Measurements of the turbulent burning velocity and the structure of premixed flames on a low-swirl burner

A method has been developed to accurately determine the turbulent burning velocity in planar turbulent premixed flames stabilized by a low swirl. Six lean methane/air flames have been investigated covering the flamelet as well as the thin reaction zones regime. The probability of finding the instantaneous flame front is measured together with the velocity field by combining simultaneously OH–laser-induced predissociative fluorescence with either Rayleigh thermometry or particle image velocimetry (PIV). It is demonstrated that the turbulent flame brush thickness is independent of v� /sL and that the turbulent burning velocity agrees with predictions from a model equation for the flame surface area ratio using the level set approach. The measurements of the two-dimensional flowfield show a recirculation zone downstream of the flame stabilization area. This exhibits a comparable flow pattern to stagnation point flames. However, mean strain rates are much lower since the flames stabilize close to the burner exit, and the flame is not influenced by the recirculation zone. A comparison of the root-mean-square velocities obtained from Laser-Doppler Amemometry measurements to those determined by PIV show a good agreement. It can be shown that turbulence is attenuated in the flame zone and only moderately increased behind it.