Investigation of lifted jet flames stabilization mechanism using RANS simulations

The mean structure, stability and the lift-off heights of lifted methane-air flames in a turbulent round jet are computed using the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) approach coupled with the Eddy-Dissipation Model (EDM) for combustion. The computations are based on a 5-step methane-air reduced mechanism. The simulation results show that the EDM model reproduces a mean partially-premixed flame structure at the leading edge of the lifted flame. The fine-tuning of the main EDM parameter for experimental lifted flames with co-flow also results in very good predictions of the lift-off height for lifted flames without co-flow. Implications of the use of the EDM concept for partially premixed flames are discussed.