Propagation and extinction of premixed edge-flames

Abstract
The propagation rates (U ) of edge-flames in premixed hydrocarbon-oxygen-inert mixtures were measured as a function of global strain rate (σ), mixture strength, and (by changing fuel and inert type) Lewis number (Le). Using a counterflow slot-jet burner with electrical heaters at both ends to anchor the flame edges, both advancing (positive U ) and retreating (negative U ) edge-flames were characterized. Results are presented for both twin (premixed gas against premixed gas) and single (premixed gas against cold inert gas) edge-flames in terms of the effects of a non-dimensional strain rate (ε) and non-dimensional heat loss (κ) on a scaled propagation rate. U showed a strong dependence on Le and flames images show that high (low) Le lead to weaker (stronger) edge-flame burning intensity. U for single edge-flames scaled with the square root of the unburned to burned gas density ratio in a manner similar to nonpremixed flames whereas for premixed flames U scaled linearly with density ratio. Edge-flames exhibited two extinction limits corresponding to a high-. σ strain induced limit and a low-. σ heat loss induced limit; a simple description of the low-. σ limits was proposed and found to correlate well with experiments in twin-premixed, single-premixed, and nonpremixed edge-flames over more than a two-decade range of κ. Results are in good qualitative and reasonable quantitative agreement with simple theories except that retreating twin edge-flames in high-Le mixtures are predicted theoretically but were not observed experimentally.

Citation
Clayton DB, Cha MS, Ronney PD (2018) Propagation and extinction of premixed edge-flames. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.proci.2018.06.075.

Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the U. S. National Science Foundation under grant CBET-1236892. MSC was supported by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

Publisher
Elsevier BV

Journal
Proceedings of the Combustion Institute

DOI
10.1016/j.proci.2018.06.075

Additional Links
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S154074891830258X

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