An investigation of oscillating instabilities in deflagrations with edges

Abstract

We examine the Lewis-number-greater-than-1 stability of a deflagration sitting on a porous-plug burner with an inert coflow. The flame edges generated by the coflow influence the stability, and this influence is examined. Very wide flames display the same stability characteristics as unbounded flames (flames sans edges), but for moderately wide flames the instability is suppressed. A new two-dimensional instability can occur for narrow flames. There is a range of mass fluxes for which a monotonic decrease in burner (flame) width generates a transition from unstable flames to stable flames, to unstable flames, to quenching. The insertion of a cold probe into the combustion field can stabilize an unstable flame or destabilize a stable flame, depending on the point of insertion.