Simulation of Front Propagation at Large Non-dimensional Flow Disturbance Intensities

Abstract

Numerical modeling of propagating fronts in non-uniform two-dimensional flow fields is performed in orderto simulatetheeffect of such flowson premixed flamefronts. In particular, the influenceof the flow disturbance intensity (u') on the mean front propagation rate (ST) is examined. A second-order numerical technique is employed that combines the level set (G-equation) formulation to describe the self-propagation of the front and a multidimensional upwind technique to describe the convection of the front by the flow field. In this way the effect of the non-dimensional disturbance intensity (u'ISL) on the non-dimensional propagation rate (STISL) at values of u'IS,,» I is computed. The dependence of the laminar propagation speed (SJ on the flame stretch (including both the front curvature and the velocity strain effects) is incorporated in this formulation. We focus on front propagation in simulated Taylor-Couette flows in the "Taylor vortex" regime and the results are found to compare favorably with recent experiments on the propagation or isothermal chemical fronts in this flow. The formation of "islands" of reactants is observed and its relation to front propagation rates is discussed.

Some open issues in premixed turbulent combustion

“…Their result UT ~-exp(U/Uw) (6) agrees well with their experiments (Fig. 4) and numerical simulations [37,38]. Furthermore, this concept of the role of island formation on UT is supported by the analysis of Joulin and Sivashinsky [39].…”

The cellular burning regime in type Ia supernova explosions

“…This produces what is termed "square vortices" by Helenbrook & Law (1999). A similar flow field is applied by Vladimirova et al (2003) who name it "cellular flow" and also Zhu & Ronney (1994) use a flow with cellular vortices to study flame propagation in it. The particular flow has the advantage of being very simple -ideally containing only one Fourier mode.…”

Evolution, Implementation, and Application of Level Set and Fast Marching Methods for Advancing Fronts

“…These include work on semiconductor manufacturing [2-4, 35, 76, 84], geometry and minimal surfaces [9,[22][23][24]72], combustion and detonation [10,32,63,105,106], fluids and surface-tension-driven flows [15, 19, In Fig. 8, we give a perspective on how some of these topics are related.…”