Nonlinear Stability and Bifurcation in the Transition from Laminar to Turbulent Flame Propagation

Abstract

–We review recent analytical results in the theory of transition from laminar to turbulent premixed Rame propagation. We exploit the fact that the overall activation energy is large to formally derive dynamical flame sheet models, which are then used to predict instability thresholds as functions of the various parameters in the problem, at which steps in the transition occur. Employing perturbation techniques, we then describe bifurcations from a steady, planar flame to both pulsating and cellular modes of propagation. These nonsteady, nonplanar propagation modes represent intermediate stages in the evolution from laminar to turbulent combustion.