Flame-flow interactions and flow reversal

Gaurav Bansal, Hong G. Im, John K. Bechtold

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The interaction of a premixed methane/air flame with flow unsteadiness is studied computationally using a stagnation-point flow configuration. The problem is of fundamental interest and also relevant for turbulent combustion in the laminar flamelet regime. In the present study, of particular interest is the flame residing in a weakly strained flow field such that the flame is stabilized away from the viscous boundary layer adjacent to the stagnation plane and is free to move in response to flow perturbations. An unsteady sinusoidal strain rate field is imposed on the flame, and an extensive parametric study is conducted by varying the frequency and amplitude of strain rate fluctuation. It is found that for high frequencies and large amplitudes, flow direction reverses upstream of the flame, thereby establishing a new stagnation plane in the preheat zone ahead of the flame. This observation indicates that the flame strongly effects the upstream flow field and could also possibly explain the reported occurence of flow reversal in experimental studies of turbulent jet flames. Lewis number effects on flame-flow interaction and flow reversal is studied by investigating highly lean (Le < 1) and rich (Le > 1) hydrogen/air flames. Comparisons of the results are made with an earlier theoretical study of flame-flow interactions incorporating a hydrodynamic model

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition
StatePublished - 2010
Event48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition - Orlando, FL, United States
Duration: Jan 4 2010Jan 7 2010

Publication series

Name48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition

Other

Other48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando, FL
Period1/4/101/7/10

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering

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