M. M. Alekseev, M. V. Alekseev, V. P. Samsonov*, and O. Yu. Semenov
Surgut State University, ul. Lenina 1, Surgut, 628412 Russia
*e-mail: svp@iff.surgu.ru
Received March 6, 2013
Abstract—The propagation of a propane–air flame in a model internal combustion chamber, a tube with one
or two pistons, is studied experimentally. Situations are simulated in which the flame front moves in a semi-
open flat or cylindrical tube between two pistons or between a piston and the closed end of the tube. The time
dependence of the flame front position and acceleration is obtained for the case of the variable tube length and
combustible mixture volume. Self-oscillation conditions for the flame front and piston are determined. A rela-
tion between their amplitude–frequency characteristics is found. It is established that the piston paradox motion
effect, i.e., the motion of the piston toward the flame front, depends on the length of the tube. It is demonstrated
that the piston effect is related to the formation of a “tulip” flame. An explanation to the observed hydrodynamic
phenomena is given.
DOI: 10.1134/S1063784214010046
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