Experimental measurements of the lift-off velocity and lift-off height, and numerical simulations were conducted on the liftoff and stabilization phenomena of laminar jet diffusion flames of inert-diluted C3H and CH4 fuels. Both non-reacting and reacting jets were investigated, including effects of multi-component diffusivities and heat release (buoyancy and gas expansion). The role of Schmidt number for non-reacting jets was investigated, with no conclusive Schmidt number criterion for liftoff previously known in similarity solutions. The cold-flow simulation for He-diluted CH4 fuel does not predict flame liftoff; however, adding heat release reaction leads to the prediction of liftoff, which is consistent with experimental observations. Including reaction was also found to improve liftoff height prediction for C3H flames, with the flame base location differing from that in the similarity solution--the intersection of the stoichiometric and iso-velocity contours is not necessary for flame stabilization (and thus lift-off). Possible mechanisms other than that proposed for similarity solution may better help to explain the stabilization and liftoff phenomena. The stretch rate at a wide range of isotherms near the base of the lifted tribrachial flame were also quantitatively plotted and analyzed.

Several researchers have examined the concept of flame stability and there has been little agreement regarding the reasons governing this phenomenon. The experiments described within were devised to establish the dominating stabilization mechanism in lifted flames. Specifically, the flame base of lifted methane-jet diffusion flames were examined through the use of various combinations of synchronized laser-based techniques involving particle image velocimetry (PIV), planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF), and Rayleigh scattering. Results indicate the presence of a structure termed a flame. Results involving the gradient in the Rayleigh signal across the flame base, in addition to two-shot CH-PLIF interpretations support the leading-edge flame as a primary stabilization mechanism. The extent of premixing upstream of the flame base has been a major source of disagreement in the past. The simultaneous Rayleigh and CH-PLIF images indicate the base of the lifted flame lies in a region that is within the flammability limits of methane burning in air. Furthermore, the average velocity at the stabilization point is 1.18 m/s (as determined from the simultaneous CH-PLIF and PIV investigation); this value is comparable to three times the laminar burning velocity of methane (~ 3S), thereby supporting previous numerical triple flame simulations. Results from the joint two-shot CH-PLIF and PIV technique show that the flame base velocity is independent of the flow conditions when the flame is stationary during the time separation of the CH-PLIF pulses. Specifically, flames with Re flow conditions. Finally, regions of local extinction -- as indicated by openings in the CH profiles -- were examined. Results from four experiments (simultaneous CH-PLIF and PIV, simultaneous CH-PLIF and OH-PLIF, simultaneous CH-PLIF and Rayleigh scattering, and simultaneous two-shot CH-PLIF and PIV) provide complementary information regarding the role of large-scale fuel vortices in initiat.

Keywords: lifted flame, flame stabilization, triple flame, PIV, PLIF, Rayleigh scattering.