Dynamics of flame/vortex interactions

Vortex interactions with flames play a key role in many practical combustio n applications, Such interactions drive a large class of combustion instabi lities, they control to a great extent the structure of turbulent flames an d the corresponding rates of reaction, they occur under transient operation s or when flames travel in ducts containing obstacles. Vortices of various types are often used to enhance mixing, organize the flame region, and impr ove the flame stabilization process, The analysis of flame/vortex interacti ons has value in the development of our understanding of basic mechanisms i n turbulent combustion and combustion instability, The problem has been ext ensively investigated in recent years. Progress accomplished in theoretical , numerical and experimental investigations on flame/vortex interactions is reviewed in this article. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserv ed.