This study investigates the structure and stabilization of a recirculation-stabilized ethylene-air flame in a supersonic co-flow. It involves combustion science and aims to understand the roles of fuel jet momentum and flame dynamics in maintaining combustion stability.
The researchers employed OH Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) and high-speed chemiluminescence imaging to capture flame dynamics. The focal tool in this analysis was the Cerco 100mm f/2.8 UV lens, which, together with a bandpass filter, enabled capturing detailed fluorescence signals vital for understanding the radical pool dynamics at the flame’s core.
The study highlighted the critical influence of fuel jet momentum on flame stability. Key findings include a correlation between the jet break-up region’s shape and high heat release areas, and the discovery of a large-scale instability reflected in the temporal coupling between flame base position and fuel jet penetration height.
This research enriches our understanding of flame stabilization mechanisms within supersonic combustion applications, demonstrating the analytical power of advanced imaging techniques. Future work can explore optimizing injector designs and adapting flame stabilization methods for different fuel-oxidizer systems to enhance performance and efficiency in high-speed propulsion technologies.
Strahan, N. L., Geiger, R. T., DeVerter, W. B., Greder, W. D., Gejji, R., Peterson, D. M., & Slabaugh, C. D. (2025). Structure and Stabilization Mechanisms of an Ethylene-Air Flame in Supersonic Co-Flow. In AIAA SCITECH 2025 Forum (p. 0468).