Numerical study on transition of hydrogen/air flame triggered by auto-ignition under effect of pressure wave in an enclosed space

Abstract

End gas auto-ignition and transition of flame front are considered as the main causes of severe pressure oscillation in spark-ignition engines, which is one of the major features of knock and super-knock. The knowledge of characteristics of auto-ignition, flame front development, propagation of pressure wave and relations between them, still needs to be maintained. In this study, flame front transition induced by pressure wave and auto-ignition are investigated using one-dimensional simulation with detailed chemistry in an enclosed space Calculation cases with different initial thermodynamic conditions are investigated. Mass fraction of OH is employed as indicator of auto-ignition progress under variable conditions caused by pressure wave. Different propagation modes of flame front, including subsonic deflagration, detonation and supersonic deflagration, are developed under the effects of both pressure wave and auto-ignition. Results show that mass fraction of OH could successfully reflect auto-ignition progress, thus indicating occurrence and sequence of auto-ignition at different locations. Transitions from deflagration to detonation and detonation to supersonic deflagration are found to be triggered by sequential auto-ignition with different gradient of auto-ignition progress ahead of flame front induced by pressure wave.