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Cross-wind-induced spanwise flapping of tandem turbulent diffusion flames: experimental- and large eddy simulation-based study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 June 2025

Yuhang Chen ,
Kazui Fukumoto Open the ORCID record for Kazui Fukumoto [Opens in a new window] ,
Yanli Miao ,
Jingru Zheng ,
Fei Tang Open the ORCID record for Fei Tang [Opens in a new window]  and
Longhua Hu Open the ORCID record for Longhua Hu [Opens in a new window]
Yuhang Chen
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Fire Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, PR China
Kazui Fukumoto
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Fire Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, PR China
Yanli Miao
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Fire Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, PR China
Jingru Zheng
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Fire Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, PR China
Fei Tang*
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Fire Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, PR China
Longhua Hu*
Affiliation:
State Key Laboratory of Fire Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, PR China
*
Corresponding authors: Longhua Hu, hlh@ustc.edu.cn; Fei Tang, ftang@ustc.edu.cn
Corresponding authors: Longhua Hu, hlh@ustc.edu.cn; Fei Tang, ftang@ustc.edu.cn
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Abstract

This research investigates the spanwise oscillation patterns of turbulent non-premixed flames in a tandem configuration, using both experimental methods and large eddy simulations under cross-airflow conditions. Based on the heat release rate (17.43–34.86 kW) and the burner size (0.15 $\times$ 0.15 m), the flame behaves like both a buoyancy-controlled fire (such as a pool fire) and, due to cross-wind effects, a forced flow-controlled fire. The underlying fire dynamics was modelled by varying the spacing between the square diffusion burners, cross-wind velocity and heat release rate. Two flapping modes, the oscillating and bifurcating modes, were observed in the wake of the downstream diffusion flame. This behaviour depends on the wake of the upstream diffusion flame. As the backflow of the upstream flame moved downstream, the maximum flame width of the downstream flame became broader. The flapping amplitude decreased with a stronger cross-wind. Furthermore, the computational fluid dynamics simulation was performed by FireFOAM based on OpenFOAM v2006 2020 to investigate the flapping mechanism. The simulation captured both modes well. Disagreement of the flapping period on the left and right sides results in the oscillating mode, while an agreement of the flapping period results in the bifurcating mode. Finally, the scaling law expressed the dimensionless maximum flame width with the proposed set of basic dimensional parameters, following observations and interpretation by simulations. The results help prevent the potential hazards of this type of basic fire scenario and are fundamentally significant for studying wind-induced multiple fires.

JFM classification

Vortex Flows: Vortex shedding Reacting Flows: Flames Wakes/Jets: Wakes

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Type
JFM Papers
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 1014 , 10 July 2025 , A10
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© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

†

Both authors contributed equally as co-first authors.

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Supplementary material: File

Chen et al. supplementary material movie 1

Experimental overhead video image at a crosswind velocity of 2 m/s, S/D=3, and heat release rates of both the upstream and downstream burners of 17.43 kW.
Download Chen et al. supplementary material movie 1(File)
File 7.6 MB
Supplementary material: File

Chen et al. supplementary material movie 2

Computational video of the flame volume and velocity vectors corresponding to a crosswind velocity of 2 m/s, S/D=3, and heat release rates of both the upstream and downstream burners of 17.43 kW.
Download Chen et al. supplementary material movie 2(File)
File 13.8 MB
Supplementary material: File

Chen et al. supplementary material movie 3

Computational video of flame volume corresponding to a crosswind velocity of 2 m/s, S/D=3, and heat release rates of both the upstream and downstream burners of 17.43 kW.
Download Chen et al. supplementary material movie 3(File)
File 2.2 MB