Flame Propagation in an Eddy Combustion Chamber

Combustion in model eddy combustion chamber was investigated in order to obtain insight into the combustion mechanism. High-speed schlieren cinematography and recording of the ionization current were used in the experiments.

It was established theoretically and experimentally that the flame kernel formed by ignition at periphery moved towards the rotation axis and reached it in a time of the order of that for the mixture rotatory cycle at the periphery, irrespective of the circular speed of gas rotation and of the chamber size. After reaching the rotation axis, the kernel acquired the form of rotating body. The radial spread of this body can be lower than the visible rate of the immobile gas burning, due to the fast elongation of the rotating body along the axis.

The results obtained are essential for understanding the phenomena occurring in eddy chamber of diesel engine and engines with spark ignition at an eddy motion.