Analysis and Observations of Inclined Turbulent Flame Plumes

Abstract

A quasi one-dimensional analysis, based upon the entrainment concept of Taylor (1945), is discussed for the motion of a turbulent gas jet inclined to the vertical and burning in stagnant surroundings. Trajectories and growth rates computed from the analysis are compared with those inferred from shadow and direct photographs of ethane flame plumes. Good agreement is obtained between the theory and the observations when the entrainment constant is given the same value as is found for non-burning plumes and the model of Emmons and Ying (1967) is adopted for the burning rate. The effects of thermal radiation, accounted for indirectly in the present theory, cannot be properly estimated in the absence of more detailed measurements than those presented here.