Influence of turbulence on transient premixed flame propagation inside closed vessels

The explosion behaviour of CH4/air mixtures inside a closed 0.065 m3 spherical and a 1 m3 cylindrical vessel was investigated to determine the effect of turbulence on the structure and propagation rate of transient turbulent flames for different initial turbulence levels generated by 4 ventilators installed inside the equipment. Laser-Doppler and hot wire anemometry were used to measure the turbulent motion. It was found that fairly uniform turbulence could be achieved in the central zones of the vessels and that the RMS-values of flow velocity were proportional to the ventilator speed. The evaluation of burning velocity from the pressure/time records showed that, starting from an initial burning velocity which depends on the initial turbulence level, the flame accelerates as a result of pressure, temperature and turbulence effects. Maximum burning velocity coincides with the inflexion point of the pressure/time curve, and is followed by a rapid deceleration of the flame front. A linear relationship between burning velocity and measured RMS-velocity is recognized in the observed range of RMS-values.