Some applications of Kolmogorov’s turbulence research in the field of combustion

Abstract

This paper reviews recent developments in understanding of ways in which various characteristic scales in the Kolmogorov energy cascade control the wrinkling and stretching of thin laminar premixed flames in turbulent flows. Some unresolved problems are identified. Results of recent direct numerical simulations of turbulent combustion are discussed. Distributions of flame strain and curvature, obtained from constant density simulations, are presented and a parametrization of these results is suggested. This parametrization is then used to derive a new theoretical model to allow for effects of detailed finite chemical reaction rate mechanisms in engineering calculations of turbulent combustion.