Abstract
The detailed mixing, combustion and ignition processes occurring in a flow field under the influence of resonant acoustic perturbations are discussed. These acoustic perturbations were created by a pulse combustor of the “Heimholtz” type.
During the first two-thirds of the resonant cycle the inlet jet forms a well-defined toroidal vortex that is phase-locked with the combustor cycle. This toroidal vortex is responsible for the convection and mixing of the reactants with the residual hot products. Although chemiluminescence is always present in quiescent regions of the combustor, none exists in the region of the reactants during injection. Moreover, the combustion of the fresh reactants begins late in the cycle along the outer edges of the rolled up toroidal vortex, and not in the quiescent regions of the flow. The combustion of the reactants moves into the center of this toroidal vortex where rapid uniform ignition and subsequent combustion of the fresh reactants occurs. Vortex dynamic modeling of this flow using a flamelet formulation for combustion shows that a principle ignition delay mechanism is that of fluid dynamic stretch. This highly strained flow field suppresses ignition during the injection part of the cycle providing a mechanism to thoroughly mix the fresh with residual products preparing them for a rapid, almost volumetric, combustion process initiated by thermal and/or radical ignition.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Keller, J.O., L. Vaneveld, D. Korschelt, G.L. Hubbard, A.F. Ghonem, J.W. Daily, and A.K. Oppenheim, “Mechanism of Instabilities in Turbulent Combustion Leading to Flashback,” AIAA Journal, Vol. 20, 254, 1982.
Poinsot, T., D. Veynante, F. Bourienne, S. Candel, E. Esposito and J. Surget, “Initiation and Suppression of Combustion Instabilities by Active Control,” Twenty-Second Symposium (International) on Combustion, 1363–1370, The Combustion Institute, Pittsburgh, 1988.
Bhafouriana, A., J. Frost, and J. W. Daily, “Instability Peak Frequency Fluctuations in a Model Ramjet,” Presented at the joint spring technical meeting of the Western States/Canadian Sections of the Combustion Institute, Baniff, Alberta Canada, 1990.
Smith, O.L., R., Marchant, J. Willis, L. M. Lee, P. Logan, and A. R. Karagozian, “Incineration of Surrogate Wastes in a Low-Speed Dump Combustor,” Combust. Sci. Tech., 74, 199, (1990).
Logan, P., J. W. Lee, L. M. Lee, A. R. Karagozian, and O. L. Smith, “Acoustics of a Low-Speed Dump Combustor,” Combust. Flame, 84, 93, (1991).
Oran, E.S., J.H. Gardner, “Chemical-Acoustic Interactions in Combustion Systems,” Prog. Energy Combust., Sci. 11 253–276, 1985.
Keller, J.O., P.K. Barr, R.S. Gemmen, “Premixed Combustion in a Periodic Flow Field. Part I: Experimental Investigation” In press in Combust. Flame, 1994.
Barr, P.K., J.O. Keller, “Premixed Combustion in a Periodic Flow Field. Part II: The Importance of Flame Extinction by Fluid Dynamic Strain”, In press in Combust. Flame, 1994.
Keller, J.O., L. Smith, R.W. Dibble, “Phase Resolved PLIF Measurements of CH in a Strongly Oscillating Flow Field,” Poster presentation Twenty-Fourth Symposium (International) on Combustion, Sydney Australia, 1992, in preparation for submission to Combust. Flame, 1994.
Keller, J.O., T.T. Bramlette, J.E. Dec, and C.K. Westbrook, “Pulse Combustion: The Importance of Characteristic Times,” Combust. Flame, 75, 33–44, 1989.
Keller, J.O., T.T. Bramlette, J.E. Dec, and C.K. Westbrook, “Pulse Combustion: The Quantification of Characteristic Times,” Combust. Flame, 79, 151–161, 1990.
