Flame propagation across a flexible obstacle in a square cross-section channel

Abstract Flame propagation across a single flexible fence-type obstacle was studied experimentally in a square cross-section channel, and compared to results obtained using similar blockage ratio (BR) rigid obstacles. The experiments were carried out with different BRs in premixed stoichiometric hydrogen-air mixtures, at initial conditions of 101 kPa and 298 K. High-speed Schlieren photography was employed to gain insight into the flame front structure and the flame tip velocity. Pressure transducers were used to measure the pressure at different axial positions near the obstacle. Flame propagation was found to be strongly influenced by the flow contraction of the unburned gas upstream of the obstacle, and the separated flow downstream of the obstacle. The most significant effect of the flexible obstacle, compared to the rigid obstacle, was observed for BRs above 0.71. The flame front evolution was dominated by the shear layer coming off the obstacle leading-edge and the vortex downstream from the obstacle. For the rigid obstacle BRs tested, the shear layer coming off the obstacle leading-edge reattached to the top of the obstacle, resulting in a vortex (i.e., recirculation-zone) downstream of the obstacle. For the high BR flexible obstacles (BR > 0.43), significant obstacle deformation (downstream tilt and vertical compression), and an associated decrease in BR, resulted in slightly lower flame tip velocities past the obstacle. The downstream obstacle tilt resulted in a different type of separated flow, compared to that observed in the rigid obstacle, where the shear layer didn't reattach to the top of the obstacle. The resulting vortex and strong shear layer confined the flame tip to the top part of the channel, delaying the consumption of the unburned gas immediately downstream of the obstacle. The deformation of the flexible obstacle reduced the peak pressure and the rate of pressure rise compared to that obtained with the rigid obstacles.