Flame holders in engines create a small area of reduced activity to prevent high wind from blowing out the flame, allowing for steady fuel combustion. Design factors vary, with careful calculation of fuel/air mixture needed for optimum performance. Engine malfunction can occur if the flame goes out, so careful engineering and pilot training are necessary.
A flame holder inside a rocket, jet, or similar engine is used to maintain combustion. Create a small area of reduced activity to prevent high wind from blowing out the flame so the fuel can burn steadily to generate rapidly expanding air and thrust. Several factors go into flame holder design, especially with sophisticated and expensive engines. Hobbyists occasionally need to make flame holders for projects like home rockets, which have much more lenient engine tolerances than space shuttles and commercial aircraft.
Classically, the flame holder consists of a cylinder with some air holes to allow the air to swirl. Air currents moving through the motor rotate around the device, leaving a void in the middle where a flame can burn. As the fuel burns, it raises the temperature of the air around the flame holder. The rapid heating of the air expands to generate thrust, while the high heat ignites the incoming fuel to keep the engine running continuously.
There are some other shapes and designs that can be considered for future applications. One option is a V, with the point of the V facing the inward airflow direction, or an H design, which provides a slightly different type of airflow. Some aircraft use cavities, where air flows over the flame while staying at the base of the cavity. In all cases, a fuel nozzle is located near the air support to maintain a continuous supply of fresh fuel for combustion.
Careful calculation of the fuel/air mixture is needed to keep the flame burning and maintain engine operating conditions. Air support helps control the movement of air currents within a prime mover or afterburner, while fuels are carefully blended to provide optimum performance. Engines operating in this manner can use large volumes of fuel with each flight at a trade-off for power and speed. This can be critical for military aircraft or long-haul aircraft that rely on jet engines.
Problems with the flame holder design can lead to an engine malfunction that can interfere with aircraft performance. The most serious thing is that there is a risk that the flame in the combustion chamber will go out. If a flame occurs, the engine can no longer work until the flame is re-ignited. A number of measures are used to address this concern, including careful engineering of flame holders and other engine components, and pilot training on how to respond to such situations quickly.
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