Relation between flame speed and stretch for a premixed flame in a stagnation point flow

Joy, Midhun Jacob

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/99416 Copy

Description

Title

Relation between flame speed and stretch for a premixed flame in a stagnation point flow

Author(s)

Joy, Midhun Jacob

Issue Date

2017-12-12

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Matalon, Moshe

Department of Study

Mechanical Sci & Engineering

Discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Stagnation
• Flame
• Flame displacement speed (FDS)
• Flame speed
• Markstein length
• Hydrodynamic theory

Abstract

Displacement speed of a flame is a hydrodynamic concept, and it is defined as the normal component of the velocity of the incoming flow evaluated on the unburned side of the flame. Except for a steadily propagating flame with zero stretch (planar flame), this definition is ambiguous because the mass flux and, consequently, the gas velocity vary across the thickness of the flame represented by the flame/thermo-diffusive/pre-heat zone. In other words, the flame displacement speed has different values when evaluated at different locations within the flame zone. This has led to confusion about the position within the flame that must be used for measuring flame speed. Additionally, according to the hydrodynamic theory, the flame speed of weakly stretched flames is dependent on the flame stretch and the position/isotherm chosen within the flame zone through a parameter known as the Markstein Length. It is the objective of this study to provide a recommendation for the position/isotherm within the flame zone for measuring gas velocity in experiments that provides a flame speed value consistent with the hydrodynamic theory. In this regard, a premixed flame in an axisymmetric laminar stagnation point flow is studied using the hydrodynamic theory. First, the outer or hydrodynamic solution is obtained by solving modified Euler equations along with jump conditions resulting from conservation laws. Thereafter, the structure of the flame zone is resolved by rescaling the coordinate and the inner solution obtained using asymptotic theory is presented. Having obtained the outer and inner solutions, a uniformly valid composite expression for the mass flux across the flame is derived and presented. Finally, flame speeds are evaluated at different isotherms/positions within the flame zone, and a recommendation for the position to measure gas velocity in experiments is provided.

Graduation Semester

2017-12

Type of Resource

text

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/99416

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2017 Midhun Joy

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