Effects of multi-hole baffle thickness on flow and mixing characteristics of micro combustor

Flow structure and mixing characteristics in a micro combustor with a multi-hole baffle were numerically studied using the Reynolds stress model. The multi-hole baffle has geometrical features to produce multiple three-dimensional vortices inside combustion chamber. When the thickness of the baffle's geometrical factors changes, variations of vortical structures occur variously. Among these vortices, the vortex generated from the fuel stream exerts a critical influence on the mixing enhancement. The three-dimensional vortical structure, in its development state, was strongly dependent on the baffle thickness. In particular, as the baffle thickness decreases to values less than the diameter of the fuel hole, the jet stream in baffle holes changes from the parabolic to saddleback profile type. The sizes of recirculation zones inside combustion chamber and the mixing state were closely affected by the structure of the jet streams.