Experiments and Modeling of Flame/Wall Interaction in Spark-Ignition (SI) Engine Conditions

Dedicated experiments were performed in an optically-accessible, constant volume combustion vessel whose geometry and aerodynamic flow was representative of a pentroof SI engine combustion chamber. A detailed characterization of the flowfield was conducted in several near-wall regions where flame-wall interaction occurs using high-speed Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Simultaneous heat flux measurements were also performed at these same spatial locations.

From a numerical point of view, current Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) or Large Eddy Simulation (LES) models take into account the effects of the wall on the flame however the effects of the turbulent flame-wall interaction on wall heat flux are not accounted for. Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) of a 2D, premixed, steady-state V-flame were performed in order to aid the development and validation of a new model based on the flame surface density concept in order to take into account flame-wall interaction effects [1]. The new model attempts to evaluate the proportion of the flame in the computational cell that interacts with the wall as the quenching distance is reached. This new model was employed in the present study using a RANS approach with the objective of performing numerical simulations of the constant volume chamber experiment. The experimental and numerical methods are described while a detailed analysis and comparison of the computational and experimental results is discussed.