Progress in knowledge of flamelet structure and extinction

Abstract In the past 25 years there has been a considerable amount of progress in studying flamelets, their structures and their responses to various perturbations. The term “flamelet” as used here really would mean “laminar flame” to most readers and is employed only because a major motivation is for ultimate use in connection with more complex flows, mainly turbulent. There is, however, no consideration here of how the knowledge reviewed may be employed in flamelet modeling of turbulent combustion. Not even time-dependent flamelets are addressed, although a few related references are provided. The focus is narrower, namely on quasisteady flamelets, and therefore the considerations of flamelet extinction that are presented concern quasisteady extinction, that is, not the dynamics of extinction. Even in this narrow context, it will be seen that a great deal has been accomplished. When such a long-term view is taken, it is found remarkable how much progress has been made. The progress is addressed separately for premixed, nonpremixed and partially premixed systems. Suggested directions of future research also are indicated. Despite the limited scope of the topic and the extensive advancement that has occurred, much more research remains to be done.