Simultaneous Planar Laser-induced Fluorescence Research Articles

Spatiotemporally resolved heat transfer measurements in falling liquid-films by simultaneous application of planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF), particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) and infrared (IR) thermography

We present an optical technique that combines simultaneous planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF), particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) and infrared (IR) thermography for the space-and time-resolved measurement of the film-height, 2-D velocity and 2-D free-surface temperature in liquid films falling over an inclined, resistively-heated glass substrate. Using this information and knowledge of the wall temperature, local and instantaneous heat-transfer coefficients (HTCs) and Nusselt numbers, Nu, are also recovered along the waves of liquid films with Kapitza number, Ka=180, and Prandtl number, Pr=77. By employing this technique, falling-film flows are investigated with Reynolds numbers in the range Re = 18–66, wave frequencies set to fw=7, 12 and 17 Hz, and a wall heat flux set to q̇=2.5 W cm−2. Complementary data are also collected in equivalent (i.e., for the same mean-flow Re) flows with q̇=0 W cm−2. Quality assurance experiments are performed that reveal deviations of up to 2–3% between PLIF/PTV-derived film heights, interfacial/bulk velocities and flow rates, and both analytical predictions and direct measurements of flat films over a range of conditions, while IR-based temperature measurements fall within 1 °C of thermocouple measurements. Highly localized film height, velocity, flow-rate and interface-temperature data are generated along the examined wave topologies by phase/wave locked averaging. The application of a heat flux (q̇=2.5 W cm−2) results in a pronounced “thinning” of the investigated films (by 18%, on average), while the mean bulk velocities compensate by increasing by a similar extent to conserve the imposed flow rate. The axial-velocity profiles that are obtained in the heated cases are parabolic but “fuller” compared to equivalent isothermal flows, excluding any wave-regions where the interface slopes are high. As the Re is reduced, the heating applied at the wall penetrates through the film, resulting in a pronounced coupling between the HTC and the film height in thinner film regions. When the imposed wave frequency is increased, a narrower range of HTCs is observed, which we link to the evolution of the film topology and the associated redistribution of the fluid flow upstream of the imaging location, as the liquid viscosity decreases. The local and instantaneous Nu is strongly coupled to the film height and experiences variations that increase as fw is reduced.

Structure and dynamics of CH2O, OH, and the velocity field of a confined bluff-body premixed flame, using simultaneous PLIF and PIV at 10 kHz.

Abstract This study characterizes the structure and dynamics of a confined, bluff-body-stabilized turbulent premixed flame by simultaneously employing formaldehyde (CH2O) and hydroxyl (OH) planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) and particle image velocimetry (PIV), at a rate of 10 kHz. The large field-of-view (>170 cm2) CH2O-PLIF is enabled by use of a burst-mode laser delivering 10-kHz pulse trains of 355-nm at 350 mJ/pulse, resulting in a CH2O signal-to-noise of 47:1 during PIV seed flow. Two cases illustrative of the CH2O dynamics are presented. A statistically stationary turbulent combustion case highlights the development of the CH2O layers in space and time. Notably, presumed CH2O-vortex dynamic interactions are observed where the CH2O accumulates broadly near the Kelvin–Helmholtz vortex core and remains thin near the vortex braid, contributing to a distribution of CH2O preheat zone thickness from 1 to 10 times of the calculated laminar value. The second case highlights the CH2O dynamics during a self-excited combustion instability. Two short-duration increases in CH2O are produced during the elevated velocity portion of the acoustic cycle. The first CH2O increase is caused by the reactant mass flux impulse as the velocity starts to increase. The second CH2O increase is the result of the upper and lower shear layers merging downstream and entraining fresh reactants that burn in intense, distributed regions inside the wake. Estimating the time delay between the CH2O and the heat release, it is suggested that the secondary CH2O increase may contribute to damping of the acoustic instability, because of its out-of-phase relationship with pressure, while the first CH2O increase appears to drive the instability.

