The flow-field of a propane-air diffusion flame combustor with interior and exterior conjugate heat transfers was numerically studied.Results obtained from four combustion models

combined with the re-normalization group(RNG) k-ε turbulence model

discrete ordinates radiation model and enhanced wall treatment are presented and discussed.The results are compared with a comprehensive database obtained from a series of experimental measurements.The flow patterns and the recirculation zone length in the combustion chamber are accurately predicted

and the mean axial velocities are in fairly good agreement with the experimental data

particularly at downstream sections for all four combustion models.The mean temperature profiles are captured fairly well by the eddy dissipation(EDS)

probability density function(PDF)

and laminar flamelet combustion models.However

the EDS-finite-rate combustion model fails to provide an acceptable temperature field.In general

the flamelet model illustrates little superiority over the PDF model

and to some extent the PDF model shows better performance than the EDS model.