R.W. Bilger

Bio: R.W. Bilger is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Combustion & Flame structure. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 659 citations.

Effects of turbulence on species mass fractions in methane/air jet flames

Abstract: It is important that combustion models capture the effects of turbulent mixing on reaction zone structure in non-premixed and partially premixed flames. A more complete understanding of the response of species mass fractions to turbulent mixing is needed to improve predictive capabilities, particularly with regard to combustion intermediates and minor species. Using the combination of Raman scattering. Rayleigh scattering, and laser-induced fluorescence, simultaneous measurements of CO, OH, H2, and NO are obtained along with the major species, temperature, and mixture fraction in a series of six piloted methane/air jet flames. Flame conditions vary from laminar to turbulent with significant localized extinction. Two-photon laser-induced fluorescence (TPLIF) is used to determine instantaneous CO concentrations, providing an improvement over Raman scattering measurements of CO in methane flames. Conditional probability density functions (cpdf's) of species mass fractions in the six flames are compared. Significant changes are observed in the mass fraction cpdf's of several species. Results for H2O, CO2, H2, and OH are consistent with the concept that turbulent transport becomes dominant over molecular diffusion within the range of Reynolds numbers and axial locations considered in these experiments. The cpdf's of CO mass fraction are broadened in the turbulent flames relative to the laminar flame. However, there is not an increase in the maximum conditional mean value of the CO mass fraction as suggested by some previously reported measurements in methane flames. The cpdf's of NO mass fraction at a given streamwise location in the turbulent flames show NO levels decreasing significantly as jet velocity increases.

Structure of turbulent non-premixed jet flames in a diluted hot coflow

Abstract: Moderate and intense low oxygen dilution combustion is a newly implemented and developed concept to achieve high thermal efficiency and fuel savings while maintaining emission of pollutants at very low levels. It utilizes the concept of heat and exhaust gas recirculation to achieve combustion at a reduced temperature, a flat thermal field, and low turbulence fluctuations. An experimental burner is used in this study to simulate the heat and exhaust gas recirculation applied to a simple jet in a hot coflow. Temporally and spatially resolved measurements of reactive scalars are conducted on three different turbulent nonpremixed flames of a H2/CH4 fuel mixture at a fixed-jet Reynolds number, and different oxygen levels in the hot oxidant stream. The data were collected using the single-point Raman-Rayleigh-laser-induced fluorescence technique. The results show substantial variation in the flame structure and appearance with the decrease of the oxygen level. By reducing the oxygen level in the hot coflow, the flame becomes less luminous, the temperature increase in the reaction zone can get as low as 100 K, and the levels of CO and OH are substantially lowered. The levels of NO also decrease with decreasing the oxygen levels and at 3% by mass, it is less that 5 ppm. For this case, a widely distributed NO profile is found which is not consistent with profiles for other oxygen levels.

Simultaneous laser raman-rayleigh-lif measurements and numerical modeling results of a lifted turbulent H2/N2 jet flame in a vitiated coflow

Abstract: An experiment and numerical investigation is presented of a lifted turbulent H2/N2 jet flame in a coflow of hot, vitiated gases. The vitiated coflow burner emulates the coupling of turbulent mixing and chemical kinetics exemplary of the reacting flow in the recirculation region of advanced combustors. It also simplifies numerical investigation of this coupled problem by removing the complexity of recirculating flow. Scalar measurements are reported for a lifted turbulent jet flame of H2/N2 (Re = 23,600, H/d = 10) in a coflow of hot combustion products from a lean H2/Air flame ((empty set) = 0.25, T = 1,045 K). The combination of Rayleigh scattering, Raman scattering, and laser-induced fluorescence is used to obtain simultaneous measurements of temperature and concentrations of the major species, OH, and NO. The data attest to the success of the experimental design in providing a uniform vitiated coflow throughout the entire test region. Two combustion models (PDF: joint scalar Probability Density Function and EDC: Eddy Dissipation Concept) are used in conjunction with various turbulence models to predict the lift-off height (H(sub PDF)/d = 7,H(sub EDC)/d = 8.5). Kalghatgi's classic phenomenological theory, which is based on scaling arguments, yields a reasonably accurate prediction (H(sub K)/d = 11.4) of the lift-off height for the present flame. The vitiated coflow admits the possibility of auto-ignition of mixed fluid, and the success of the present parabolic implementation of the PDF model in predicting a stable lifted flame is attributable to such ignition. The measurements indicate a thickened turbulent reaction zone at the flame base. Experimental results and numerical investigations support the plausibility of turbulent premixed flame propagation by small scale (on the order of the flame thickness) recirculation and mixing of hot products into reactants and subsequent rapid ignition of the mixture.