Numerical Simulation of Premixed Propane/Air Flame Propagation Using a Dynamically Thickened Flame Approach

Abstract:

A numerical study of premixed propane/air flame propagation in a closed duct is presented. A dynamically thickened flame (TF) method is applied to model the premixed combustion. The reaction of propane in air is taken into account using a single-step global Arrhenius kinetics. It is shown that the premixed flame undergoes four stages of dynamics in the propagation. The formation of tulip flame phenomenon is observed. The pressure during the combustion process grows exponentially at the finger-shape flame stage and then slows down until the formation of tulip shape. After tulip formation the pressure increases quickly again with the increase of the flame surface area. The vortex motion behind the flame front advects the flame into tulip shape. The study indicates that the TF model is quite reliable for the investigation of premixed propane/air flame propagation.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 444-445)
• Pages: 1574-1578
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.444-445.1574
• Online since: October 2013
• Authors: Hua Hua Xiao, Zhan Li Mao, Wei Guang An, Qing Song Wang, Jin Hua Sun
• Keywords: Premixed Flame, Propane/Air Mixture, Thickened Flame, Tulip Flame, Vortex

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