• 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.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.729-738
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• 2010

The characteristics of lifted butane flames diluted with nitrogen have been investigated experimentally in order to elucidate the mechanism of individual flame oscillation modes. Flame oscillations in laminar free-jet lift-off flames are classified into the following five regimes: a stabilized lift-off regime (I), a heat-loss-induced oscillation (II), a buoyancy-induced oscillation along with a heat-loss-induced oscillation (III), a combined form of an oscillation prior to blow-out and a heat-loss-induced oscillation (IV), and a combination of an oscillation prior to blow-out and a buoyancy-induced oscillation along with a heat-loss-induced oscillation (V). The characterization of the individual flame oscillations modes are presented and discussed using Strouhal numbers and their relevant parameters by the analysis of the power spectrum for temporal variation of the lift-off height.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.399-408
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• 2010

The characteristics of lifted laminar propane flames diluted with nitrogen have been investigated experimentally to elucidate self-excitation and the effects of flame curvature. Flame oscillation modes are classified as follows: oscillation induced by heat loss, a combination of oscillations induced by heat loss and buoyancy, and a combination of the oscillations induced by heat loss and diffusive thermal instability. It is shown that the oscillation induced only by heat loss is not relevant to the diffusive thermal instability and hydrodynamic instability caused by buoyancy; this oscillation is observed under all lift-off flame conditions irrespective of the fuel Lewis number. These experimental evidences are displayed through the analysis of the power spectrum for the temporal variation of lift-off height. The possible mechanism of the oscillation induced by heat loss is also discussed.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.309-319
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• 2011

We experimentally investigated lifted propane jet flames diluted with nitrogen to obtain flame-stability maps based on heat-loss-induced self-excitation. We found that heat-loss-induced self-excitations are caused by conductive heat loss from premixed flame branches to trailing diffusion flames as well as soot radiation. The conductive-heat-loss-induced self-excitation at frequencies less than 0.1 Hz is explained well by a suggested mechanism, whereas the oscillation of the soot region induces a self-excitation of lift-off height of the order of 0.1 Hz. The suggested mechanism is also verified from additive experiments in a room at constant temperature and humidity. The heat-loss-induced self-excitation is explained by the Strouhal numbers as a function of the relevant parameters.