An Hydrodynamic-Instabililty Based Approach towards the Oscillation and Coupling of Candle Flames

Abstract

Oscillation can be observed in candle flames under certain circumstances. This research theoretically proposed an hydrodynamic-instability-based approach towards the oscillation and coupling of candle flames, claiming that the visible flame is part of a jet flow undergoing three stages: laminar, wave, and turbulence. In the ordinary stable combustion the visible flame is in the laminar stage, while under these oscillating circumstances it is in the surface wave stage. In-phase coupling was explained as two jet flows merging into one, and anti-phase coupling occur when mergence becomes unavailable. The Schlieren image experiments, frequency measuring experiments and some "disturbance" experiments were conducted to support this view. Mathematical models were also proposed for description.