Simultaneous high speed PIV and CH PLIF using R-branch excitation in the C2Σ+-X2Π (0,0) band

Simultaneous particle image velocimetry (PIV) and planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) utilizing R-branch transitions in the C-X (0,0) band were performed at a 10-kHz repetition-rate in a turbulent premixed flame. The CH lines at 310.690 nm (from the R-branch of the C-X band) used here have greater efficiency than A-X and B-X transitions, which allows for high-framerate imaging with low laser pulse energy. Most importantly, the simultaneous imaging of both CH PLIF and PIV is enabled by the use of a custom edge filter, which blocks scattering at the laser wavelength (below ∼311 nm) while efficiently transmitting fluorescence at longer wavelengths. The Hi-Pilot Bunsen burner operated with a turbulent Reynolds number of 7900 was used to demonstrate simultaneous PIV and CH PLIF utilizing this filtered detection scheme. Instances where pockets of products were observed well upstream of the mean flame brush are found to be the result of out-of-plane motion of the flame sheet. Such instances can lead to ambiguous results when interpreting the thickness of reaction layers. However, the temporally resolved nature of the present diagnostics facilitate the identification and proper treatment of such situations. The strategy demonstrated here can yield important information in the study of turbulent flames by providing temporally resolved flame dynamics in terms of flame sheet visualization and velocity fields.

The evolution of autoignition kernels in turbulent flames of dimethyl ether

Simultaneous planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) imaging of CH2O and OH was performed at a repetition rate of 10.kHz, jointly with chemiluminescence to explore autoigniting dimethyl ether (DME) flames in a hot vitiated coflow burner. The focus of the study is the imaging of the flame stabilization region and the temporal evolution of ignition kernels upstream of the flame base. Results detail the evolution of kernels throughout their formation, growth and final merging with the flame base. The ignition events were explored for a range of different fuel premixing and dilution ratios over two coflow temperatures which result in different lift-off heights. Images of CH2O and OH over the entire flame length show that not only is the lift-off height much higher at low coflow temperatures, but that the fluctuations are more intense and the region of kernel formation is larger both radially and axially. In these autoignition stabilized flames, increased premixing leads to the lift-off height and location of the maximum kernel formation rate being further downstream. Transient 1-D simulations of hot coflow products opposed against jet fuel mixtures identify that the overlap of CH2O and OH PLIF signals are a reliable marker of heat release in autoignition kernels. Measurements indicate that for the high coflow temperature cases, on average, the heat release of individual kernels is low, despite the high total kernel formation rate. This can be correlated to the slow growth rate and elongated aspect ratio of the kernels. For low coflow temperature cases, kernels are growing faster and have high heat release rates with near unity aspect ratios.

Simultaneous direct measurements of concentration and velocity in the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability

The Richtmyer–Meshkov instability (RMI) is experimentally investigated in a vertical shock tube using a broadband initial condition imposed on an interface between a helium–acetone mixture and argon (Atwood number $A\approx 0.7$). In the present work, a shear layer is introduced at the interface to serve as a statistically repeatable, broadband initial condition to the RMI, and the density interface is accelerated by either an $M=1.6$ or $M=2.2$ planar shock wave. The development of the ensuing mixing layer is investigated using simultaneous planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) and particle image velocimetry (PIV). PLIF images are processed to reveal the light-gas mole fraction, while PIV particle image pairs yield corresponding two-component planar velocity results. Field structure and distribution are explored through probability density functions (PDFs), and a decomposition is performed on concentration and velocity results to obtain a mean flow field and define fluctuations. Simultaneous concentration and velocity field measurements allow – for the first time in this regime – experimentally determined turbulence quantities such as Reynolds stresses, turbulent mass-flux velocities and turbulent kinetic energy to be obtained. We show that by the latest times the mixing layer has passed the turbulent threshold, and there is evidence of turbulent mixing occurring sooner for the higher Mach number case. Interface measurements show nonlinear growth with a power-law fit to the thickness data, and that integral measurements of mixing layer thickness are proportional to threshold measurements. Spectral analysis demonstrates the emergence of an inertial range with a slope ${\sim}k^{-5/3}$ when considering both density and velocity effects in planar turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) measurements.

