Combustion Effects on the Preflame Flow Field in a Research Engine

Measurements are presented for the turbulence intensities and mean velocities obtained in a research engine in which a grid was used to create a flow field characterized by negligible mean motions and homogeneous and isotropic turbulence at the time of ignition. Pressure measurements for homogeneous stoichiometric combustion indicate a very low level of cyclic variation. The combustion-induced mean flow field is shown to be characteristic of a one-dimensional compression of the unburned gases, which produces a small increase in the bulk turbulent kinetic energy ahead of the flame. Most of the effect of combustion appears to occur locally, as the turbulence in the preflame gases close to the flame front is strongly amplified in the direction of flame propagation. Parallel to the flame surface there is little effect until the flame has propagated nearly all the way across the chamber.