A numerical model for use in the design of laminar flame burners

A numerical model capable of predicting the multi-dimensional laminar flame s which occur on burners used in domestic appliances is described. The mode l is embodied in a computational fluid dynamics code, modified to include m ulti-step combustion chemistry. This is used to solve the appropriate fluid dynamic equations. The model involves a second-order accurate finite-volum e method to allow accurate prediction of the detailed structure of flame fr onts, with the computational cost of capturing such fine structures being r educed by employing an adaptive finite-volume grid algorithm coupled to a v ariety of reduced chemical kinetic schemes and transport property algorithm s. Results derived from the complete model are used to demonstrate its abil ity to predict those parameters that are of importance in the design of lam inar flame burners, and are shown to be similar to experimental results obt ained on a realistic burner.