Turbulence effects on flame speed and flame structure

Abstract

Turbulence effects on methane-air flames stabilized in grid turbulence were investigated through measurements of flame speed and mean and fluctuating flame temperature profiles. Published turbulent flame speed correlations were able to correlate the experimental flame speed data but were contradictory in indicating flame structure and combustion mechanisms. A simple, one-dimensional, wrinkled laminar flame model was used to predict characteristic flame temperature fluctuation levels. Comparison of these predictions with measured temperature fluctuations indicated that the majority of the flames studied were wrinkled laminar flames. However, a wrinkled laminar flame structure was inappropriate for the most intensely turbulent flames examined.