Weak Extinction Limits of Large-Scale Flameholders

Weak extinction data obtained from an experimental apparatus designed to simulate the characteristics of practical afterburner combustion systems are presented. The apparatus supplies mixtures of varied composition (equivalence ratio and degree of vitiation), temperature and velocity to Vee-gutter flame holders of various widths and shapes similar to those found in jet engine systems. The fuel employed is a liquid hydrocarbon whose chemical composition and physical properties correspond to those of aviation kerosine, JP5. An equation for predicting weak extinction limits which accounts for upstream vitiation and the chemical characteristics of the fuel is derived from stirred reactor theory. The correlation between the predictions and experimental results indicates that the stirred reactor approach can provide a framework for predicting the lean blowout limits of practical flameholders over wide ranges of engine operating conditions.