The Spatial Development Characteristics of High-Pressure Methane Jet Impinging on Methane Lean-Burn Premixed Flame

Abstract

This work investigated the effect of high-pressure (10 MPa) methane gas jet impinging on the methane lean-burn premixed flame (equivalent ratio of 0.7) based on a three-dimensional numerical simulation by CONVERGE software. The results show that laminar premixed flame is accelerated to develop into a stable turbulent flame under the action of the methane jet, the whole process of flame front development is divided into three stages: laminar (Reynolds number maintains stable, 1–1.3 ms), transition (Reynolds number shows an increasing trend, 1.4–8 ms), and turbulent (Reynolds number tends to stabilize at a high value, 1.9–3 ms). The effect of high-pressure jet on flame development along jet direction (Z axis) is greater than that on vertical direction (Y axis). During turbulence stage, the momentum and kinetic energy of Z axis are 2.7 and 6.3 times greater than that of Y axis, respectively. The high-pressure methane jet causes a change in heat distribution, resulting in local flameout. The rate of change in the local flameout area is greater than that in the flame area, causing a temperature drop in Z axis. This temperature drop increases with the increase in equivalence ratio and with the decrease in distance between cross-section position and ignition center.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yan Lei

Yan Lei is an Associate Professor in Thermal Energy Engineering at Beijing University of Technology, China. She received her Ph.D. in Thermal Energy Engineering from Beijing University of Technology in 2008. Her research interests include energy-saving and purification technologies in low-carbon intelligent power domains, emission control technologies for hybrid vehicles, and basic research on flow and combustion. She has published more than 40 papers in journals and conferences and has more than 10 patents.

Ying Wang

Ying Wang is a graduate student majoring in Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics at Beijing University of Technology, China. Her research focuses on flow and combustion in internal combustion engines.

Tao Qiu

Tao Qiu is a Professor of Thermal Energy Engineering at Beijing University of Technology, China. He received his Ph.D. in Power Mechanics and Engineering from Beijing Institute of Technology in 2005. His research interests are powertrain flow matching: fuel system and exhaust system flow and combustion; intelligent power system: emission detection and control, electric drive, vehicle intelligence, health management. He is a member of the Chinese Journal of Transactions of CSICE, a member of the Sanwang Aviation Piston Engine Committee, and a member of the Vehicle Control and Intelligence Committee of the Chinese Society of Automation. He has published more than 50 papers in journals and conferences and has more than 20 patents.

Huihui Chen

Huihui Chen is a graduate student majoring in Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics at Beijing University of Technology, China. Her research focuses on flow and combustion in internal combustion engines.