Effect of a magnetostatic field on laminar premixed hydrogen-air flames

Abstract

Magnetic fields have shown potential to affect flame characteristics; however, the mechanisms of interaction are not fully understood. This paper investigates the effect of magnetic fields on premixed hydrogen-air flames that are prone to intrinsic instabilities, with a focus on the role of magnetic forces on the flame behaviour. The study is conducted using direct numerical simulations. Two flame conditions, both with an equivalence ratio of 0.5, are studied, one with the reactants at atmospheric conditions and the other at high pressure and high temperature. Different configurations of the magnetic field are investigated, each characterised by a different gradient of the square of the magnitude of the magnetic field, oriented in the direction opposite to the velocity of the incoming reactants. Results show that the investigated configurations of the magnetic field can reduce the flame consumption speed, an effect that is substantial in the lower pressure case, while it becomes negligible at high pressure. The effect of the magnetic forces increases with increasing gradient of the magnetic field and is mainly due to the reduction of the flame area. Results also show that the effects of magnetic fields on the reactivity of the flame and on the small cell structures developed along the flame front are negligible. Analysis of the force contributions demonstrates that the change in the flame area is caused by the rotational component of the magnetic forces, which alter the vorticity of the flow such that the finger-like structures formed by hydrodynamic instabilities tend to close. These forces are significant at low pressure, while they become negligible compared to the pressure gradient at high pressure. Ultimately, the results of this work indicate that magnetic forces have the potential to change the flame behaviour, a mechanism that could be used for active control of flames.