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A parametric acoustic instability in premixed flames

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 April 2006

G. Searby  and
D. Rochwerger
G. Searby
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Recherche en Combustion, URA D1117 du CNRS. Faculté des Sciences de St Jérôme. Service 252, 13397 Marseille, Cedex 13, France
D. Rochwerger
Affiliation:
Laboratoire de Recherche en Combustion, URA D1117 du CNRS. Faculté des Sciences de St Jérôme. Service 252, 13397 Marseille, Cedex 13, France
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Abstract

We present an experimental and theoretical investigation of some aspects of the coupling between a premixed laminar quasi-planar flame front and acoustic standing waves in tubes. A multidimensional instability of the front arises from its interaction with the oscillating field of acceleration. This instability can be described by the Clavin–Williams laminar wrinkled flame theory in which the periodic acceleration created by the acoustic field is added to the acceleration due to gravity. As first suggested by Markstein, the resulting equation can be reduced to the Mathieu equation for a parametric oscillator. A cellular instability appears with a finite excitation threshold. This instability is responsible for the spontaneous generation of intense acoustic oscillations observed elsewhere. The value of the acoustic field at the threshold of instability and the wavelength of the cellular structures are measured experimentally for propane flames and are found to be in good agreement with the calculated values. It is also seen, both experimentally and theoretically, that for certain amplitudes of pumping, the parametric mechanism can also stabilize an initially unstable system.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 231 , October 1991 , pp. 529 - 543
Copyright
© 1991 Cambridge University Press

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