Dec, J.E., J.O. Keller, and I. Hongo, “Time-Resolved Velocities and Turbulence in the Oscillating Flow of a Pulse Combustor Tail Pipe,” Combust. Flame, 83, 271–292 (1991).
Putnam, A.A., F.E. Belles and J.A.C Kentfield, “Pulse Combustion,” Prog. Energy Combust., Sci. 12, 43–79, 1986.
Keller, J.O., K. Saito, K. Kishimoto, “An Experimental Investigation of a Pulse Combustor — Flow Visulization by Schlieren Photography,” Presented at the 1984 Fall Meeting of the Western States Section of the Combustion Institute, Stanford, California
Keller, J.O., and K. Saito, “Measurements of the Combusting Flow in a Pulse Combustor,” Combust. Sci. Tech., 53, 137–163, 1987.
Reuter, D., B.R. Daniel, J.Jagoda, and B.T. Zinn, “Periodic Mixing and Combustion Processes in Gas Fired Pulsating Combustors,” Combust. Flame, 65, 281–290, 1986.
Belles, F. E., “Final Report on Pulse Combustion Design Research,” The Gas Research Institute, March 15. 1990, GRI-89/0106.
Ohiwa, N., S. Yamaguchi, T. Hasegawa, Q.B. Kui, and A. Okada, “An Experimental Study of the Ignition and Burning Mechanisms in a Pulse Combustor,” Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, Series B, No. 85-0524, 1913–1922 (1985).
Barr, P.K., J.O. Keller, T.T. Bramlette, C.K. Westbrook, and J.E. Dec, “Pulse Combustor Modeling: Demonstration of the Importance of Characteristic Times,” Combust. Flame, 82: 252–269(1990).
Keller, J.O., and I. Hongo, “Pulse Combustion: The Mechanisms of NO x Production,” Combust. Flame, 80: 219–237 (1990).
Dec, J.E., and J.O. Keller, “Time-Resolved Gas Temperatures in the Oscillating Turbulent Flow of a Pulse Combustor Tail Pipe,” Combust. Flame, 80: 358–371 (1990).
Keller, J.O. and C.K. Westbrook, “Response of a Pulse Combustor to Changes in Fuel Composition,” Twenty-First Symposium (International) on Combustion, 547–555, The Combustion Institute, Pittsburgh, 1987.
“Special Issue on Pulsating Combustion,” Special Eds. P. K. Barr, M. E. Gunn, Jr. J. A. Kezerle, T. T. Bramlette, J. O. Keller, T. R. Roose, Combust. Sci. Tech., 94, (1993).
Warnatz, J., “The Structure of Laminar Alkane-, Alkene-, and Acetylene Flames,” Eighteenth Symposium (International) on Combustion, 369, The Combustion Institute, Pittsburgh, 1981.
Kanury, A. Murty, Introduction to Combustion Phenomena, Gordon and Breach Science Publishers, 1975, Pp 290.
Peters N., “Laminar Flamelet Concepts in Turbulent Combustion,” Twenty-First Symposium (International) on Combustion, 1231–1250, The Combustion Institute, Pittsburgh, 1987.
Law, C.K., D.L. Zhu, and G. Yu, “Propagation and Extinction of Stretched Premixed Flames,” Twenty-First Symposium (InternationaD on Combustion, 1419–1426, The Combustion Institute, Pittsburgh, 1987.
Kee, R.J., J.A. Miller, and G.H. Evans, “A Computational Model of the Structure and Extinction of Strained, Opposed Flow, Premixed Methane-Air Flames,” Twenty-Second Symposium (International) on Combustion, 1479–1494, The Combustion Institute, Pittsburgh, 1988.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1996 Kluwer Academic Publishers
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Keller, J.O., Barr, P.K. (1996). Premixed Combustion in a Periodic Flow Field. In: Culick, F., Heitor, M.V., Whitelaw, J.H. (eds) Unsteady Combustion. NATO ASI Series, vol 306. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1620-3_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1620-3_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7223-6
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-1620-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive