This research is situated in the domain of Computational Fluid Dynamics. This research area, devoted to computer-aided simulations of fluid (or gas) flows, becomes increasingly important in the design process of modern systems involving reacting flows. Design and optimization of, for instance, industrial combustion devices, is intensely guided by numerical simulations nowadays. The complexity of the processes occurring in such systems demands for accurate models and advanced numerical methods. Unfortunately, these tools can only predict quantitative results if the underlying algorithms are capable of dealing with time-accurate simulations of reacting flows.

Frequently used algorithms give rise to instabilities in the solution when adopted in variable density flows, where density can vary strongly. Other algorithms perform better with respect to stability, but predict solutions that are not always physically possible. Because of these shortcomings, in this thesis an algorithm is developed that collects the good properties of both classes: it is stable and predicts physically plausible results.

Ultimately, this research will contribute to better numerical simulations and consequently to the development of burners with higher efficiency and reduced emissions.