Pressure gradients due to gas expansion in the boundary layer combustion of a condensed fuel

Abstract

Ignition and combustion of a condensed fuel in a gaseous high temperature oxidizing boundary layer flow is analyzed on the basis of higher order boundary layer theory. First order effects due to displacement thickness are taken into account and the pressure gradients generated in the outer potential flow are included in the numerical solution of the governing equations. The strong positive pressure gradients which are induced by expansion in front of the flame generate a low velocity region which facilitates a longitudinal diffusion of heat and mass.