Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

A three dimensional model was developed to describe the scalar structure which exists in a countercurrent turbulent diffusion flame. The model was solved numerically by combining CHEMKIN thermochemical and transport databases within the CFX4.3 software. The distance between the axis of the upper oxidiser duct and the lower fuel duct, termed eccentricity, was used to describe the severity of the torch misalignment. Due to the misalignment, the original horizontal flat flame becomes inclined and distorted. The flame structure along the centre line of the torch is not sensitive to eccentricity. However, the cross sectional contours of velocity, density and species mass fractions illustrate significant effect on eccentricity. Finally, the paper makes suggestions for experimental verification of the alignment of the counterflow burner in experiments and examines the validity of constant 1/r(?p/?r) assumption in a misaligned burner.