Influence of Pressure Gradient on Flame-Vortex Interaction and Flame Stability

This study presents numerical investigations of turbulent premixed bluff-body stabilized flame by emphasizing the influence of pressure gradient on flame-vortex interaction and flame stability for lean combustion applications. Large eddy simulations of four different geometrical configurations, diffuser 3°, diffuser 1.5°, nominal, and nozzle that resulted in mild to strong pressure gradients are presented. Numerical investigations allowed determining the effects of geometry-induced pressure gradient on the flame structure, development of the flame-front vorticity and turbulent structures and flame stabilization. It is shown that the pressure gradient plays a key role for the spatial and temporal development of the flame front vorticity and baroclinic torque. The flow deceleration in diffuser geometries suppresses the flame-induced vorticity mechanisms, which in turn lead to large wrinkle forms of the flame and may lead to local extinctions along the flame front. The favorable pressure gradient in the nozzle geometry, on the contrary, increases the baroclinic torque that restrains the development of the shear layer vorticity and hence prevents local extinctions.