On the fractal characteristics of low Damköhler number flames

Knowledge of the fractal properties of premixed flame surfaces can potentially be used to help develop turbulent combustion models. Here, direct numerical simulations of low Damköhler number flames are used to analyse the fractal nature of the flames. Two sets of data are considered: (i) thermochemical hydrogen–air turbulent premixed plane-jet flames with detailed chemistry and (ii) thermonuclear flames in type Ia supernovae. A three-dimensional box counting method is used to investigate fractal dimension of the flame surface, characterising the self similarity of flame fronts. In the premixed flames, the fractal dimension is found to vary in time between 2.1 and 2.7. The supernovae flames in distributed combustion regimes yield fractal dimension about 2.7. The results for the maximum fractal dimensions are higher than previously reported. They are explained theoretically by a Reynolds number similarity argument which posits that the high Reynolds number, low Damköhler number limiting value of the fractal dimension is 8/3. Also tested is Mandelbrot’s fractal additive law which relates the fractal dimension determined in two dimensions, which is typical of experimental measurements, to that in three dimensions. The comparison of the fractal dimension in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional spaces supports the additive law, even though the flames considered do not formally satisfy isotropy. Finally, the inner-cut off is extracted from the hydrogen flames and found to be consistent in order of magnitude with Kolmogorov scaling.     

A petascale direct numerical simulation study of the modelling of flame wrinkling for large-eddy simulations in intense turbulence

A new set of petascale direct numerical simulations (DNS) modelling lean hydrogen combustion with detailed chemistry in a temporally evolving slot-jet configuration is presented as a database for the development and validation of models for premixed turbulent combustion. The jet Reynolds number is 10,000, requiring grid numbers up to nearly seven billion, which was achieved by computation on 120,000 processor cores. In contrast to many prior DNS studies, a mean shear exists that drives strong turbulent mixing within the flame structure. Three cases are simulated with different Damköhler numbers, while Reynolds number is held fixed. Basic statistics are presented showing that integrated burning rates up to approximately six times the laminar burning rate are obtained. It is shown that increased flame surface area accounts for most of the enhanced burning while increases in the burning rate per unit area also play an important contribution.The database is then used to assess a new model of flame wrinkling intended for large-eddy simulations (LES). The approach draws on concepts from fractal geometry, requiring the modelling of an inner cut-off scale representing the smallest scale of flame wrinkling, and the fractal dimension controlling the resolution dependence of the unresolved flame surface area. In contrast to previous modelling, it is argued that the inner cut-off should be filter-size invariant in an inertial range. Then, dimensional and physical reasoning together with Damköhler’s limiting scaling laws for the turbulent flame speed are used to infer the cut-off and fractal dimension in limiting regimes. Two methods of determining the fractal dimension are proposed: a static, algebraic expression or a dynamic approach exploiting a Germano-type identity. Finally the model is compared against the DNS in a priori tests and is found to give excellent results, quantitatively capturing the trends with time, space, filter size and Damköhler number.     

Aspects of parabolic motion of MHD fluid flow past a vertical porous plate with cross-diffusion effects

In the presence of Soret and Dufour effects, a numerical analysis is performed for an unstable magnetohydrodynamics convective flow of parabolic motion with variable temperature and concentration. The finite-difference method is used to solve the set of nondimensional governing equations with boundary conditions numerically. Graphs are used to investigate the effect of various physical characteristics on flow quantities. Variations in skin friction, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number are also examined using tables for physical curiosity. This study is unique in that it takes into account changeable temperature as well as concentration with Soret and Dufour effects. The magnetic parameter, Prandtl number, heat source, radiation parameter, Schmidt number, and chemical reaction parameter show a significant increase in skin friction, whereas the Grashof number, modified Grashof number, permeability parameter, radiation absorption parameter, Dufour number, and Soret number show the opposite trend. As the Soret number rises, the concentration rises as well, whereas the opposite is true for the Schmidt number and the chemical reaction parameter. The current study is highly supported by previously published data that have been verified.     

Unsteady MHD fluid flow past an inclined vertical porous plate in the presence of chemical reaction with aligned magnetic field,radiation, and Soret effects

The aim of the present paper is to investigate the Soret effect due to mixed convection on unsteady magnetohydrodynamics flow past a semi-infinite vertical permeable moving plate in the presence of thermal radiation, heat absorption, and homogenous chemical reaction subjected to variable suction. The plate is assumed to be embedded in a uniform porous medium and moves with a constant velocity in the flow direction in the presence of a transverse magnetic field. The equations governing the flow are transformed into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations by using the perturbation technique. Graphical results for the velocity distribution, temperature distribution, and concentration distribution based on the numerical solutions are presented and discussed. Also, the effects of various parameters on the skin-friction coefficient and the rate of heat transfer in the form of Nusselt number, and rate of mass transfer in the form of Sherwood number at the surface are discussed. Velocity distribution is observed to increase with an increase in Soret number and in the presence of permeability, whereas it shows reverse effects in the case of the aligned magnetic field, inclined parameter, heat absorption coefficient, magnetic parameter, radiation parameter, and chemical reaction parameter.     

Color Changes of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) Pulp During Fruit Development,Ripening, and Storage

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) is a member of the dicotyledonous family Leguminosae. The fruit pulp has a pleasant acid taste and rich aroma, and thus, it is used as the chief souring agent for curries, sauces, and certain beverages. The unripe fruit pulp is green in color, while the ripe pulp is light brownish red. In storage, the brown pulp turns slowly to deep brown and finally black in color. In the present study, the cause of color changes during developmental stage, as well as during storage of tamarind pulp was investigated. Tamarind pulp in unripe condition (green pod) shows polyphenol oxidase activity up to 105 days of maturity of the fruit or until it ripens. Thereafter due to ripening there is a marked increase of reducing sugars and available lysine leading to Maillard reaction. This inhibits enzymatic browning in the ripe pulp during subsequent storage.     

The axisymmetric flow of an MHD Powell–Eyring fluid with viscous dissipation and Newtonian heating condition: Keller-box method

A special investigation on the heat transfer by applying viscous dissipation and considering the Newtonian heating condition in magnetohydrodynamic Powell–Eyring fluid has been attempted. It is regarded as the flow in an axisymmetrical direction over a radially stretching surface. The converted governing system of equations is solved to obtain a closed-form solution using the Keller-box technique. The skin-friction coefficient's influence fully developed local Nusselt number is then presented graphically, and temperature profiles are sorted out for the pertinent parameters. The fluid overshoot towards the plate surface with rising magnetic field strength, hence, both the fluid velocity and the hydrodynamic border line layer thickness will fall, though, the skin-friction coefficient will increase. Various relevant results of the energy indulgence have been discussed from heating and in view of viscous dissipation phenomena. The decision with minimal cases from previous studies in the literature received confirmation of the findings.