Digital imaging based three-dimensional characterization of combustion flames

This paper presents the three-dimensional (3D) visualisation and characterisation of the flame front of a turbulent flame on a gas turbine using a multi-camera imaging system. 2D images of the flame root are captured simultaneously by identical monochromatic CCD cameras from three different directions around the flame. Using various image processing techniques such as edge detection, contour extraction, and mesh generation, dedicated computing algorithms have been developed to reconstruct the 3D structures of the flame front. A set of flame parameters, including ignition points, surface area, ignition volume, and circularity, are determined from the models generated to characterize the flame front. The results obtained under a range of combustion conditions demonstrate that the system is capable of characterizing flame front structures of the flame spatially and quantitatively.