Simultaneous multispectral imaging of flame species using Frequency Recognition Algorithm for Multiple Exposures (FRAME)

Imaging the interaction between different combustion species under turbulent flame conditions requires methods that both are extremely fast and provide means to spectrally separate different signals. Current experimental solutions to achieve this often rely on using several cameras that are time-gated and/or equipped with different spectral filters. In this work we explore a technique called Frequency Recognition Algorithm for Multiple Exposures (FRAME) as an alternative solution for instantaneous multispectral imaging of flame species. The method is based on exciting different species with different spatial “codes” and to separate each signal component using a spatial frequency-sensitive lock-in algorithm. This methodology permits the signal from several different species to be recorded at the exact same time with a single camera. Furthermore, since the signals are recognized based on the superimposed spatial codes, there is no need for spectral separation prior to detection. The entire fluorescence envelope from each species can thus, in principle, be detected. In the current work, we present simultaneous planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging of OH and CH2O in a turbulent dimethyl ether (DME)/air flame.

Experimental investigation of the effects of mean shear and scalar initial length scale on three-scalar mixing in turbulent coaxial jets

In a previous study we investigated three-scalar mixing in a turbulent coaxial jet (Caiet al.J. Fluid Mech., vol. 685, 2011, pp. 495–531). In this flow a centre jet and a co-flow are separated by an annular flow; therefore, the resulting mixing process approximates that in a turbulent non-premixed flame. In the present study, we investigate the effects of the velocity and length scale ratios of the annular flow to the centre jet, which determine the relative mean shear rates between the streams and the degree of separation between the centre jet and the co-flow, respectively. Simultaneous planar laser-induced fluorescence and Rayleigh scattering are employed to obtain the mass fractions of the centre jet scalar (acetone-doped air) and the annular flow scalar (ethylene). The results show that varying the velocity ratio and the annulus width modifies the scalar fields through mean-flow advection, turbulent transport and small-scale mixing. While the evolution of the mean scalar profiles is dominated by the mean-flow advection, the shape of the joint probability density function (JPDF) was found to be largely determined by the turbulent transport and molecular diffusion. Increasing the velocity ratio results in stronger turbulent transport, making the initial scalar evolution faster. However, further downstream the evolution is delayed due to slower small-scale mixing. The JPDF for the higher velocity ratio cases is bimodal at some locations while it is always unimodal for the lower velocity ratio cases. Increasing the annulus width delays the progression of mixing, and makes the effects of the velocity ratio more pronounced. For all cases the diffusion velocity streamlines in the scalar space representing the effects of molecular diffusion generally converge quickly to a curved manifold, whose curvature is reduced as mixing progresses. The curvature of the manifold increases significantly with the velocity and length scale ratios. Predicting the observed mixing path along the manifold as well as its dependence on the velocity and length scale ratios presents a challenge for mixing models. The results in the present study have implications for understanding and modelling multiscalar mixing in turbulent reactive flows.

In-Situ Non-intrusive Diagnostics of Toluene Removal by a Gliding Arc Discharge Using Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence

A non-equilibrium gliding arc discharge anchored on two diverging stainless steel electrodes was extended into open air by a toluene-containing air jet. The removal process of the toluene by the non-equilibrium gliding arc discharge was investigated through in situ and non-intrusive laser-based techniques. Simultaneous planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of toluene and OH radicals were employed to achieve on-line visualization of the toluene decomposing process by the gliding arc discharge column. Toluene PLIF images with high spatial and temporal resolution showed that the non-equilibrium plasma of the gliding arc discharge is effective in decomposing toluene molecules. Instantaneous toluene removal efficiency was estimated from the toluene PLIF images, showing that the initial toluene concentrations and oxygen concentrations affected the toluene removal efficiency. The toluene removal efficiency decreased with the initial toluene concentration, whereas the efficiency increased with the oxygen concentration. The OH generation in the discharge was found to be enhanced with an increase of the toluene concentration from the OH PLIF results. The relative instantaneous distribution between the OH produced from the discharge channels and the toluene flow was simultaneously visualized. The instantaneous distributions of toluene and OH radicals that were acquired simultaneously by PLIF, were well complementary, suggesting that radicals generated by the gliding arc discharge were responsible for toluene removal in the active volume of the gliding arc discharge. The effective width of the plasma volume for the toluene removal were measured, which gives a new insight into the optimization of industrial design for practical gliding arc reactors.

