Flame propagation behavior of propane–air premixed combustion in a confined space with two perforated plates at different initial pressures

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this paper is to analyze local autoignition induced by secondary flame acceleration. The secondary flame acceleration process and the local autoignition formation mechanism at the condition of the secondary flame acceleration propagation were investigated by utilizing an improved designed constant volume combustion bomb (CVCB) with two perforated plates. Primary flame and secondary flame propagation were recorded via high‐speed schlieren photography. The results showed that there were three distinct stages in the process of flame propagation through two perforated plates, which were the primary jet flame stage, secondary jet flame stage, and flame‐shock interaction stage. The morphologies of the flame were analyzed by high‐speed Schlieren images, flame velocities, and pressure oscillation including primary jet propagation, secondary flame formation and acceleration, and location autoignition. Results show the effect of initial pressure on flame propagation, flame velocity, and pressure oscillation. Acceleration of secondary flame and local autoignition phenomenon was more precisely demonstrated as unburnt gases were compressed by flame waves (different velocities) with initial pressure increasing. Based on the morphology of flame, three different types of flame combustion modes were captured at different initial pressure involving turbulent flame, deflagration, and quasi‐detonation. The present work might provide a new insight for combustion science in a confined space, such as autoignition due to compression effect of secondary jet flame and primary flame interaction. It also provides the theory guidance and research direction towards further studies on propane storage vessel deflagration.

Keywords

• deflagration
• end‐gas autoignition
• local autoignition
• pressure oscillation
• quasi‐detonation
• secondary flame