MODELING FLOW AND HEAT-TRANSFER IN VORTEX BURNERS

A powerful approach is developed to predict and optimize flow pattern and to improve heat and mass transfer in vortex burners. New analytica l solutions of the Navier-Stokes, heat, and diffusion equations are ob tained, and the technique of matching asymptotic expansions is develop ed. This allows us to describe complex swirling flows with recirculati on zones and three-dimensional fields of temperature and concentration . This approach helps In deducing the appropriate flow pattern, shape and position of a flame front, heat transfer, and geometry of the vort ex burner. Optimal parameters are found for flame stabilization and fl ame-surface expansion, prolonging the residence time of the reactants favorable for complete combustion. This approach greatly facilitates f inding the optimum because it is much less laborious than computationa l fluid dynamics methods and allows a wider parametric search.