Study on the Flame Propagation Process in an Ignited Hydrogen Jet 2008-01-1035

Fundamental investigation is conducted on flow and the spark-ignited combustion process of a high-speed, unsteady hydrogen jet, by experimental and theoretical approaches. Jet development and flame propagation in a constant-volume vessel were visualized by means of the shadowgraph technique. The effects of ignition timing and ignition location on the combustion process were investigated. Furthermore, a numerical simulation was performed by using incompressible-flow type computational fluid dynamics with the k-ε turbulence model and the flamelet concept. The pseudo-nozzle concept is applied to the inlet condition with a large pressure gradient. The flame propagation process is described by reference to the flame area evolution model. The results show that the pressure-history in a vessel and the flame propagation process are successfully described for experimental data. Furthermore, the flame propagation process in a jet is investigated.