• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.1710-1718
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• 2002

The effect of fuel concentration gradient on the propagation characteristics of tribrachial (or triple) flames has been investigated experimentally in both two-dimensional and axisymmetric counterflows. The gradient at the stoichiometric location was controlled by the equivalence ratios at the two nozzles; one of which is maintained rich, while the other lean. Results show that the displacement speed of tribrachial flames in the two-dimensional counterflow decreases with fuel concentration gradient and has much larger speed than the maximum speed predicted previously in two-dimensional mixing layers. From an analogy with premixed flame propagation, this excessively large displacement speed can be attributed to the flame propagation with respect to burnt gas. Corresponding maximum speed in the limit of small mixture fraction gradient was estimated and the curvefit of the experimental data substantiates this limiting speed. As mixture fraction gradient approaches zero, a transition occurs, such that the propagation speed of tribrachial flame approaches stoichiometric laminar burning velocity with respect to burnt gas. Similar results have been obtained for tribrachial flames propagating in axisymmetric counterflow.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Combustion
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2002

Characteristics of laminar lifted flames of propane highly-diluted with nitrogen have been investigated at various temperatures of coflow air. At various fuel mole fractions, the base of laminar lifted flames has the structure of tribrachial (or triple) flame. The liftoff heights are correlated well with the stoichiometric laminar burning velocity considering initial temperature at a given coflow velocity. It shows that lifted flames are stabilized on the basis of the balance mechanism between local flow velocity and the propagation speed of tribrachial flame, regardless of the temperature of coflow and fuel mole fraction. Lifted flames exist for a jet velocity even smaller than the stoichiometric laminar burning velocity, and liftoff velocity increases more rapidly than stoichiometric laminar burning velocity as coflow temperature increases. These can be attributed to the buoyancy effect due to the density difference.

• 한국연소학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.13-18
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• 2007

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.