Innovative tools for investigation on flame dynamics by means of fast imaging

Computer vision and image processing are increasingly being used as investigative tools in various fields of science. Compared to other types of measurement techniques, image processing of high-speed camera shooting allows to obtain semi-quantitative information on dynamic aspects of the phenomenon under investigation. Combustion, both for propulsion and for energy production, is characterized by very fast phenomena that cannot be revealed by the typical measurement techniques used in test rigs for the development of prototypes. These dynamic phenomena, often called flame dynamics or flame instability, heavily affect the performance of modern combustors and their study has become essential, not only for the scientific knowledge of the phenomena, but also for the development of new combustion techniques. Therefore, for more than twenty years, the scientific community has been using fast imaging techniques to reveal phenomena that occur during combustion and this has allowed us to deepen our knowledge of the complex phenomena related to combustion itself. This paper describes the use of fast imaging and image processing techniques for the investigation of flame instability phenomena generated by gas turbine burners in an atmospheric test rig where a full-scale burner is tested. Optical investigations are conducted in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum.