Micro-mixing in Turbulent Flames: Perspective and Model Development Using Direct Numerical Simulation
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Engineering
Abstract
The quality of combustion determines the emission performance of energy producing devices. But the combustion process depends strongly on the mixing of fuel and air. The mixing at scales relevant for the combustion is commonly called as micro-mixing. The reactant mixing rate in turbulent flames is governed by the fluid dynamics, the molecular diffusion, and the heat release. Also, these processes are strongly coupled to one another. The current mathematical models describing the mixing phenomenon are based on our understanding of simple situations like zero heat release. Recent laser diagnostic studies of turbulent flames show the important influences of heat release and density fluctuation on the mixing process. Recent theoretical analysis by the principal investigator and his co--worker corroborates this experimental observation. In this project, we aim to develop a deep understanding on the micro-mixing process in turbulent flames by conducting direct numerical simulations. The information on the micro--mixing processes obtained from the direct simulation will be compared to Sydney Flames. The deep knowledge gained thus will be translated into a mathematical model which can be easily incorporated into industrial CFD codes. The expected outcome of this project is validated model(s) which are rigorously based on the fundamental conservation equation for the micro-mixing in turbulent flames.
People |
ORCID iD |
Nedunchezhian Swaminathan (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
J.W. Rogerson (Author)
(2007)
Correlation between dilatation and scalar dissipation in turbulent premixed flames
Kolla H
(2010)
Validation of a Turbulent Flame Speed Model across Combustion Regimes
in Combustion Science and Technology
Kolla H
(2009)
Scalar Dissipation Rate Modeling and its Validation
in Combustion Science and Technology
Ruan S
(2012)
Scalar and its dissipation in the near field of turbulent lifted jet flame
in Combustion and Flame
Description | A simple model for rate of scalar mixing at scales relevant for turbulent premixed combustion was developed. This model was unique as it captures the effects thermo-chemistry and turbulence for premixed flames and does not have a tunable parameter. This model was used to develop a new modelling framework for turbulent lean premixed combustion. These model have been validated using experimental data for wide range of thermo-chemical and turbulence conditions. |
Exploitation Route | These models have already found their ways for industry use. These models are implemented into Rolls-Royce in-house CFD code and commercial CFD codes for use by Siemens Industrial turbomachinery Ltd and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Research projects sponsored by industries |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Energy Transport |
Description | Directly used by industries such as Siemens, Rolls-Royce, Mitsubishi, Ford Motors, in their design calculations and development of future engines |
First Year Of Impact | 2009 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy,Transport |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Computations of turbulent premixed flames |
Amount | £21,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NMZA/080 |
Organisation | Siemens AG |
Department | Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery Ltd |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2008 |
End | 06/2011 |
Description | Computations of turbulent premixed flames |
Amount | £21,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NMZA/080 |
Organisation | Siemens AG |
Department | Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery Ltd |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Development of scalar dissipation rate based reaction rate models for large eddy simulation of premixed flames |
Amount | £156,288 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/I027556/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2011 |
End | 06/2015 |
Description | Modelling of turbulent premixed flames using PRECISE |
Amount | £20,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NMZA/741 |
Organisation | Rolls Royce Group Plc |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2006 |
End | 09/2009 |
Description | Modelling of turbulent premixed flames using PRECISE |
Amount | £20,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NMZA/741 |
Organisation | Rolls Royce Group Plc |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2006 |
End | 09/2009 |
Description | Pilot-main interaction |
Amount | £31,675 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RG50865 |
Organisation | Rolls Royce Group Plc |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2007 |
End | 03/2011 |
Description | Prediction of combustion instabilities in premixed and partially premixed flames |
Amount | £122,079 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RG60381 |
Organisation | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries |
Sector | Private |
Country | Japan |
Start | 09/2010 |
End | 11/2013 |
Description | Prediction of combustion instabilities in premixed and partially premixed flames |
Amount | £122,079 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RG60381 |
Organisation | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries |
Sector | Private |
Country | Japan |
Start | 09/2010 |
End | 02/2015 |
Description | Stratified flames |
Amount | £63,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EPSRC/ICASE |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2008 |
End | 12/2011 |
Description | Study of interacting turbulent flame using direct numerical simulation and laser diagnostics |
Amount | £342,619 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/F028741/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2008 |
End | 03/2012 |
Description | Study of interacting turbulent flames |
Amount | £30,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RG55127 |
Organisation | Rolls Royce Group Plc |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Turbulent lean premixed flame computations |
Amount | £62,298 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EPSRC/ICASE |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Title | combustion model |
Description | A novel, yet simple, combustion modelling method was developed in this project. This model was demonstrated successfully that it can be used over a very wide range of conditions for a variety of applications involving different flame configurations. For example, lab-scale flame, practical engines, and accidental explosions. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2010 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Used in many industries (MHI, Siemens, Rolls-Royce, Ford) worldwide in their routine CFD analysis. |
Description | Research Collaboration with TokyoTech |
Organisation | Tokyo Institute of Technology |
Department | Furui-Lab |
Country | Japan |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Because of the initial collaboration with Tokyo Tech through this project, the PI has been invited to collaborate with TokyoTech on a number of research and educational projects. The PI has been invited to be a co-investigator on two research projects (2010-13, 2011-15) on turbulent combustion with a combined total value of about £2.7M, awarded to Tokyo Tech by JSPS and MEXT. The PI has been invited to be an international co-operative partner in their 6 year educational programme with a value of about £25M awarded to Tokyo Tech by MEXT. The initial interaction through this project has evolved into a strong and successful collaboration. |
Collaborator Contribution | The partner allowed us to use their numerical simulation data to get insights required for model development in this project |
Impact | the papers resulted from this collaboration are listed in the publication list. |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | Can passive scalar mixing be extended to turbulent flames? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Physics of small scale mixing in turbulent flames. further discussion - possible research collaboration |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006 |
Description | Role of scalar dissipation rate in lean and partially premixed turbulent combustion |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | invited research seminar. - lead to research visits by some the researchers in the audience. Research visits to Cambridge by few audiences in the meeting - to learn about the research outcome deeply and its application |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
Description | Small scale mixing in turbulent premixed flames |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Scientific meeting (conference/symposium etc.) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | keynote/invited speaker |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Modelling and validation. Key not talk - considerable graduate research students' interest to learn about this topic and its impact on a wider scale |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |