Flame-acoustics interaction for symmetric and non-symmetric flames propagating in a narrow duct from an open to a closed end

Abstract

We present a numerical study of the interaction of the flame and acoustic waves when a laminar flame propagates in a narrow channel from an open to a closed end. It is shown that the coupling of the flame dynamics and the acoustics can lead to thermo-acoustic instabilities, that can result in large oscillations in the flame speed and pressure inside the duct. Additionally, it is shown that both symmetric and non-symmetric flames can propagate in these channels and that, because their response to acoustic oscillations is different, their interaction with the acoustic modes of the channel is also different. Therefore, the possibility of symmetry breaking needs to be taken into account in order to correctly predict the onset of acoustic flame instabilities in narrow channels.