The prediction of reactive turbulent flows

A finite volume method with implicit time steps is used to model turbulent premixed flames passing through combustion chambers that feature either planar or axisymmetric geometries. Flame entry speeds over the 5-200 m/sec range are considered. An example is furnished for a combustion heat of 1600 K, an entry velocity of 5 m/sec, and turbulence equal to 0.002 kg/msec, with the results compared to experimental data. It is found that the predicted recirculation is less than that observed empirically, due to using a value for the turbulent viscosity in the reactive flow that was the same as the value used in a nonreactive flow. The implicit method is concluded to be more accurate in the asymptotic regime than an explicit characterization.