Critical role of blockage ratio for flame acceleration in channels with tightly spaced obstacles

• A conceptually laminar mechanism of extremely fast flame acceleration in obstructed channels, identified by Bychkov et al. ["Physical mechanism of ultrafast flame acceleration," Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 164501 (2008)], is further studied by means of analytical endeavors and computational simulations of compressible hydrodynamic and combustion equations. Specifically, it is shown how the obstacles length, distance between the obstacles, channel width, and thermal boundary conditions at the walls modify flamepropagation through a comb-shaped array of parallel thin obstacles. Adiabatic and isothermal (cold and preheated) side walls are considered, obtaining minor difference between these cases, which opposes the unobstructed channel case, where adiabatic and isothermal walls provide qualitatively different regimes offlame propagation. Variations of the obstructed channel width also provide a minor influence on flamepropagation, justifying a scale-invariant nature of this acceleration mechanism. In contrast, the spacing between obstacles has a significant role, although it is weaker than that of the blockage ratio (defined as the fraction of the channel blocked by obstacles), which is the key parameter of the problem. Evolution of the burning velocity and the dependence of the flame acceleration rate on the blockage ratio are quantified. The critical blockage ratio, providing the limitations for the acceleration mechanism in channels with comb-shaped obstacles array, is found analytically and numerically, with good agreement between both approaches. Additionally, this comb-shaped obstacles-driven acceleration is compared to finger flameacceleration and to that produced by wall friction.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Annan fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Other Physics Topics (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Annan maskinteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Other Mechanical Engineering (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Fusion, plasma och rymdfysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Fusion, Plasma and Space Physics (hsv//eng)

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