Self-excitation in laminar lifted free-jet propane flames diluted with nitrogen

Laminar lifted propane free-jet flames diluted with nitrogen were experimentally investigated to determine distinctive self-excitation regimes in the flame stability map and to elucidate the individual flame characteristics. Extremely low-frequency (<0.1 Hz) self-excitation was caused by conductive heat loss from the premixed wings to the trailing diffusion flame and could be explained by a proposed mechanism for edge flame extinction during triple-flame propagation as well as flame-front propagation. A newly observed heat-loss-induced flame blow-out mechanism was related to conductive heat loss from the premixed wings to the trailing diffusion flame. Additional self-excitation prior to flame blow-out was caused by buoyancy and also significantly affected by the conductive heat loss from the premixed wings to the trailing diffusion flame. This was explained in terms of triple-flame propagation and flame-front propagation. Self-excitation obtained in laminar lifted propane free-jet flames diluted with nitrogen was characterized by functional dependencies of the Strouhal number with related parameters.     

The behaviour of lifted oxy-fuel flames in burners with separated jets

Oxy-fuel combustion in separated-jet burners has been proven to increase thermal efficiency and to have a potential for NOx emission reduction. This paper presents an investigation into confined, turbulent, oxy-flames generated by a burner consisting of a central natural gas jet surrounded by two oxygen jets. The study is focused on the identifying the influence of burner parameters on the flame characteristics and topology, namely stability, lift-off height and flame length. The effects of the natural gas and oxygen jet exit velocities, the distance separating the jets and the deflection of oxygen jets towards the natural gas jet are examined. The OH chemiluminescence. Results show that the lift-off heights increase when jet exit velocities and the distance separating the jets are increased. The deflection of oxygen jets decreases the lift-off height and increases the volume of flame in the transversal plane. The flame length increases principally with the oxygen exit velocity and the separation distance, and decreases considerably when the angle of oxygen jets is increased.     

Lifted flames on fuel jets in co-flowing air

The three principal theories for the stabilization of lifted flames on turbulent jets of fuel are reviewed in the light of the most recent flame imaging experiments in the literature. Most of these experiments have been conducted with a small co-flow of air, but the observations are relevant to lift-off with higher ratios of co-flowing air to fuel jet velocity. The similarity solutions for jets in co-flow are developed, and data from a variety of fluid dynamic sources are assessed to yield the governing parameters for mean flow, turbulence and mixture fraction. New data for lifted flames on a methane jet in diffusing streams of co-flowing air are then presented. These data provide essential information on the intermittency, and on the properties of the jet conditioned on the presence of turbulent fluid. However, the co-flow lifts the flame to stabilize in better-mixed regions than in its absence. The ‘premixture’ model is confirmed for this situation, in which the lift-off heights were more than 20 jet diameters and where there is little intermittency at the stabilization radius. Nevertheless, mixing data for this geometry in the absence of a flame show that, with lift-off heights less than 20 jet diameters, the base of the flame would have been in the outer regions of the jet where the mixture of fuel in air only reaches stoichiometric proportions intermittently, with the passage of large eddies. Trading on many papers from the recent literature where this was the case, both experimental and computational insights as to the processes in this region are reviewed. A question remains about how ignition is maintained in these experiments with low turbulent lift-off. It is hypothesized that the mechanism is the diffusive heating of the slowly moving surrounding air which then provides an energy store for the incoming eddies. Further time-resolved observations of reaction zone and high temperature gas structure are required to test this model.     

Autoignited laminar lifted flames of propane in coflow jets with tribrachial edge and mild combustion

Characteristics of laminar lifted flames have been investigated experimentally by varying the initial temperature of coflow air over 800 K in the non-premixed jets of propane diluted with nitrogen. The result showed that the lifted flame with the initial temperature below 860 K maintained the typical tribrachial structure at the leading edge, which was stabilized by the balance mechanism between the propagation speed of tribrachial flame and the local flow velocity. For the temperature above 860 K, the flame was autoignited without having any external ignition source. The autoignited lifted flames were categorized in two regimes. In the case with tribrachial edge structure, the liftoff height increased nonlinearly with jet velocity. Especially, for the critical condition near blowout, the lifted flame showed a repetitive behavior of extinction and reignition. In such a case, the autoignition was controlled by the non-adiabatic ignition delay time considering heat loss such that the autoignition height was correlated with the square of the adiabatic ignition delay time. In the case with mild combustion regime at excessively diluted conditions, the liftoff height increased linearly with jet velocity and was correlated well with the square of the adiabatic ignition delay time.     

