Critical conditions for spherical flame initiation in mixtures with high Lewis numbers

A theoretical and numerical study was conducted to clarify the physical mec hanism controlling the flame initiation in mixtures with high Lewis numbers . The analysis was based on the effects of curvature and heat addition on f lame structure. It was found that the conditions for the existence of a sel f-sustained expanding spherical dame determine the critical power and energ y of the ignition source for successful initiation. A new criterion was est ablished to predict both the critical power and energy.