Study of soot production for double injections of n-dodecane in CI engine-like conditions

Soot production mechanism in multiple injections is complex since it involves its dependence on turbulent interactions of constituting injections and their combustion progress. A concise study was performed in a constant-volume combustion vessel by considering a double injection scheme of 0.3ms pilot injection, 0.5ms dwell time and 1.2ms main injection (nomenclature: 0.3/0.5/1.2ms) with n-dodecane as fuel and replicating the thermodynamic operating condition of a compression ignition (CI) engine. Experimental ambient temperature variations of 900K and 800K were performed at 15% ambient oxygen level. Simultaneous planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of formaldehyde and schlieren imaging techniques were employed to analyze the ignition and flame characteristics experimentally. These studies revealed almost similar heat release rates for a double injection at 900K and 800K ambient gas temperatures due to combustion of a longer main injection which is enhanced by pilot combustion event. A lower soot production for 800K ambient condition over 900K case was observed, which was concluded to be due to its higher lift-off length which would allow for a leaner combustion of fuel-air mixtures. Numerical simulations were performed using a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) approach by extensively validating the 900K double injection condition with respect to non-reacting vapor penetration profiles of both injections, reacting jet heat release rate and spatial as well as temporal (qualitative) soot production. As part of LES work, a dwell time variation of 0.65ms (0.3/0.65/1.2ms) was performed to reveal the sensitivity of soot production to variations in dwell time. It was observed numerically that marginally higher quasi-steady lift-off length of the 0.3/0.65/1.2ms injection causes increased entrainment of surrounding oxygen into the flame region. This leads to combustion of slightly leaner fuel-air mixture and hence relatively less soot when compared to a 0.3/0.5/1.2ms injection.

Setup for microwave stimulation of a turbulent low-swirl flame

An experimental setup for microwave stimulation of a turbulent flame is presented. A low-swirl flame is being exposed to continuous microwave irradiation inside an aluminum cavity. The cavity is designed with inlets for laser beams and a viewport for optical access. The aluminum cavity is operated as a resonator where the microwave mode pattern is matched to the position of the flame. Two metal meshes are working as endplates in the resonator, one at the bottom and the other at the top. The lower mesh is located right above the burner nozzle so that the low-swirl flame is able to freely propagate inside the cylinder cavity geometry whereas the upper metal mesh can be tuned to achieve good overlap between the microwave mode pattern and the flame volume. The flow is characterized for operating conditions without microwave irradiation using particle imaging velocimetry (PIV). Microwave absorption is simultaneously monitored with experimental investigations of the flame in terms of exhaust gas temperature, flame chemiluminescence (CL) analysis as well as simultaneous planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) measurements of formaldehyde (CH2O) and hydroxyl radicals (OH). Results are presented for experiments conducted in two different regimes of microwave power. In the high-energy regime the microwave field is strong enough to cause a breakdown in the flame. The breakdown spark develops into a swirl-stabilized plasma due to the continuous microwave stimulation. In the low-energy regime, which is below plasma formation, the flame becomes larger and more stable and it moves upstream closer to the burner nozzle when microwaves are absorbed by the flame. As a result of a larger flame the exhaust gas temperature, flame CL and OH PLIF signals are increased as microwave energy is absorbed by the flame.

An experimental study of spatiotemporally resolved heat transfer in thin liquid-film flows falling over an inclined heated foil

This paper describes the development of an experimental technique that combines simultaneous planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) and infrared (IR) thermography imaging, and its application to the measurement of unsteady and conjugate heat-transfer in harmonically forced, thin liquid-film flows falling under the action of gravity over an inclined electrically heated-foil substrate. Quantitative, spatiotemporally resolved and simultaneously conducted measurements are reported of the film thickness, film free-surface temperature, solid–liquid substrate interface temperature, and local/instantaneous heat flux exchanged with the heated substrate. Based on this information, local and instantaneous heat-transfer coefficients (HTCs) are recovered. Results concerning the local and instantaneous HTC and how this is correlated with the local and instantaneous film thickness suggest considerable heat-transfer enhancement relative to steady-flow predictions in the thinner film regions. This behaviour is attributed to a number of unsteady/mixing transport processes within the wavy films that are not captured by laminar, steady-flow analysis. The Nusselt number Nu increases with the Reynolds number Re; at low Re values the mean Nu number corresponds to 2.5, in agreement with the steady-flow theory, while at higher Re, both the Nu number and the HTC exhibit significantly enhanced values. Evidence that the HTC becomes decoupled from the film thickness for the upper range of observed film thicknesses is also presented. Finally, smaller film thickness fluctuation intensities were associated with higher HTC fluctuation intensities, while the amplitude of the wall temperature fluctuations was almost proportional to the amplitude of the HTC fluctuations.

