Abstract
The fuel-lean premixed flame has been considered one of the most efficient ways to reduce $NO_X$ emission during a combustion process. However, it is difficult to achieve stable fuel-lean premixed flames over the wide range of equivalence ratios: therefore, the application of fuel-lean flames to a practical combustion system is rather limited. In this study, the stability characteristics of fuel-lean flames stabilized by fuel-rich flames are investigated experimentally using a slot burner as a part of the basic research for practical application such as lean burn engines. Spontaneous emission of radical species were examined to understand the stability mechanisms of rich-lean premixed flames. The presence of fuel-rich flames could significantly lower the lean limit of fuel-lean flames. The stability of a fuel-lean flame is enhanced with the increase of fuel flow rate in a fuel-rich flame; how ever, it is not sensitive to the equivalence ratio of fuel-rich flames in the range of 1.2-2.4. The mechanisms of stable rich-lean premixed flames could be understood based on the characteristics of triple flame.