Vortex structures and temperature fluctuations in a bluff-body burner

Vortical and thermal structures of non-premixed propane flame in a bluff-body burner are studied experimentally in the transition from laminar to turbulent flow. In particular, we focus attention on the effect of annular air flow on the flame. The small-scale inner vortices inside the flame is stimulated by the annular air flow, and outside the flame, small eddies due to turbulence rather than the large-scale outer vortices due to thermal buoyancy become dominant with increasing air velocity. The interrelation between the vortical and thermal structures is analyzed by looking at the frequency spectrum and probability density function of temperature fluctuations.