Propagation speed and stability of spherically expanding hydrogen/air flames: Experimental study and asymptotics

Here, outwardly propagating spherical hydrogen/air flames are examined theoretically and experimentally with respect to flame propagation speed and the onset of instabilities which develop due to thermal expansion and non-equal diffusivities. Instabilities increase the surface area of the spherical flame, and hence the flame propagation speed. The theory applied here accounts for both hydrodynamic and diffusive-thermal effects, incorporating...