An Experimental Study on the Effect of Fuel Dilution on the Propagation Velocity of Triple Flames in a Diverging Channel

연료희석이단면확대채널에형성된삼지화염의전파속도에미치는영향에관한실험적연구

When triple flames propagated in a diverging channel, the effects of fuel dilution on the lift-off characteristics of triple flames were investigated. A multi-slot burner was used to stabilize the lift-off flame especially at weak fuel concentration gradients. It was reported that there is a maximum propagation velocity at a critical concentration gradient in an open jet regardless of fuel dilution. The enhancement of a diffusion flame affected to increase the propagation velocity around critical concentration gradients. However, the influence of a confined channel on the structure of triple flames according to fuel dilution needs to be investigated compared with an open jet case. This study aimed to examine the effect of a confined channel on the structure and the propagation velocity of the triple flames according to fuel dilution. Lift-off height and propagation velocity of triple flames were investigated by employing three kinds of fuel compositions diluted by nitrogen (0%, 25%, 50% $N_2$), Fuel dilution reduced the propagation velocity of triple flame in a confined channel mainly due to the decrease of flame temperature in premixed branch. Despite the difference in fuel dilution, the propagation velocity has a maximum value at a specific fuel concentration gradient even though the critical concentration gradient increases with fuel dilution. And the critical concentration gradient in a confined channel is larger than that in an open jet due to enhancement of convective diffusion.