Scattering and Excitation of Acoustic Waves by Turbulent Flames

Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Atlanta GA

Investigators

Abstract

This is a theoretical investigation of the excitation and scattering of acoustic waves by turbulent flames. Specifically, it examines the acoustic radiation characteristics of moving, convoluted flame fronts of various scales of roughness. It also looks at how the spatial and temporal characteristics of the scattered and excited waves can be used as a diagnostic of turbulent flame fronts. The study uses a coupled integral equation approach to analyze the acoustic field. The complete solution requires the solution of two such equations, describing the field upstream and downstream of the flame, that are coupled by mass, momentum, and energy conservation conditions. Analytical solutions are obtained in certain limiting cases, while a numerical boundary-element approach is used for analytically intractable cases. This effort complements an experimental study of the same phenomena supported by a CAREER award to the principal investigator.