Pressure wave excitation of natural flame frequencies

Abstract

Theoretical investigations by McIntosh predicted the existence of a high-frequency natural resonance in premixed flames. In this work we examine this phenomenon using numerical techniques and predict the resonance frequency for commonly used hydrocarbon flames. It is found that resonance occurs when the width of the pressure pulse is similar to the the width of the flame region. The resonance frequency is found to increase with the burning velocity and decrease with the burnt temperature.

Acknowledgements

This work is sponsored by BP in conjunction with EPSRC. The authors would like to thank Prof. Elaine Oran of Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC, USA, for her advice and supply of the LCPFCT solver.