three-dimensional “injection layer” exists below the exit plane of the oxidizer supply tubes. Experimental evidence suggests that this layer is thin and that oxidizer is supplied to the flame by 1-D counterdiffusion, producing a nearly unstrained flame. To characterize the burner, flame position measurements were conducted for different compositions and flowrates of H₂–CO₂ and O₂–CO₂ mixtures. The measured flame locations are compared to an idealized one-dimensional model in which only diffusion of oxidizer against the product flow is considered. The potential of the new burner is demonstrated by a study of cellular structures forming near the extinction limit. Consistent with previous investigations, cellular instabilities are shown to become more prevalent as the initial mixture strength and/or the Damköhler number are decreased. As the extinction limit is approached, the number of cells was observed to decrease progressively.     

Further studies of the sensitivities attainable in using three optical functions to calculate n, k and thickness for thin films

All 56 combinations of three optical functions chosen from R_s, R_p, T_s, T_p, Φ_rs, Φ_rp, Φ_ts and Φ_tp have been investigated to discover their regions of sensitivity in n, k and d/λ coordinate space. When the arrays of error parallelepipeds were plotted, single quadrant patterns of high sensitivity were generated by 21 of these combinations, these being the ones containing one photometric and two polarimetric functions; the best combination was R_pΦ_rpΦ_tp which was viable at all angles of incidence and all thicknesses up to d/λ = 0.08. The remaining 35 combinations produced two-lobe patterns which were insensitive at small angles of incidence but improved as the angle of incidence increased and were best at 60°.     

Extreme compression behaviour of equations of state

The extreme compression (P→∞) behaviour of various equations of state with K′_∞>0 yields (P/K)_∞=1/K′_∞, an algebraic identity found by Stacey. Here P is the pressure, K the bulk modulus, K^′=dK/dP, and K′_∞, the value of K^′ at P→∞. We use this result to demonstrate further that there exists an algebraic identity also between the higher pressure derivatives of bulk modulus which is satisfied at extreme compression by different types of equations of state such as the Birch–Murnaghan equation, Poirier–Tarantola logarithmic equation, generalized Rydberg equation, Keane's equation and the Stacey reciprocal K-primed equation. The identity has been used to find a relationship between λ_∞, the third-order Grüneisen parameter at P→∞, and pressure derivatives of bulk modulus with the help of the free-volume formulation without assuming any specific form of equation of state.     

Effect of local variations of the laminar flame speed on the global finger-flame acceleration scenario

Numerous formulations describing the dynamics and morphology of corrugated flames, including the scenarios of flame acceleration, are based on a “geometrical consideration”, where the wrinkled-to-planar flame velocities ratio, S_w /S_L , is evaluated as the scaled flame surface area, while the entire combustion chemistry is immersed into the planar flame speed S_L , which is assumed to be constant. However, S_L may experience noticeable spatial/temporal variations in practice, in particular, due to pressure/temperature variations as well as non-uniform distribution of the equivalence ratio and/or that of combustible or inert dust impurities. The present work initiates the systematic study of the impact of the local S_L -variations on the global flame evolution scenario. The variations are assumed to be imposed externally, in a manner being a free functional of the formulation. Specifically, the linear, parabolic and hyperbolic spatial S_L -distributions are incorporated into the formulations of finger flame acceleration in pipes, and they are compared to the case of constant S_L . Both two-dimensional channels and cylindrical tubes are considered. The conditions promoting or moderating flame acceleration are identified, and the revisited equations for the flame shape, velocity and acceleration rate are obtained for various S_L -distributions. The theoretical findings are validated by the computational simulations of the reacting flow equations, with agreement between the theory and modelling demonstrated.     

Flame structure of composite pseudo-propellants based on nitramines and azide polymers at high pressure

The chemical and thermal structures of flame of composite pseudo-propellants based on cyclic nitramines (HMX, RDX) and azide polymers (GAP and BAMO–AMMO copolymer) were investigated at a pressure of 1.0 MPa by molecular beam mass spectrometry and a microthermocouple technique. Eleven species H₂, H₂O, HCN, CO, CO₂, N₂, N₂O, CH₂O, NO, NO₂, and nitramine vapor (RDX_v or HMX_v), were identified, and their concentration profiles were measured in HMX/GAP and RDX/GAP pseudo-propellant flames at a pressure of 1 MPa. Two main zones of chemical reactions in the flame of nitramine/GAP pseudo-propellants were found. In the first, narrow, zone 0.1 mm wide (adjacent to the burning surface), complete consumption of nitramine vapor and NO₂ with the formation of NO, HCN, CO, H₂, and N₂ occurs. In the second, wider high-temperature zone, oxidation of HCN and CH₂O by NO and N₂O with the subsequent formation of CO, H₂, and N₂ takes place. The leading reactions in the high-temperature zone of flame of nitramine/GAP pseudo-propellants are the same as in the case of pure nitramines. In the case of nitramine/BAMO–AMMO pseudo-propellants a presence of carbonaceous particles on the burning surface did not allow us to analyze the zone adjacent to the burning surface, therefore only one flame zone was found. Temperature profiles in the combustion wave of nitramine/azide polymer pseudo-propellants were measured at 1 MPa. The data obtained can be used to develop and validate a self-sustain combustion model for pseudo-propellants based on nitramines and azide polymers.     

Burning velocity of triple flames with gentle concentration gradient

We investigated the local flame speed of a two-dimensional, methane-air triple flame in a rectangular burner. The velocity fields and the concentration profiles were measured with particle image velocimetry and the Rayleigh scattering method, respectively. There was a requisite combination of initial velocity and initial concentration gradient for consistency of the local concentration gradient at the leading edge of the flame. In these cases, the flame curvatures were also consistent. Accordingly, the burning velocity, defined as local flow velocity at the triple point, was determined by the flame curvature. The burning velocity increased with increasing flame curvature, when the curvature was near zero. After that, the burning velocity decreased with increasing curvature. The peak value thus exceeded the adiabatic one-dimensional laminar burning velocity. Comparing the effects of the measured flame stretch rate on the flow strain κ_s and flame curvature κ_c, κ_s is larger and increases more rapidly than κ_c for flame curvatures satisfying 1/R_f < 250 m⁻¹ and then becomes constant while κ_c still increases for 250 m⁻¹ < 1/R_f, so that κ_c becomes much larger than κ_s. There is also a peak in burning velocity at roughly the transition in flame curvature specified above. Therefore, the burning velocity for a low concentration gradient correlates with the flame stretch rate.