Characteristics of a Turbulent Propane Diffusion Flame in a Cross-Wind*

An experimental study of the characteristics of a turbulent propane diffusion flame in a cross-wind is described. Data are presented on the flame length, the distance from the nozzle at which the flame is anchored, the lateral spread of the flame and the trajectory of the flame, as functions of cross-wind and jet velocities. The results indicate that bent-over turbulent hydrocarbon diffusion flames exhibit many prominent features of turbulent jets in a cross-wind. The centre line trajectories of these flames can be predicted with reasonable accuracy using the correlations developed for cold jets, but the cold-jet data cannot be used to predict the lateral spread of the flames. Also, the flame length, stability and radiation characteristics can be explained in terms of the entrainment and turbulence in the near-nozzle region. The problems of scaling the results to industrial flares are indicated.