On Q* and the dynamics of turbulent diffusion flames

A dimensionless scaling parameter originally derived by Zukoski from analysis of non-reacting turbulent plumes, Q*, has been applied extensively and successfully in the literature to correlate heights of turbulent diffusion flames. However, from new flame height measurements at laboratory temperature and substantially above and below laboratory temperature it is clear that this parameter does not account correctly for variations in the ambient temperature. An alternative scaling parameter, N, derived some time ago specifically for the flaming region does account for the observed variations inflame height with ambient temperature (increasing fame height with increasing ambient temperature). The capabilities of other scaling parameters with respect to ambient temperature variations are also assessed, including a recent formulation by Blake and McDonald. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.