Self-similar accelerative propagation of expanding wrinkled flames and explosion triggering

Abstract

The formulation of Taylor on the self-similar propagation of an expanding spherical piston with constant velocity was extended to an instability-wrinkled deflagration front undergoing acceleration with R(F)∝t(α), where R(F) is the instantaneous flame radius, t the time, and α a constant exponent. The formulation describes radial compression waves pushed by the front, trajectories of gas particles, and the explosion condition in the gas upstream of the front. The instant and position of explosion are determined for a given reaction mechanism. For a step-function induction time, analytic formulas for the explosion time and position are derived, showing their dependence on the reaction and flow parameters including thermal expansion, specific heat ratio, and acceleration of the front.