Abstract
Velocity-field imaging has been applied to the study of how a single toroidal vortex, representative of an eddy in a turbulent flow, exerts aerodynamic strain on a premixed flame. The aerodynamic strain rate tangential to the flame, the rate of flame stretch, the vorticity field, the shear strain rate field, and the flow pattern near the forward stagnation point, were all measured as a function of space and time. The vortex strength sufficed for flame quenching; the maximum strain on the flame did not occur on the centerline, near the forward stagnation point, as frequently indicated by numerical simulations. (O.C.)