Sharif Digital Repository

Acoustically excited lean premixed low-swirl flames were experimentally investigated to gain a better understanding of detrimental thermoacoustic couplings which can occur in applications like low-NOx gas turbines. Propane-air flames were imaged and analyzed at equivalence ratios of 0.6 to 0.8, mean flow velocities of 3.5 to 5.5 m/s and excitation frequencies of 135 Hz to 555 Hz. It was observed that with increasing excitation frequency, mean flame shape gradually became wider up to a Strouhal number of about 2.5 and then slowly reverted back to the unexcited flame shape. Such large changes in mean flame shape and possibly flow field under acoustic excitations can significantly affect flame... 

In this study, simultaneous particle image velocimetry and planar laser induced fluorescence of hydroxyl radical, chemiluminescence imaging, and hot-wire measurements are utilized to study reacting low swirl flow dynamics under low to high amplitude acoustic excitations. Results show that a temporal weak recirculation zone exists downstream of the flame, which is enlarged in size under acoustic excitations. Investigations show that temporal behaviors of this recirculation zone play a significant role in flame movements and instabilities. As the acoustic wave amplitude increases, the flame lift-off distance changes drastically, resulting in flame instabilities (flashback and blowout) during...