Mixing and axial dispersion in Taylor–Couette flows: The effect of the flow regime

The paper focuses on mixing properties of different Taylor–Couette flow regimes and their consequence on axial dispersion of a passive tracer. A joint approach, relying both on targeted experiments and numerical simulations, has been used to investigate the interaction between the flow characteristics and local or global properties of mixing.Hence, the flow and mixing have been characterized by means of flow visualization and simultaneous PIV (Particle Imaging Velocimetry) and PLIF (Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence) measurements, whereas the axial dispersion coefficient evolving along the successive flow states was investigated thanks to dye Residence Time Distribution measurements (RTD). The experimental results were complemented, for each flow pattern, by Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS), allowing access to 3D information. Both experimental and numerical results have been compared and confirmed the significant effect of the flow structure (axial wavelength of Taylor vortices and azimuthal wavenumber) on axial dispersion.

Conserved scalar mixing in a confined-opposed-jets flow

The focus of this paper is on the mixing of a conserved passive scalar for Sc = 1 (Sc is the Schmidt number) in axisymmetric turbulence for which the initial injections of turbulent kinetic energy and scalar variance are similar. Two confined-opposed-jets (COJ) are experimentally studied through simultaneous PIV (particle image velocimetry) and PLIF (planar laser induced fluorescence) measurements, for different flow regimes. One-point transport equation for the scalar variance is assessed through experimental data, along the common axis of the two opposed jets, and different physical phenomena are revealed (production, diffusion, dissipation). The production of scalar variance is equilibrated by the diffusion term (∼75%) and the mean dissipation of the scalar variance (∼25%). To further assess the scalar behaviour at each scale in this anisotropic, but axisymmetric, flow, a scale-by-scale scalar variance budget equation is derived for axisymmetric turbulence. This equation reduces to Yaglom's 4/3 law, under additional restrictions. The equation is assessed through experimental data, in the impingement region between the two COJ. In particular, the anisotropic energy transfer along different directions is quantified. It is shown that for scales smaller than the size of the central region, Δ, the cascade of the scalar variance is completely inhibited, independently of the particular direction. For scales larger than Δ, the apparent aspect of the energy transfer is that of an inverse cascade, with positive values of the scalar variance transfer. Nonetheless, inhomogeneity of the flow and mixing at those scales is directly responsible for these positive values.

Density and velocity statistics in variable density turbulent mixing

We experimentally study variable–density mixing of miscible gases in an open-circuit wind tunnel using simultaneous particle image velocimetry and planar laser-induced fluorescence. Experiments of a high Atwood number (0.6) and low Atwood number (0.1) are performed to compare non-Boussinesq cases with the Boussinesq limit. The higher density gas is injected into the wind tunnel co-flow using a round jet configuration, and near-field and far-field measurements are performed to examine mixing in both momentum and buoyancy-dominated regimes. The effects of buoyancy are measurable and important in both large-scale mixing features and in turbulence quantities. The low Atwood number PDFs (probability density functions) show fast and uniform mixing. The high Atwood number PDFs of density have skewness towards the larger densities, indicating less mixing of the heavy fluid due to its inertia. The skewness in the density gradient PDFs at high Atwood number displays strong density local variations that can enhance mixing at molecular scales. Turbulent kinetic energy decreases with streamwise distance from the jet for low Atwood number but increases for high Atwood number due to larger buoyancy and density-driven shear. Over 3000 experimental realisations are used to calculate statistical characteristics of the mixing, including valuable and rarely given data such as Favre-averaged turbulent quantities: mass flux velocity, Reynolds stress, turbulent kinetic energy, and density-specific volume correlation. Buoyancy effects are observed in these quantities and the trends are compared qualitatively with direct numerical simulations.