Effect of fuel composition on jet flames in a heated and diluted oxidant stream

The role of hydrogen addition on the structure of the Moderate or Intense Low oxygen Dilution (MILD) combustion regime is examined using a combination of experimental techniques and laminar flame calculations. Laser diagnostic imaging is used to simultaneously reveal the in situ distribution of the hydroxyl radical (OH), formaldehyde (H₂CO), and temperature using the Jet in Hot Coflow (JHC) burner. The fuels considered are natural gas, ethylene, and LPG (each diluted with hydrogen 1:1 by volume). Hydrogen addition to the primary fuel was found necessary to stabilise the flames. Further to the role of hydrogen in the stabilisation of the flames, hydrogen addition also leads to the reaction zone exhibiting similar structure for different primary fuel types. The independence of the reaction zone structure with hydrogen addition suggests that a wide variety of fuels may be usable for achieving MILD combustion.     

Stability of lifted flames in centerbody burner

The centerbody burner was designed with the objective of understanding the coupled processes of formation, growth, and burn-off of soot through decoupling them using recirculation zones (RZs). Experimentally it was found that the sooting characteristics of the centerbody burner could be altered dramatically via simple changes in the operating conditions. One of the interesting operating regimes in which a flame lifts off and forms a column of soot was identified when oxygen in the annulus air jet was reduced sufficiently. This paper describes the numerical studies performed to aid the understanding of lifted flames in the centerbody burner. A time-dependent, axisymmetric, detailed-chemistry CFD model is used. Combustion and PAH formation are modeled using the Wang–Frenklach (99 species and 1066 reactions) mechanism, and soot is simulated using a two-equation model of Lindstedt. Calculations have predicted the structure of the lifted flame very well. Two RZs [outer (ORZ) and inner (IRZ)] are formed between the fuel and air jets. A diffusion flame that is lifted-off the centerbody plate anchors steadily to the outer periphery of the ORZ. A near-perfect match between the computed and measured flame lift-off heights is achieved. RZs transport soot that is formed in the flame toward the face of the centerbody and create the soot column. Ethylene and its lighter fuel fragments that are formed in the RZs diffuse toward the annulus air jet and establish a mixing layer with the inwardly diffusing oxygen. Heat diffusing away from the RZs initiates autoignition reactions in the mixing layer. A flame with a triple-flame-base structure becomes established at a location where the ignition-delay time matches the residence time. Soot that is transported into the RZs is found to have a significant effect on the flame lift-off height. Numerical experiments are performed to aid the understanding of the relationship between soot and flame lift-off. Radiation from the soot decreases the temperature, slows the autoignition process, and increases the lift-off height. Soot oxidation consumes O and OH radicals, slows the autoignition reactions, and increases the lift-off height.     

Extinction of diffusion flames burning diluted methane and diluted propane in diluted air

A theoretical and experimental investigation of the extinction limits of counterflow diffusion flames burning methane and propane is outlined. A diffusion flame is stabilized between counterflowing streams of a fuel diluted with nitrogen and air diluted with nitrogen. Extinction limits for such flames were measured over a wide parametric range. Results for methane and propane were found to be in approximate agreement with previous measurements.The experimental results are interpreted by use of activation energy asymptotic theories developed previously. The gas-phase chemical reaction is approximated as a one step, irreversible process with a large value for the ratio of the activation energy characterizing the chemical reaction to the thermal energy in the flame. Equilibrium dissociation of products is neglected. The theoretical predictions are compared with experimental results, and the overall chemical kinetic rate parameters characterizing the gas-phase oxidation of methane and propane in a diffusion flame are deduced. The overall chemical kinetic rate parameters deduced by use of this procedure are valid only at flame temperatures where equilibrium dissociation is negligible. The scalar dissipation rate at extinction is predicted over a wide range.     

Acoustic enhancement of combustion in lifted nonpremixed jet flames

Lifted nonpremixed jet flames are often used in industrial processes and present inherent difficulties such as their reattachment to the burner, blowout, and poor combustion. One solution is to control the jet by acoustic forcing. For flames lifted in the hysteresis zone where anchoring may occur, forcing at high amplitudes and middle frequencies (around 200 Hz) changes the combustion regime and prevents reattachement. The common long yellow plume, due to soot radiation, vanishes. The flame becomes shorter, totally blue and stabilizes at a higher position above the burner. The phenomenon is explained using the results obtained by analyzing the flow dynamics with high-speed laser tomography, laser Doppler anemometry, particle image velocimetry, and Mie scattering techniques. Measurements show that the excitation periodically generates axial velocities higher than the maximum velocity of the hysteresis zone, leading to flame liftoff. Some primary and streamwise eddy vortices similar to natural instabilities develop during the jet deceleration. Contrary to the unexcited case, these structures, disorganized by the superimposition of the forcing wave, lead to quasi-homogeneous turbulence which provides efficient mixing and improves the combustion regime. Finally, the frequency is sufficiently high to avoid excessive fluctuations of the lift-off height and the reattachment to the burner.     

