High-intensity turbulence measurements in a Taylor-Couette flow reactor

Abstract

Turbulence-intensity measurements were made in a Taylor-Couette flow reactor consisting of two counter-rotating concentric cylinders designed for the purpose of studying turbulent premixed-flame propagation. In the annulus separating the two cylinders, a nearly homogeneous turbulent flow is generated. The intensities of turbulent velocity fluctuations in the annulus in both axial and circumferential directions were measured by using laser-Doppler velocimetry for a wide range of cylinder rotation rates, corresponding to low through high (120 cm/s) intensities relative to typical laminar flame speeds for lean methane-air mixtures. The experimental measurements indicate a linear relation between turbulence intensities and average cylinder surface speed and demonstrate the usefulness of the Taylor-Couette apparatus for studies of premixed-flame propagation in high-intensity turbulent flow.