Direct numerical simulations are performed to investigate the transient upstream propagation (flashback) of premixed hydrogen–air flames in the boundary layer of a fully developed turbulent channel flow. Results show that the well-known near-wall velocity fluctuations pattern found in turbulent boundary layers triggers wrinkling of the initially flat flame sheet as it starts propagating against the main flow direction, and that the structure of the characteristic streaks of the turbulent boundary layer ultimately has an important impact on the resulting flame shape and on its propagation mechanism. It is observed that the leading edges of the upstream-propagating premixed flame are always located in the near-wall region of the channel and assume the shape of several smooth, curved bulges propagating upstream side by side in the spanwise direction and convex towards the reactant side of the flame. These leading-edge flame bulges are separated by thin regions of spiky flame cusps pointing towards the product side at the trailing edges of the flame. Analysis of the instantaneous velocity fields clearly reveals the existence, on the reactant side of the flame sheet, of backflow pockets that extend well above the wall-quenching distance. There is a strong correspondence between each of the backflow pockets and a leading edge convex flame bulge. Likewise, high-speed streaks of fast flowing fluid are found to be always colocated with the spiky flame cusps pointing towards the product side of the flame. It is suggested that the origin of the formation of the backflow pockets, along with the subsequent mutual feedback mechanism, is due to the interaction of the approaching streaky turbulent flow pattern with the Darrieus–Landau hydrodynamic instability and pressure fluctuations triggered by the flame sheet. Moreover, the presence of the backflow pockets, coupled with the associated hydrodynamic instability and pressure–flow field interaction, greatly facilitate flame propagation in turbulent boundary layers and ultimately results in high flashback velocities that increase proportionately with pressure.

We explain the physical mechanism of ultrafast flame acceleration in obstructed channels used in modern experiments on detonation triggering. It is demonstrated that delayed burning between the obstacles creates a powerful jetflow, driving the acceleration. This mechanism is much stronger than the classical Shelkin scenario of flame acceleration due to nonslip at the channel walls. The mechanism under study is independent of the Reynolds number, with turbulence playing only a supplementary role. The flame front accelerates exponentially; the analytical formula for the growth rate is obtained. The theory is validated by extensive direct numerical simulations and comparison to previous experiments.

A calibration-free scanned wavelength modulation spectroscopy scheme requiring minimal laser characterization is presented. Species concentration and temperature are retrieved simultaneously from a single fit to a group of 2f/1f-WMS lineshapes acquired in one laser scan. The fitting algorithm includes a novel method to obtain the phase shift between laser intensity and wavelength modulation, and allows for a wavelength-dependent modulation amplitude. The scheme is demonstrated by detection of H₂O concentration and temperature in atmospheric, premixed CH₄/air flat flames using a sensor operating near 1.4 µm. The detection sensitivity for H₂O at 2000 K was 4 × 10⁻⁵ cm⁻¹ Hz^-1/2, and temperature was determined with a precision of 10 K and absolute accuracy of ~50 K. A parametric study of the dependence of H₂O and temperature on distance to the burner and total fuel mass flow rate shows good agreement with 1D simulations.

Flame acceleration associated with development of the Landau–Darrieus hydrodynamic instability is studied by means of direct numerical simulation of the Navier–Stokes equations including chemical kinetics in the form of the Arrhenius law. The fractal excess for radially expanding flames in cylindrical geometry is evaluated. Two-dimensional (2-D) simulation of radially expanding flames in cylindrical geometry displays a radial growth with 1.25 power law temporal behavior after some transient time. It is shown that the fractal excess for 2-D geometry obtained in the numerical simulation is in good agreement with theoretical predictions. The difference in fractal dimension between 2-D cylidrical and three-dimensional spherical radially expanding flames is outlined. Extrapolation of the obtained results for the case of spherical expanding flames gives a radial growth power law that is consistent with temporal behavior obtained in the survey of experimental data.