Flame dynamics in lean premixed CO/H2/air combustion in a mesoscale channel

The dynamics and Stabilization of fuel lean premixed CO/H-2/air atmospheric pressure flames in mesoscale channels were investigated numerically, using detailed gas phase chemistry and transport. Experiments in a channel flow reactor by means of chemiluminescence detection of the excited OH radical. allowed for model validation at steady conditions and identification of the conditions at which unsteady flame dynamics were present. A detailed parametric study of the influence of wall temperature and CO : H-2 ratio on the ensuing flame dynamics was performed. The numerical results revealed different flame modes which included oscillatory ignition, random ignition spots, as well as steady weak and V-shaped flames. The wall temperature stability intervals of these modes changed with the CO : H-2 ratio. The richest variety was found for molar CO : H-2 ratios between 4 and 10, while at lower ratios the random and the weak modes were absent. At higher ratios all the dynamic modes were suppressed. The Computational Singular Perturbation (CSP) method was used to obtain insights into the physicochemical processes responsible for the weak flames, which were found at relatively high inflow velocities compared to previous studies, and V-shaped flames. A kinetic explanation of the phenomena was supported by the CSP analysis. (C) 2013 The Combustion Institute, Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.