Autoignited laminar lifted flames of methane, ethylene, ethane, and n-butane jets in coflow air with elevated temperature

The autoignition characteristics of laminar lifted flames of methane, ethylene, ethane, and n-butane fuels have been investigated experimentally in coflow air with elevated temperature over 800 K. The lifted flames were categorized into three regimes depending on the initial temperature and fuel mole fraction: (1) non-autoignited lifted flame, (2) autoignited lifted flame with tribrachial (or triple) edge, and (3) autoignited lifted flame with mild combustion.For the non-autoignited lifted flames at relatively low temperature, the existence of lifted flame depended on the Schmidt number of fuel, such that only the fuels with Sc > 1 exhibited stationary lifted flames. The balance mechanism between the propagation speed of tribrachial flame and local flow velocity stabilized the lifted flames. At relatively high initial temperatures, either autoignited lifted flames having tribrachial edge or autoignited lifted flames with mild combustion existed regardless of the Schmidt number of fuel. The adiabatic ignition delay time played a crucial role for the stabilization of autoignited flames. Especially, heat loss during the ignition process should be accounted for, such that the characteristic convection time, defined by the autoignition height divided by jet velocity was correlated well with the square of the adiabatic ignition delay time for the critical autoignition conditions. The liftoff height was also correlated well with the square of the adiabatic ignition delay time.     

Laminar premixed flames in mixed-convection thermal plumes

A theoretical investigation of laminar premixed flames stabilized downstream of a line heat source for mixed-convection conditions is described. The analysis involves solution of the nonsimilar boundary layer equations for an ideal gas with a one-step reaction while neglecting radiation. A deflagration wave is always stabilized at some point downstream of the source for these assumptions, but its position often shifts rapidly from near to far from the source over a limited range of reaction parameters. Conditions at this shift can provide a practical estimate of necessary conditions for ignition (a wake/plume-ignition criterion) if it is assumed that flames far from the source are not observed due to transition to turbulence and quenching by surfaces. Increased free stream velocities have the following effects on the limit: the magnitude of flame position shifts is reduced, source strengths are increased, the flame moves closer to the source, and the rate of lateral spread of the flame is increased. Similar to other ignition and flame stability processes, large shifts, which are representative of well-defined limits, tend to disappear as the activation enery of reaction is reduced.     

Effect of hybrid coaxial air and hydrogen jets on fuel mixing at supersonic crossflow

In this research study, a computational method is applied to examine the impacts of coaxial hybrid air and fuel jets on fuel mixing at the supersonic cross-flow of Mach = 4. This study examined the coaxial air and fuel jet effects on main parameters i. e. circulation, mixing efficiency, and fuel penetration. Computational Fluid Dynamic is employed for the modelling of the coaxial jet at cross supersonic flow. Reynolds Average Navier-Stocks equations with SST turbulence model for achieving hydrodynamic feature of the main model. Impacts of air-jet pressure and nozzle configurations on fuel distribution are also presented and the main effective factors for efficient fuel mixing condition are explained. Our results disclosed that injection of coaxial air and fuel jets at supersonic cross airflow significantly improves the fuel penetration and mixing inside the combustion chamber. Flow study analysis shows that the coaxial injector augments the spiral feature of the fuel jet, which surges fuel mixing downstream. Our circulation analysis confirms that circulation strength increases in far away from an injector by the injection of a coaxial air jet.     

Analysis of jet flames and unignited jets from unintended releases of hydrogen

A combined experimental and modeling program is being carried out at Sandia National Laboratories to characterize and predict the behavior of unintended hydrogen releases. In the case where the hydrogen leak remains unignited, knowledge of the concentration field and flammability envelope is an issue of importance in determining consequence distances for the safe use of hydrogen. In the case where a high-pressure leak of hydrogen is ignited, a classic turbulent jet flame forms. Knowledge of the flame length and thermal radiation heat flux distribution is important to safety. Depending on the effective diameter of the leak and the tank source pressure, free jet flames can be extensive in length and pose significant radiation and impingement hazard, resulting in consequence distances that are unacceptably large. One possible mitigation strategy to potentially reduce the exposure to jet flames is to incorporate barriers around hydrogen storage equipment. The reasoning is that walls will reduce the extent of unacceptable consequences due to jet releases resulting from accidents involving high-pressure equipment. While reducing the jet extent, the walls may introduce other hazards if not configured properly. The goal of this work is to provide guidance on configuration and placement of these walls to minimize overall hazards using a quantitative risk assessment approach. The program includes detailed CFD calculations of jet flames and unignited jets to predict how hydrogen leaks and jet flames interact with barriers, complemented by an experimental validation program that considers the interaction of jet flames and unignited jets with barriers.     

