Examination of mode shapes in an unstable model combustor

The coupling between the fluid dynamics, heat addition, and the acoustics of a combustor system determine whether it is prone toward combustion instability. This paper presents results from a benchmark study of the eigenmodes in an unstable experimental combustor. The axisymmetric combustor configuration is representative of a number of practical systems and comprises an injector tube, geometric expansion into a combustion chamber, and a short converging nozzle. Instability limit cycle amplitudes ranged from 5% to nearly 50% of the mean 2.2 MPa pressure. Multiple harmonics were measured for the highly unstable cases. The model combustor was designed to provide a fairly comprehensive set of tested effects: sonic vs subsonic inlets; oxidizer tube lengths that were either quarter-wave, half-wave, or off-resonant acoustic equivalents to the combustion chamber; a significant injector mean flow with Ma∼0.4; and a varied combustion chamber length. The measured mode shape data were analyzed and reduced to provide comparison with results from a linearized one-dimensional Euler model, which included the effects of real boundary conditions, entropy generation, area change, and heat and mass addition, but did not include a model for unsteady heat addition. For low-amplitude instabilities, the measured resonance frequencies agreed with those calculated by the model for the injector tube-combustion chamber system. Resonance frequencies for the high-amplitude oscillation cases corresponded to the first longitudinal frequency of the combustion chamber and its integer multiples. Good quantitative agreement was obtained between computed and measured phase difference profiles, and mode envelopes agreed qualitatively. These results provide a basis for subsequent combustion response studies on the effects of unsteady heat addition.     

Combustion oscillations in gas fired appliances: Eigen-frequencies and stability regimes

This paper presents a one-dimensional acoustic model for prediction of the frequencies of self-excited oscillation and acoustic mode shapes in combustion systems. The impedance of the combustion system is represented in terms of a frequency response function (FRF). Impedances of the settling and combustion chambers are predicted by using the acoustic model, taking into account the temperature distribution in the combustion chamber. Reasonably good agreement between measured and predicted acoustic resonance frequencies and mode shapes was achieved. Some data on stability regimes are discussed.     

Effect of swirl on combustion dynamics in a lean-premixed swirl-stabilized combustor

The effect of inlet swirl on the flow development and combustion dynamics in a lean-premixed swirl-stabilized combustor has been numerically investigated using a large-eddy-simulation (LES) technique along with a level-set flamelet library approach. Results indicate that when the inlet swirl number exceeds a critical value, a vortex-breakdown-induced central toroidal recirculation zone is established in the downstream region. As the swirl number increases further, the recirculation zone moves upstream and merges with the wake recirculation zone behind the centerbody. Excessive swirl may cause the central recirculating flow to penetrate into the inlet annulus and lead to the occurrence of flame flashback. A higher swirl number tends to increase the turbulence intensity, and consequently the flame speed. As a result, the flame surface area is reduced. The net heat release, however, remains almost unchanged because of the enhanced flame speed. Transverse acoustic oscillations often prevail under the effects of strong swirling flows, whereas longitudinal modes dominate the wave motions in cases with weak swirl. The ensuing effect on the flow/flame interactions in the chamber is substantial.     

Stabilization mechanisms of longitudinal pulsations in rotating detonation combustors

This work investigates the stabilization mechanisms of two types of longitudinal pulsations in rotating detonation combustors. The first type is linked to operating modes with two counter-rotating waves in combustors with open outlets and appears as a minor peak in the pressure spectrum. The second type is observed as pulsed operation of the combustor when the outlet is restricted. Different combustor lengths are studied and the susceptibility to these longitudinal pulsations is investigated. Pressure measurements along the length of the combustor and around the perimeter are used to identify the operating mode and to describe the propagation and stabilization mechanisms of the two longitudinal modes. The results show that both modes are linked to the longitudinal acoustic resonance of the combustor. The length-to-perimeter ratio and the mass flux are identified as the driving parameters for the existence of these longitudinal modes. The first mode is shown to be an acoustic resonance supported by the intersections of counter-rotating waves. The second mode is controlled by the reflection of an explosion induced shock wave propagating through a high velocity bulk flow.     

Dual/scram-mode combustion limits of ethylene and surrogate endothermically-cracked hydrocarbon fuels at Mach 8 equivalent high-enthalpy conditions

This paper examines the scram/dual-mode combustion limits of hydrocabon fuels within a Mach 8, scramjet combustor. Flight-equivalent flows were delivered to the axisymmetric, cavity combustor via a reflected shock tunnel. Two scramjet fuels were examined: ethylene and a surrogate mixture representing endothermically cracked n-dodecane. Combustion modes were examined via static pressure sensors and through both chemiluminescence imaging, and planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) of the OH combustion radical in the combustor exhaust plume. Ethylene-fuelled experiments developed scram-mode combustion under reduced fuelling conditions, experiencing shock wave dominated flowfields. OH PLIF diagnostics indicated such combustion modes developed a ring-like structure of combustion products, primarily axisymmetrically adjacent to the combustor wall. Increased fuelling anchored combustion downstream of the fuel injector, while further increases instigated dual-mode combustion. In this mode, subsonic combustion regions combine with the supersonic coreflow to permit the transfer of information upstream with substantially increased pressure encountered. Optical diagnostics indicate broadly asymmetric, unsteady combustion features. The surrogate mixture representing endothermically cracked n-dodecane experienced rapid onset from no-combustion (optically confirmed) to fully developed dual-mode combustion at critical fuelling rates. OH PLIF signals and chemiluminescence of this fuel were weaker than comparable ethylene cases, indicating potential differences in combustion pathways.     

Investigation of combustion modes and pressure of reflective shuttling detonation combustor

Detonation combustors are considered promising alternatives to conventional combustors because they offer high thermal efficiency and fast combustion. However, especially for the rotating detonation combustor, the theoretical propulsive performance has not been confirmed in experimental studies because the highly unsteady flow field hinders the measurements process. To understand the involved phenomena in more detail, a reflective shuttling detonation combustor (RSDC) with a rectangular combustion chamber was developed. The interior of the chamber can easily be visualized owing to its two-dimensional quality. Utilizing the RSDC, several combustion tests with gaseous ethylene and oxygen were conducted for different values of mass flow rates and equivalence ratios. Combustion modes from the tests were classified into four types based on the fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis of the luminous intensity of the CH* self-luminescence images captured by a high-speed camera and a band pass filter. Simultaneously, the theoretical total pressure of a conventional isobaric combustor was compared to the static pressure measured at the bottom of the RSDC chamber. For the detonation modes, the ratio between experimentally measured static pressure and the theoretical pressure varied depending on the location in the chamber owing to the distribution of the time-averaged static pressure. Furthermore, the pressure ratio of the detonation modes was up to 18% lower than that of the deflagration mode potentially owing to the flow velocity induced by the detonation waves.     

Feasibility of “intermittent” active control of combustion instabilities in liquid fueled combustors using a “smart” fuel injector

This paper describes an experimental investigation of the feasibility of an “intermittent” active control approach for suppressing combustion instabilities in liquid fueled combustors. The developed controller employs a “smart” fuel injector that can modify the spray properties in response to changes in combustor operating conditions. This action weakens or breaks up the coupling between the combustion process and combustor acoustic modes oscillations, thus preventing the excitation of large amplitude instabilities. This approach differs significantly from previously proposed active control methods, both in concept and implementation, as it requires only “intermittent” modification of the combustion process by a single control action as opposed to the continuous action required by most other active control methods. The “smart” fuel injector used in this study consisted of a double-staged, air-assisted atomizer in which counter swirling, primary (inner stage) and secondary (outer stage) air streams were supplied to the injector through separate sets of tangentially oriented orifices. Control of the ratio of air mass flow rates supplied to these two stages, by use of a diverter valve, resulted in significant changes in the spray shape and its axial, tangential, and radial velocity components. This variation in spray properties of the “smart” injector was characterized for different values of the inner to outer air flow rate ratio in cold flow tests with a PDPA system. These results were then correlated with the characteristics of the “intermittently” controlled combustor. Measured quantities included the instability amplitudes, axial dependence of the mean and oscillatory heat release amplitudes, and the characteristics of the recirculation zones, which were all shown to depend on the fuel spray properties. The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of using “smart” fuel injectors with capabilities for varying the combustion process characteristics to reduce the amplitudes of detrimental combustion instabilities in real engines to acceptable levels.     

An experimental study of the natural noise in the Transit-M hypersonic wind tunnel

Tests were performed at Mach number M = 6. Observations of flow pulsations were performed with the help of high-frequency measurements of pressure and heat fluxes and with the help of hot-wire anemometry. Measurements were carried out in a broad range of Re₁ numbers at various orientations and locations of sensors with respect to the nozzle exit plane. It is shown that the Transit-M noise varies weakly over the longitudinal coordinate, whereas on moving along the radial coordinate, some increase of the fluctuation level is observed due to approaching the mixing layer. Also, the distribution of axial asymmetry of the noise level was obtained.     

The attenuation of lined plenum chambers in ducts: I. Theoretical models

Two types of theory are described, with the purpose of predicting the acoustic transmission loss of lined plenum chambers (which are sometimes used as attenuators in air conditioning duct systems). The first kind of theory embodies a low frequency wave acoustic approach, and two separate models are evolved: one is for a single plenum chamber, and the second is for a plenum chamber incorporating one or more acoustically lined baffles. The other type of theory is valid at high frequencies, and is based upon geometrical (or “ray”) acoustics. This is applied to a single chamber and to chambers containing either one or two lined baffles. Both the high frequency and low frequency results are reasonably simple. A limited amount of experimental data is also presented, as justification for the validity of part of the theory.     

Effect of temperature fluctuations on high frequency acoustic coupling

This article considers the influence of fluctuations in temperature on acoustic resonance characteristics of a combustion chamber. This analysis is concerned with acoustic coupling experienced in high frequency instabilities. Experiments carried out on a multiple injector combustor (MIC) operating with liquid oxygen and gaseous methane are used to simulate on a model scale the situation prevailing in a liquid rocket thrust chamber. External acoustic modulations are generated by periodically blocking an auxiliary nozzle with a rotating toothed wheel. By continuously changing the rotation velocity, it is possible to apply a linear frequency sweep and obtain the response of the system to an external excitation. It is found that the chamber quality factor under hot fire conditions is reduced with respect to the one measured under cold flow conditions. This is shown to be correlated with the level and spatial extension of temperature fluctuations inside the chamber. Temperature fluctuations induce variations in the speed of sound which in turn perturb the eigenfrequencies of the system and modify its response. This effect is modeled in a simplified way by considering a second order dynamical system featuring an eigenfrequency which fluctuates around its mean value. The dynamics is analyzed by making use of simulations and by the method of averaging. It is shown that when the eigenfrequency fluctuates, the system behaves as if it had an augmented level of dissipation and that this induces a reduction in the quality factor. It is concluded that this mechanism could have an important impact on the development of oscillations in liquid rocket engines.     

旋转爆震燃烧室与涡轮导向器组合实验研究

旋转爆震涡轮发动机正获得广泛的关注,但旋转爆震燃烧室出口存在着高频的压力波动,压力波动会降低涡轮的工作效率并减小涡轮的工作寿命.基于旋转爆震波的传播特点,开展了旋转爆震燃烧室与涡轮导向器组合结构的实验研究.燃料为H₂,由位于燃烧室前端的120个小孔喷入燃烧室;氧化剂为空气,由径向环缝喷入燃烧室.在燃烧室内起爆旋转爆震波后,爆震产物直接流入导向器内.研究结果表明,随当量比的增加,燃烧室内爆震波的传播速度呈先增大后减小的趋势.在导向器出口仍存在与燃烧室内旋转爆震波同主频的振荡压力,但相对于导向器前的振荡压力,出口压力振幅减小了约64%.旋转爆震波传播速度的相对偏差先减小后增大,并且爆震波传播越稳定,其速度损失越小.      

The inverse problem of the theory of nonstationary powder combustion

The inverse problem for nonstationary powder combustion in a half-closed volume is considered. A transient was initiated by the abrupt change of the nozzle section. Experiments measured the time dependence of the pressure in a combustion chamber at various ratios of the initial and final nozzle sections. Comparison of the experimental data and the results from solving the direct problem allows one to solve the inverse problem, in other words, to obtain defined information of the characteristics of a combustion chamber, i.e., the characteristic time of chamber evacuation and the powder, i.e., the effective thermal diffusivity.     

基于LES-PDF方法的双旋流模型燃烧室数值模拟

文章使用基于LES-PDF方法的AECSC两相程序,对模型燃烧室GTMC进行了数值模拟,以此验证AECSC程序对燃烧室模拟的可行性和可信度,并对旋流燃烧室的流动和燃烧特性进行分析.首先,分别用商用软件Fluent 18.1和AECSC程序的LES方法对GTMC的冷态工况进行了模拟.与实验结果相比,程序计算的轴向、径向、切向速度峰值的相对误差在大多数统计点上在20%以内,3个方向速度峰值位置的相对误差基本都在10%以内.同时发现,AECSC程序的计算结果在一定程度上比Fluent的计算结果更接近实验值.文章进一步使用AECSC程序对GTMC的热态工况进行了模拟.在计算结果中,整体的时间平均温度在数值和分布上和实验结果很接近,并很好地再现了实验的"V形"火焰和内外低温回流区,但是高温区出现的位置相比实验结果有些靠前.总体来说,热态结果和实验结果比较吻合,尤其在液雾的模拟方面,计算结果和实验结果相比有着很好的一致性.这说明将LES和PDF相结合的方法在模拟湍流燃烧方面有较强的优势,可以成为未来的研究和发展方向.      

燃气轮机燃烧室燃烧天然气和燃烧中低热值煤气的比较

本文使用商业软件FLUENT,对某燃气轮机燃烧室燃烧大然气和燃烧中低热值煤气进行了比较。原本燃烧天然气的燃烧室直接改为燃烧中低热值煤气,会产生燃料射流速度太快的问题,使阻燃孔失效,火焰太长,高温燃气直接冲击下简壁出口。仅仅增大燃料喷嘴口径可以在一定程度上改善燃烧室内流动结构,使掺混孔起一定的作用,气膜冷却射流也将高温区抬离了下简壁。     

高氧气浓度甲烷不稳定燃烧实验研究

采用无回火的急速混合管状燃烧技术,以二氧化碳和氧气的混合气体为氧化剂,基于CH~*自发光高速摄影图像及同步声压曲线,分析氧气浓度β=0.67的甲烷富氧燃烧特性。研究发现当量比0.6~1.0之间的火焰结构呈周期性变化,其频率与燃烧室内声压振荡频率一致,均为高频振荡。分析结果表明,燃烧器内的富氧燃烧振荡模式属于轴向声学共振。混合气体当量比由0.6增至1.0,热释率提高,热释率脉动与声压耦合增强,低频声压幅值减小,高频声压幅值增大,低频振动能量向高频振动能量转变,频谱特性由具有两个特征频率的周期性振荡转变为只有一个高频的周期振荡燃烧。     

Dynamics of spray and swirling flame under acoustic oscillations : A joint experimental and LES investigation

The dynamics of spray swirling flames is investigated by combining experiments on a single sector generic combustor and large eddy simulations of the same configuration. Measurements and calculations correspond to a self-sustained limit cycle operation where combustion coupled by an axial quarter wave acoustic mode induces large amplitude oscillations of pressure in the system. A detailed analysis of the mechanisms controlling the process is carried out first by comparing the measured and calculated spray and flame dynamics. Considering in a second stage that the spray and flame are compact with respect to the acoustic wavelength the analysis can be simplified by defining state variables that are obtained by taking averages over the combustor cross section and representing the behavior of these average quantities as a function of the axial coordinate and time. This reveals a first region in which essentially convective processes prevail. The convective heat release rate then couples further downstream with the pressure field giving rise to positive Rayleigh source terms which feed energy in the axial acoustic mode. In the convective region, the swirl number features oscillations around its mean value with an impact on the flow aerodynamics and flame radial displacement. Fluctuations in the fuel flow rate are initiated at the injector exhaust and likewise convected downstream. The total mass flow rate that exhibits strong convective disturbances is dominated further downstream by the acoustic motion. This information provides new insights on the convective-acoustic coupling that controls the heat release rate disturbances and reveals the time delays governing the combustion oscillation process.     

浅海中运动声源径向速度与距离的无源估计

针对浅海波导中声源距离的无源估计问题,提出了一种环境参数和声场模型无关的、不依赖于引导声源的运动声源径向速度以及距离估计方法。该方法首先通过双水听器低频声场强度距离波数谱变换(R-K)的相位差获得干涉简正波水平波数,对水平波数轴定标来估计运动声源的径向速度。进一步地,对接收信号自相关函数进行WARPING变换得到运动声源距离的无源估计。对于反射类简正波为主的声场,在某一假定距离下根据某两时刻接收信号WARPING变换后干涉简正波谱峰频率与假定距离的关系估计距离;对于反射类或折射类简正波为主的声场,根据两个时刻接收信号的β-WARPING变换后干涉简正波的脉冲时延估计距离的值。数值仿真分析了等声速、负梯度以及温跃层3种水文环境下的噪声以及环境宽容性,结果表明径向速度与距离的估计不依赖于环境参数。利用2005年北黄海实验数据验证了方法的可行性,径向速度与距离的估计值与实际值符合良好。      

Three-dimensional analysis of blade force and sound generation for an annular cascade in distorted flows

An unsteady lifting-surface theory for a rotating subsonic annular cascade has been developed to predict the unsteady blade forces and the acoustic power generation caused by interaction of blades with inlet distortions or wakes. Disturbance pressure and velocity fields induced by the rotor blades with fluctuating blade force are expressed in terms of the blade force distribution and kernel functions. The spanwise distribution of the blade force is given as a sum of blade force modes, and the kernel functions are resolved into the corresponding modal components. The sound pressure and intensity are expressed as a sum of acoustic modes, the modal components of which are given in terms of the blade force mode components.Numerical computations have been conducted .for interaction with the external disturbance flows that are sinusoidal in the circumferential direction, but possess a phase skewing in the radial direction. Correlations among the acoustic modes, the blade force modes and the flow patterns of the external disturbance have been investigated. When the predominant acoustic mode is subresonant, the blade force amplitude is reduced by the three-dimensional effect, which is lessened as the frequency increases. At deeply superresonant states, however, the three-dimensional effect upon the spanwise average of the blade force amplitude is small. The generated sound power is effectively reduced by increasing the radial non-uniformity of the external disturbance.     

非紧凑低马赫数运动边界散射流动噪声的预测

提出了一种求解非紧凑低马赫数运动边界散射流动诱发噪声的预测方法。该方法首先基于运动坐标系下的连续性方程和动量方程推导得到该坐标系下的波动方程及其积分解,然后在该坐标系下采用边界元方法求解得到非紧凑运动边界表面的声压,最后将求解得到的壁面声压回代到静止或运动坐标系下的积分方程中实现对远场噪声的预测。推导得到的积分方程适用于流体与飞机机身、高速列车车身及旋转叶片等非紧凑结构边界作用诱发噪声的预测。     

微穿孔板抑制不稳定燃烧的声学数值仿真

为了研究微穿孔板吸声结构对不稳定燃烧的抑制作用,采用高精度的计算气动声学(Computational Aeroacoustics,CAA)方法开展时域下的数值仿真。首先对带有压力时滞模型的三维声学扰动方程进行求解,给出发动机不稳定燃烧的频率信息。然后通过解析模型分析微穿孔板吸声结构的阻抗特性,并由多自由度宽频阻抗模型模拟微穿孔板对该不稳定频率的抑制作用。仿真捕捉到的不稳定燃烧频率与地面试车测得的频率相一致。表明采用的计算气动声学方法及相应模型可以准确地捕捉不稳定燃烧的频率信息,并分析微穿孔板对不稳定燃烧的抑制作用,对于工程上快速预测不稳定燃烧具有一定意义。