Physical Mechanism of Ultrafast Flame Acceleration

Vitaly Bychkov, Damir Valiev, and Lars-Erik Eriksson
Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 164501 – Published 13 October 2008

Abstract

We explain the physical mechanism of ultrafast flame acceleration in obstructed channels used in modern experiments on detonation triggering. It is demonstrated that delayed burning between the obstacles creates a powerful jetflow, driving the acceleration. This mechanism is much stronger than the classical Shelkin scenario of flame acceleration due to nonslip at the channel walls. The mechanism under study is independent of the Reynolds number, with turbulence playing only a supplementary role. The flame front accelerates exponentially; the analytical formula for the growth rate is obtained. The theory is validated by extensive direct numerical simulations and comparison to previous experiments.

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  • Received 30 April 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.164501

©2008 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Vitaly Bychkov1, Damir Valiev1,2, and Lars-Erik Eriksson3

  • 1Institute of Physics, Umeå University, SE-901 87, Umeå, Sweden
  • 2Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology, SE-10044 Stockholm, Sweden
  • 3Department of Applied Mechanics, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden

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Issue

Vol. 101, Iss. 16 — 17 October 2008

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