Numerical Simulation of Methane Combustion with and without Radiation Models

Abstract

The present work is a numerical simulation results from the modelling of a non-premixed methane fl ame with andwithout radiation models. CFD studies using FLUENT code were carried out for three cases; without radiation model,with the P-1 radiation model and with the discrete transfer radiation model. The model results from these three casesare compared with each other and with the experimental results. The discrete transfer and of the P-1 radiation modelsare assessed in a swirling methane non-premixed flame confined in an axisymmetric combustor. The predictions areinvolving the modeling of the combustion and radiation phenomena. Computational results with and without radiationeffects are compared with experimental data and the two radiation models are evaluated in terms of computationalefficiency, ease of application and predictive accuracy. The effects of momentum flux, swirl number and air inlettemperature on flame characteristics are examined. A comparison of realizable k- and standard k- turbulentmodels are presented. The results show the significant effect of studied parameters on the flame characteristics andtemperature patterns.The results have demonstrated that the effect of thermal radiation is important even in flames, andthat the discrete transfer and the P-1 radiation models and realizable k- turbulent model can be applied in industrialgas furnaces with relative ease, yielding accurate predictions.