A simultaneous planar laser-induced fluorescence, particle image velocimetry and particle tracking velocimetry technique for the investigation of thin liquid-film flows

A simultaneous measurement technique based on planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging (PLIF) and particle image/tracking velocimetry (PIV/PTV) is described for the investigation of the hydrodynamic characteristics of harmonically excited liquid thin-film flows. The technique is applied as part of an extensive experimental campaign that covers four different Kapitza (Ka) number liquids, Reynolds (Re) numbers spanning the range 2.3–320, and inlet-forced/wave frequencies in the range 1–10Hz. Film thicknesses (from PLIF) for flat (viscous and unforced) films are compared to micrometer stage measurements and analytical predictions (Nusselt solution), with a resulting mean deviation being lower than the nominal resolution of the imaging setup (around 20μm). Relative deviations are calculated between PTV-derived interfacial and bulk velocities and analytical results, with mean values amounting to no more than 3.2% for both test cases. In addition, flow rates recovered using LIF/PTV (film thickness and velocity profile) data are compared to direct flowmeter readings. The mean relative deviation is found to be 1.6% for a total of six flat and nine wavy flows. The practice of wave/phase-locked flow-field averaging is also implemented, allowing the generation of highly localized velocity profile, bulk velocity and flow rate data along the wave topology. Based on this data, velocity profiles are extracted from 20 locations along the wave topology and compared to analytically derived ones based on local film thickness measurements and the Nusselt solution. Increasing the waviness by modulating the forcing frequency is found to result in lower absolute deviations between experiments and theoretical predictions ahead of the wave crests, and higher deviations behind the wave crests. At the wave crests, experimentally derived interfacial velocities are overestimated by nearly 100%. Finally, locally non-parabolic velocity profiles are identified ahead of the wave crests; a phenomenon potentially linked to the cross-stream velocity field.

Distributed reactions in highly turbulent premixed methane/air flames: Part I. Flame structure characterization

Simultaneous planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) measurements of a series of reactive scalars and Rayleigh scattering measurements of temperature, i.e. CH/CH2O/OH, HCO/CH2O/OH and T/CH2O/OH, and laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) measurements are carried out to characterize the flame/turbulence interaction in various regimes of turbulent combustion, including the laminar flamelet regime, the thin reaction zone (TRZ) regime, and the distributed reaction zone (DRZ) regime. A series of turbulent premixed methane/air jet flames with different jet speeds and equivalence ratios are studied. The jet Reynolds number ranges from 6000 to 40,000 and the Karlovitz number (Ka) of the studied flames varies from 25 to 1470. It is shown that in the TRZ regime CH/HCO layer remain thin but the layer of CH2O and temperature gradient are broadened owing to the rapid turbulence transport. In the DRZ regime the CH and HCO layers are also broadened owing to the rapid transport of reactive species such as OH radicals from the high temperature regions where these radicals are formed to the low temperature region. In the DRZ regime CH and HCO are found to coexist with OH or CH2O owing to the rapid turbulence eddy interaction, which differs fundamentally from that in the TRZ regime and the laminar flamelet regime. For the present investigated flames, the temperature range for the distributed reaction to occur is found to be between 1100K and 1500K. It is shown that the structures of flames in different regimes can affect the turbulence field differently. In the DRZ regime the temperature gradient is lower than that in the laminar flamelet and the TRZ regimes, which results in a lower peak of turbulence intensity owing to the retarded velocity gradient across the flames and thereby a lower rate of turbulence production.

An experimental characterization of liquid films in downwards co-current gas–liquid annular flow by particle image and tracking velocimetry

The hydrodynamics of downwards gas–liquid annular flows and falling films in a pipe were studied experimentally using simultaneous planar laser-induced fluorescence and a combination of particle image and particle tracking velocimetry techniques. The investigated conditions covered the range of liquid and gas Reynolds numbers: ReL=306–1532 and ReG=0–84600. The results presented in this paper concern: (i) information on the local and instantaneous velocity fields underneath the interfacial waves and the appearance of recirculation zones within the liquid films under certain conditions, and (ii) mean velocity, velocity fluctuation rms and kinetic energy profiles within the liquid films. The results indicate that large waves contain multiple recirculation zones, which may play an important role in the gas and liquid phase entrainment mechanisms as well as in the mass and momentum transfer from the near-wall region towards the gas–liquid interface.

