Publications

Understanding the ignition mechanism of high-pressure spray flames

Dahms, Rainer N.; Paczko, Günter A.; Skeen, Scott A.; Pickett, Lyle M.

A conceptual model for turbulent ignition in high-pressure spray flames is presented. The model is motivated by first-principles simulations and optical diagnostics applied to the Sandia n-dodecane experiment. The combined analysis established a conceptual model for turbulent ignition in high-pressure spray flames which is based on a set of identified characteristic time scales. The suddenly forming steep gradients from successful high-temperature ignition initiate the propagation of a turbulent flame. It rapidly ignites the entire spray head on time scales which are generally significantly smaller than the corresponding cool flame wave time scales.