Boundary layer flashback of H2/Air premixed flames in a swirling flow around a central body

Fast and thin premixed hydrogen flames can lead to flashback scenarios which are unusual, especially for swirled configurations. Flashback can occur far from all walls, in the bulk flow, if the flow speed is less than the flame speed: this is a scenario which is usually avoided by increasing flow rates. However, flashback can also occur near walls where the flow speed goes to zero. Injector walls boundary layers always contain a zone where the local flow speed is less than the flame speed, even if the bulk flow velocity is large. The size of this zone is controlled by the velocity gradient at the wall which is the classical parameter used to predict flashbacks in boundary layers.

In this study, flashback of lean hydrogen–air flames is computed using DNS (Direct Numerical Simulation)(flame resolved). Without swirl, results are compared and validated against experimental measurements and usual flashback criteria based on wall velocity gradient. DNS are also performed with swirl in a sector of an annular chamber, providing maps of flashback occurrence as function of swirl number and wall velocity gradient. Results show that swirl enhances flashback propensity and that thermodiffusive effects must be accounted to build a flashback criteria, indeed very lean H${}_2$ flames flashback for flow speeds higher than expected.

Novelty and significance

Almost all injection systems designed for hydrogen face a new, key issue in terms of operability: flashback. This study presents for the first time an analysis of the combined effects on flashback of the velocity gradients at the wall and of swirl. DNS of a swirling flow around a central body are performed and flashback maps are produced in a (swirl-velocity gradient) diagram of direct use for systems injecting lean premixed hydrogen–air mixtures.