Optically accessible high-pressure combustion apparatus

The design and operation of a novel optically accessible high-pressure combustion apparatus is presented. The apparatus provides optical access for the direct observation of the morphology and development of premixed reaction fronts at elevated pressures. A chamber-in-chamber design with an innovative connecting system allows for safe, constant-pressure measurements, alleviating the extreme overpressures encountered in high-pressure combustion processes within closed bombs. Auxiliary design features include gap-adjustable electrodes for spark ignition and ports for jet stirring. As a result, the apparatus is well suited for the study of laminar premixed flames, flame instabilities, turbulent flames, and detonations. Results from the study of centrally ignited hydrogen and methane fuels in oxygen-inert mixtures up to 60 atm initial pressure demonstrate the suitability of the apparatus for high-pressure combustion experiments. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.