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Numerical investigation of the effects of turbulence on the ignition process in a turbulent MILD flame

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Abstract

In this study, we conduct three-dimensional nonlinear large-eddy simulation to investigate the interaction between turbulence and reaction during the initial ignition process of a turbulent methane/hydrogen jet-in-hot-coflow flame under moderate or intense low-oxygen dilution (MILD) condition. Special focus has been placed on the spatial development of the flame and the temporal evolution of representative ignition spots that characterize the range of ignition behaviors observed in the case. Results show that the ignition process of the flame consists of four consecutive phases. Ignition occurs initially with relatively lean mixtures, and compared to the corresponding homogeneous stagnant adiabatic combustion, the loss of radical species associated with flow transportation causes a delay in ignition. The initial ignition spots formed during the autoignition phase provide sufficient conditions for the stabilization of the flame, including the provision of a variety of key radicals. Results also show that the flow convection accompanying the hot coflow dominated the slow flame propagation, and the turbulent mixing is of great importance for rapid flame propagation. These findings will broaden our knowledge of MILD combustion and provide useful insights into advanced ignition control.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Dr. Songze Chen for stimulating discussions. This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant 51776082). Computing resources were provided by the National Supercomputer Center in Guangzhou

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Xiang Qian, Hao Lu, Chun Zou, Hanlin Zhang, Shujing Shao & Hong Yao

Authors
  1. Xiang Qian
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  2. Hao Lu
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  3. Chun Zou
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  4. Hanlin Zhang
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  5. Shujing Shao
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  6. Hong Yao
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Correspondence to Hao Lu or Chun Zou.

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Executive Editor: Yue Yang.

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Qian, X., Lu, H., Zou, C. et al. Numerical investigation of the effects of turbulence on the ignition process in a turbulent MILD flame. Acta Mech. Sin. 37, 1299–1317 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10409-021-01126-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10409-021-01126-7

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