An evaluation of the Klimov-Williams criterion

Abstract

Different expressions of the Klimov-Williams criterion are explored and the relations between them are established. Five different calculation methods of the K-W criterion are proposed. The sensitivity of the criterion to its quantitative evaluation based on cold flow or flame turbulence parameters and to the use of various definitions of the laminar flame front thickness is assessed by using experimental data coming from V-shaped turbulent premixed flames. It is shown that when the Zeldovich characteristic length is adopted, the values of the K-W criterion are scattered around 0.2 either when the cold flow or the flame turbulence parameters are used. Its values range around unity when the total visible flame front thickness is used. Other implications for the interpretation of the structure of turbulent premixed flames of these various calculation methods are discussed.