Abstract

VICENTE Y RODRIGUEZ, W.; SALINAS-VAZQUEZ, M.; BARRIOS-BONILLA, J.E.  and  BARRERA-AVENDANO, E.R.. Numerical Prediction for the Size and Shape of a Flare in a Cross-Wind. Ing. invest. y tecnol. [online]. 2009, vol.10, n.3, pp.207-216. ISSN 2594-0732.

A computational fluid-dynamics model is used to simulate the turbulent combustion in a flare exposed to a cross-wind. Our research is mostly focused on the cross flow velocity influence to flame aerodynamics. The flow simulation is performed as three dimensional along a Cartesian coordinates system. In order to simulate the combustion process, a fast-chemistry model with a 1-step global irreversible reaction to form CO₂ and H₂O is used. A radiation model is used to identify the mean flame trajectory. The simulated configuration consists in a propane discharge into an air stream, get ting oxygen supply from the cross-wind. The velocity of this cross-flow is increased from 0.8 m/s to 12 m/s. Comparative analysis of our predicted values with respect to available experimental results shows good agreement in terms of flame length as well as inclination angles.

Keywords : Flare; CFD; combustion; propane; radiation; flame; cross flow.