Simultaneous formaldehyde PLIF and high-speed schlieren imaging for ignition visualization in high-pressure spray flames

We applied simultaneous schlieren and formaldehyde (CH2O) planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) imaging to investigate the low- and high-temperature auto-ignition events in a high-pressure (60bar) spray of n-dodecane. High-speed (150kHz) schlieren imaging allowed visualization of the temporal progression of the fuel vapor penetration as well as the low- and high-temperature ignition events, while formaldehyde fluorescence was induced by a pulsed (7-ns), 355-nm planar laser sheet at a select time during the same injection. Fluorescence from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) was also observed and was distinguished from formaldehyde PLIF both temporally and spatially. A characteristic feature previously recorded in schlieren images of similar flames, in which refractive index gradients significantly diminish, has been confirmed to be coincident with large formaldehyde fluorescence signal during low-temperature ignition. Low-temperature reactions initiate near the radial periphery of the spray on the injector side of the spray head. Formaldehyde persists on the injector side of the lift-off length and forms rapidly near the injector following the end of injection. The consumption of formaldehyde coincides with the position and timing of high-temperature ignition and low-density zones that are clearly evident in the schlieren imaging. After the end of injection, the formaldehyde that formed on the injector side of the lift-off length is consumed as a high-temperature ignition front propagates back toward the injector tip.

Flame speed and tangential strain measurements in widely stratified partially premixed flames interacting with grid turbulence

Methane-air partially premixed flames subjected to grid-generated turbulence are stabilized in a two-slot burner with initial fuel concentration differences leading to stratification across the stoichiometric concentration. The fuel concentration gradient at the location corresponding to the flame base is measured using planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) of acetone in the non-reacting mixing field. Simultaneous PLIF of the OH radical and particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements are performed to deduce the flow velocity and the flame front. These flames exhibit a convex premixed flame front and a trailing diffusion flame, with flow divergence upstream of the flame, as indicated by the instantaneous OH–PLIF, Mie scattering images, and PIV data. The mean streamwise velocity profile attains a global minimum just upstream of the flame front due to expansion of a gases caused by heat release. The flame speed measured just upstream of the flame leading edge is normalized with respect to the turbulent stoichiometric flame speed that takes into account variations in turbulent intensity and integral length scale. The turbulent edge flame speed exceeds the corresponding stoichiometric premixed flame speed and reaches a peak at a certain concentration gradient. The mean tangential strain at the flame leading edge locally peaks at the concentration gradient corresponding to the peak flame speed. The strain varies non-monotonically with the flame curvature unlike in a non-stratified curved premixed flame. The mechanism of peak flame speed is explained as the competition between availability of hot excess reactants from the premixed flame branches to the flame stretch induced due to flame curvature. The results suggest that the stabilization of lifted turbulent partially premixed flames occurs through an edge flame even at a relatively gentle concentration gradient. The strain is also evaluated along the flame front; it peaks at the flame leading edge and decreases gradually on either side of the leading edge. The present results also show qualitatively similar trends as those of laminar triple flames.

A calibration scheme for quantitative concentration measurements using simultaneous PIV and PLIF

A new approach for calibration of planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) measurements is presented. The calibration scheme is based on the fact that there is a constant concentration flux through each cross-section of a fluorescent plume in a given flow field and makes use of simultaneous measurements of particle image velocimetry (PIV) and PLIF. The following are the advantages of the current technique: (1) it is experimentally less demanding and (2) it does not require in situ calibration for generating the calibration curves. The technique can be implemented in many experimental setups (both in water and gaseous flows) provided the geometry of the time-averaged scalar field is known. Using the calibration scheme, an analysis is carried out on the measurements of concentration fields in grid turbulence to validate the proposed technique. To demonstrate the feasibility of the scheme, the distributed second-order moments (μ2), and concentration and velocity correlations (\( \left\langle {u^{\prime}c^{\prime}} \right\rangle \) and \( \left\langle {v^{\prime}c^{\prime}} \right\rangle \)) are computed. Good agreement is found with previous studies. In addition, a quantitative appraisal of a simple closure approximation of the moment-based transport equation is also presented using simultaneous PIV and PLIF.