On Flame Extinction and Free-Floating Limits Using a Large Diameter Opposed Jet Burner

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper presents studies on flame extinction and associated flame structure using a large diameter (40 mm) opposed jet burner for the first time. The extinction experiments were carried out at various nozzle separation distance (L) to diameter (D) ratios (L/Ds) for methane-air non-premixed flames, while all similar experiments in the past literature are with smaller burner diameters (<25 mm). The extinction studies were used to determine the free-floating limits of the burner, and a detailed analysis of the effect of nozzle exit diameter and Applied Stress Rates (ASRs) on the free-floating limits are reported by comparing with similar works in the past. The Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique was used to determine the axial velocity profiles and local extinction strain rates (Kl) of the flames. Based on the experiments, a correlation for the free-floating separation distance from the stagnation plane (zFF) is proposed, which was found to be proportional to the square of the ASRs. The reported free-floating limits in the literature using various diameters agree with the observed data trend. This solves the ambiguity regarding the free-floating limits of opposed jet burners and provides a general trend of the free-floating separation distance (LFF) even in the off-extinction operation regime. 2D axisymmetric simulations were carried out using realistic boundary conditions on the OpenFOAM® platform to predict flame extinction and, consequently, global flame extinction strain rates (Kg). The model predicts the Kg values and also its trend with L/Ds accurately. The model also captures the flame structure before extinction for various L/Ds.