Evaluation of Tesla Valves as Flow Control and Flame Arrestor Devices for Premixed Hydrogen-Blended Methane Flames

Abstract

Numerical simulations of Tesla valve structures were conducted to identify geometric and operational conditions that maximize diodicity at Reynolds numbers up to 1 000. A 30-run central composite design systematically varied valve geometry, channel depth, and air flowrate to determine an optimal one-way flow configuration. Numerical predictions were validated using physical Tesla valve channels machined into cast acrylic plates. With airflow and combustion data validated, flame quenching performance was evaluated for methane-hydrogen mixtures using GRI-Mech 3.0 and FFCM-2 models. Flame flashback scenarios were simulated within the geometry, where the channel depth was decreased until flame propagation ceased. Compared to straight channels, Tesla valve geometries increased the maximum experimental safe gap (MESG) from 3 mm to 6.35 mm for methane and from 0.4 mm to 0.57 mm for hydrogen. Therefore, incorporating the Tesla valve shape enhances flame quenching performance, particularly for methane-dominant fuels.