Analysis of premixed flames propagation in a rotating close vessel by numerical simulation

Numerical simulations of the unsteady flame propagation inside a rotating vessel have been conducted, obtaining the description of the flame behaviour from ignition to the unusual quenching of homogeneous and flammable methane-air mixtures, as experimentally observed. A detailed analysis of these results is presented which shows several interesting features of this configuration. Particularly interesting are the detection of the flow structure at the edge of the flame near the side walls and the action of a sliding component of the strain rate tensor. It have been also recognized that, just before the extinction, the flame becomes more intense and after this phase, it is unable to well separate the unburnt and heavy fresh mixture from the hot and light burnt gases previously well separated under the action of the centrifugal forces.