Abstract: | Experiments on enclosed laminar diffusion flames have revealed the existence of a critical relative velocity of air and fuel which is associated with the threshold of low frequency flame vibration. Starting from the hypothesis that these vibrations are triggered by a selectively amplified disturbance arising in the free shear layers near the base of the flame, the authors have obtained evidence of the nature of the disturbance. Further systematic experiments have enabled them to account for the observed behavior of low frequency vibrating diffusion flames in the light of their hypothesis and in relation to the acoustical properties of their combustion system. |