Impact of gas-phase reactions in the mixing region upstream of a diesel fuel autothermal reformer

The use of diesel fuel to power a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) presents several challenges. A major issue is deposit formation in either the external reformer, the anode channel, or within the SOFC anode itself. One potential cause of deposit formation under autothermal reforming conditions is the onset of gas-phase reactions upsteam of the catalyst to form ethylene, a deposit precursor. Another potential problem is improper mixing of the fuel, air, and steam streams. Incomplete mixing leads to fuel rich gas pockets in which gas phase pyrolysis chemistry might be accelerated to produce even more ethylene. We performed a combined experiment/modeling analysis to identify combinations of temperature and reaction time that might lead to deposit formation. Two alkanes, n-hexane and n-dodecane, were selected as surrogates for diesel fuel since a detailed mechanism is available for these species. This mechanism was first validated against n-hexane pyrolysis data. It was then used to predict fuel conversion and ethylene production under a variety of reforming conditions, ranging from steam reforming to catalytic partial oxidation. Assuming that the reactants are perfectly mixed at 800 K, the predictions suggest that a mixture must reach the catalyst in less than 0.1 s to avoid formation of potentially troublesome quantities of ethylene. Additional calculations using a simple model to account for improper mixing demonstrate the need for the components to be transported to the catalyst on a much shorter time scale, since both the relatively lean and relatively rich regions react faster and rapidly form ethylene.     

Laminar and axisymmetric vertical jets in a stably stratified environment

Experiments have shown that an axisymmetric, laminar, buoyant jet in a stably stratified environment induces the flow of a toroidal cell around itself. The inner portion of the cell is driven upward by the viscous shearing of the jet, and the outer portion descends due to a negative buoyancy force. Under certain limiting conditions, this cell draws along a thin layer of the lower density jet and surrounds itself with it in the form of a shroud. The shroud flows in a direction opposite to the jet, and its density is similar to that of the jet. Conditions favorable to shroud production require that the environment be stably stratified and that the molecular diffusivities of the fluids involved be extremely small. Turbulent jets are not expected to produce an appreciable shroud.     

Turbulent lifted flames in a vitiated coflow investigated using joint PDF calculations

The joint velocity-turbulence frequency-composition PDF method is applied to a lifted turbulent jet flame with H₂/N₂ fuel issuing into a wide coflow of lean combustion products, which are at a temperature of 1045 K. Model calculations with detailed chemistry are performed using three existing mixing models (IEM, MC, and EMST) and two chemistry mechanisms (the Mueller and Li mechanisms). Numerically accurate results are obtained and compared with the experimental data. Recent experiments have shown that the stabilization height of this lifted flame is very sensitive to the coflow temperature, much more than to the inlet velocity profile or the initial temperature of the fuel. One percent (i.e., 10 K) change in the coflow temperature (which is well within the experimental uncertainty) can double the lift-off height. The joint PDF calculations capture this sensitivity very well and are in good agreement with the measurements for the velocity, mixture fraction, and species. The three mixing models give relatively similar results, implying that the cases studied here are mainly controlled by chemical kinetics. The Li mechanism results in earlier ignition than the Mueller mechanism and hence gives shorter lift-off heights over the whole test range. The joint PDF calculations generally give better agreement with the measurements than previous composition PDF calculations [A.R. Masri et al., Combust. Theory Modelling 8 (2004) 1-22]. A new parallel algorithm, involving domain partitioning of particles, has been implemented to facilitate these computations.     

Transport budgets in turbulent lifted flames of methane autoigniting in a vitiated co-flow

Autoignition of hydrocarbon fuels is an outstanding research problem of significant practical relevance in engines and gas turbine applications. This paper presents a numerical study of the autoignition of methane, the simplest in the hydrocarbon family. The model burner used here produces a simple, yet representative lifted jet flame issuing in a vitiated surrounding. The calculations employ a composition probability density function (PDF) approach coupled to the commercial CFD package, FLUENT. The in situ adaptive tabulation (ISAT) method is used to implement detailed chemical kinetics. An analysis of species concentrations and transport budgets of convection, turbulent diffusion, and chemical reaction terms is performed with respect to selected species at the base of the lifted turbulent flames. This analysis provides a clearer understanding of the mechanism and the dominant species that control autoignition. Calculations are also performed for test cases that clearly distinguish autoignition from premixed flame propagation, as these are the two most plausible mechanisms for flame stabilization for the turbulent lifted flames under investigation. It is revealed that a radical pool of precursors containing minor species such as CH₃, CH₂O, C₂H₂, C₂H₄, C₂H₆, HO₂, and H₂O₂ builds up prior to autoignition. The transport budgets show a clear convective-reactive balance when autoignition occurs. This is in contrast to the reactive-diffusive balance that occurs in the reaction zone of premixed flames. The buildup of a pool of radical species and the convective-reactive balance of their transport budgets are deemed to be good indicators of the occurrence of autoignition.