Ignition and transient dynamics of sub-limit premixed flames in microchannels

We examine, via two-dimensional numerical simulation of a model system, some unsteady transient ignition scenarios and sustained oscillatory combustion modes that can occur in a single-pass, conductive channel, premixed microburner. These issues are relevant to the problem of ignition, evolution to stable combustion and the operational modes of microcombustors. First, we describe an unsteady ignition sequence that may occur when a single-pass microburner with initially cold walls has its exit walls heated and maintained at a fixed temperature. In particular, we demonstrate that as the heat from the exit walls propagates down the microburner walls, a reaction wave is driven rapidly down the channel towards the inlet via a sequence of oscillatory ignition and quenching transients. This scenario has been observed experimentally during the ignition of a single-pass microburner. Secondly, we show how an initial axial wall temperature gradient can lead to a variety of sustained combustion modes within the channel, including stable stationary flames, regimes of periodic motion involving quenching and re-ignition, regimes of regular oscillatory combustion, and regimes consisting of a combination of re-ignition/quenching events and regular oscillatory motions, all of which have been observed experimentally.