Numerical study of the effect of heat losses on self-propagating reactionsin multilayer foils

Current models of self-propagating reactions in multilayer foils have been successful in predicting the velocity and structure of reaction fronts, as well as their variation with individual layer thickness and premixing in th e as-deposited state. Depending upon the parameter regime, the propagation of the reaction front has been shown to occur either in a steady manner or in an oscillatory manner. So far, however, existing models have ignored the effect of heat lasses on the reaction. In this study, the effect of radiat ive and conductive heat losses on the propagation of reaction fronts in mul tilayers is investigated numerically. Heat losses are shown to decrease the flame speed and the magnitude of the oscillations, and to increase the per iod of the oscillations. In the parameter range considered, radiative heat losses have a much smaller effect on reaction propagation than conductive h eat losses. (C) 2001 by The Combustion Institute.