CAREER: Acoustic Radiation From Turbulent Premixed Flames: Fundamentals and Diagnostic Applications

Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta GA

Investigators

Abstract

In this effort, the fundamental fluid mechanics and chemical kinetics that control acoustic radiation from flames are investigated, and, using this knowledge, the capability is developed for using acoustic measurements as a high-bandwidth diagnostic of heat release in turbulent flames. Detailed flow- and flame-characterization studies are performed over a wide range of Reynolds and Damkohler numbers. Experiments include two- and three-dimensional velocity field characterization, hydroxyl (OH) planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) to determine flame-front characteristics, and high-frequency pressure and temperature measurements using microphones and fine-wire thermocouples. Measurements are made for different burner diameters and flow velocities to systematically assess turbulent velocity and length-scale effects on flame-generated noise, and also over ranges of equivalence ratio, inlet air temperature, and fuel type in order to assess the effects of laminar flame velocity, laminar flame thickness, and Lewis number on acoustic properties.