Numerical Study on Vortex Structures in a Two-dimensional Bluff-Body Burner in the Transitional Flow Regime

Vortical structures are investigated numerically for both cold and combusting flows from a two-dimensional bluff-body burner in the transitional flow regime from steady to unsteady state. The Reynolds number of the central fuel flow is varied from 10 to 230 at a fixed air Reynolds number of 400. The flame sheet model of infinite chemical reaction and unit Lewis number are assumed in the simulation. The temperature dependence of the viscosity and diffusivity of the gas mixture is also considered. The vortex shedding is observed depending on the fuel flow. For cold flow, four different types of vortical structure are identified. However, for combusting flow of methane-air system the vortical structures change significantly due to a large amount of heat release during the combustion process, in contract to cold flow.