68th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics (November 22, 2015 — November 24, 2015)

V0070: Balloon Explosion Dynamics

Authors

• John Royero, Propulsion and Energy Research Lab - University of Central Florida
• Jaysen Mulligan, Propulsion and Energy Research Lab - University of Central Florida
• Kareem Ahmed, Propulsion and Energy Research Lab - University of Central Florida

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/APS.DFD.2015.GFM.V0070

The behavior of flame kernels in fuel-air mixtures impact the quality of any combustion process. In our experiement the flame kernel is ignited with a constant power deposit of 180 watts. In order to vary the pressure surrounding the flame kernel it was placed inside of an ordinary birthday balloon. The characteristics of the flame kernel of a stoichiometric methane-air mixture were observed at different pressures in order to vary its propagation rate. Similarly, a stochiometric hydrogen-air mixture was observed at different pressures in order to visualize the pressure effects on the flame kernel. These observations produced mesmorizing images that have been captured by our high speed cameras at 36000 FPS.  

In latter observations the two premixed combustions were compared. It was observed that due to its higher diffusivity a hydrogen-air mixture has a much more turbulent flame kernel than that of a methane-air mixture.

The dynamics of a balloon explosion produce intriguing videos that allow us to appreciate the birth of these combustion process.