Presenting an Innovative Model Based on Physical Criteria for Accurate Prediction of Flame Flashback Phenomenon in Methane-Air Premixed Burners Using Automatic Calibration and Experimental Validation

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Ali Lohrasbi Nichkoohi
Assistant professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Noshahr Branch., Islamic Azad University, Noshahr, Iran
10.22034/stme.2025.546176.1168
Abstract
Flame flashback is a significant challenge in the design and operation of premixed burners, which can lead to serious damage to equipment. This phenomenon occurs when the flame speed exceeds the flow velocity of the gas, causing the flame to propagate back toward the burner nozzle. In this study, an innovative hybrid model based on physical criteria is presented for accurate prediction of flame flashback in methane-air mixtures. By combining the wall number criterion (W = 1.15 ± 0.08) and the Richardson number (Ri = 0.25 ± 0.03) along with an automatic calibration algorithm, the proposed model significantly improves prediction accuracy. The results demonstrate that the model can predict the probability of flame flashback with 92.3% accuracy across a wide range of operating conditions. The RMSE for flame speed prediction was measured at 0.23 m/s, and for flashback probability prediction, it was 7.2%. With a 45% reduction in prediction error compared to conventional models, this model offers an effective solution to address the challenge of flame flashback in combustion industries
Keywords
Flame Flashback
Hybrid Model
Automatic Calibration
Physical Criteria
Premixed Burner
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 09 September 2025
  • Revise Date 17 November 2025
  • Accept Date 03 December 2025
  • First Publish Date 03 December 2025
  • Publish Date 23 July 2026