Isothermal flow in a gas turbine combustor — a benchmark experimental study

An experimental investigation of the three-dimensional flow field within a water model of a can-type gas turbine combustion chamber is presented. Flow visualisation demonstrated that internal flow patterns simulated closely those expected in real combustors. The combustor comprised a swirl driven primary zone, annulus fed primary and dilution jets and an exit contraction nozzle. LDA measurements of the three mean velocity components and corresponding turbulence intensities were obtained to map out the flow development throughout the combustor. Besides providing information to aid understanding of the complex flow events inside combustors, the data are believed to be of sufficient quantity and quality to act as a benchmark test case for the assessment of the predictive accuracy of computational models for gas-turbine combustors.     

Experimental and Computational Investigations of Flow and Mixing in a Single-Annular Combustor Configuration

A complementary experimental and computational study of the flow and mixing in a single annular gas turbine combustor has been carried out. The object of the investigation is a generic mixing chamber model, representing an unfolded segment of a simplified Rich-Quick-Lean (RQL) combustion chamber operating under isothermal, non-reacting conditions at ambient pressure. Two configurations without and with secondary air injection were considered. To provide an appropriate reference database several planar optical measurement techniques (time-resolved flow visualisation, PIV, QLS) were used. The PIV measurements have been performed providing profiles of all velocity and Reynolds-stress components at selected locations within the combustor. Application of a two-layer hybrid LES/RANS (HLR) method coupling a near-wall k − ε RANS model with conventional LES in the core flow was the focus of the computational work. In addition to the direct comparison with the experimental results, the HLR performance is comparatively assessed with the results obtained by using conventional LES using the same (coarser) grid as HLR and two eddy-viscosity-based RANS models. The HLR model reproduced all important flow features, in particular with regard to the penetrating behaviour of the secondary air jets, their interaction with the swirled main flow, swirl-induced free recirculation zone evolution and associated precessing-vortex core phenomenon in good agreement with experimental findings.     

逆向环形分布射流迴流特性的数值计算

数值计算表明,逆向多环形分布射流可造成颗粒能直接进入,并能进行强烈的动量、能量交換的理想的迴流区结构。多环形结构可在大范围內造成所需尺寸的迴流区。逆向射流和主流速度比、环直径、射流直径和孔数、环的结构形式及离燃烧室进口的距离是影响迴流特性的主要参数。     

大速差射流燃烧室中烟煤与贫煤燃烧的数值模拟

本文基于颗粒相的轨道模型,对大速差射流燃烧室中烟煤粉与贫煤粉的二维流动,混合及燃烧进行了数值模拟,模拟结果从两相耦合的角度,阐明了煤粉颗粒在燃烧室中运动的规律,煤粉与大速差射流诱导的中心气体逆流之间的混合及其对煤粉火焰稳定的影响,指出此种燃烧室中煤粉火焰稳定的回流区燃烧机理,气相流场及回流区的预报结果与实验符合良好。     

Analysis of Unsteady Motion with Respect to Noise Sources in a Gas Turbine Combustor: Isothermal Flow Case

In order to evaluate the direct and indirect contributions to the total combustion noise emission, a combustion chamber consisting of a swirl burner and an exit nozzle of Laval-shape, representing a gas turbine combustor, is investigated by means of experiments and large eddy simulation. Focused on the isothermal flow case first and encouraged by a good overall agreement between the LES and the experimental data for the flow field, a first characterisation of the flow with respect to noise sources is performed. To analyse acoustic properties of the flow, time and length scales are evaluated inside the combustor. Furthermore, the evidence for the existence of a precessing vortex core (PVC), typical for configurations with swirl, is revealed. Finally, the effect of the PVC on the flow inside the Laval nozzle is discussed.     

LES of a Multi-burner Annular Gas Turbine Combustor

In this study, Large Eddy Simulation (LES) has been used to predict the flow, mixing and combustion in both a single burner laboratory gas turbine combustor and in an 18 burner annular combustor, having identical cross sections. The LES results for the single burner laboratory combustor are compared with experimental data for a laboratory model of this combustor, and with other LES predictions, with good agreement. An explicit finite volume based LES model, using the mixed subgrid model together with a partially stirred reactor model for the turbulence chemistry interactions, is used. For the annular combustor, with the swirlers parameterized by jet inflow boundary conditions, we have investigated the influence of the a-priori unknown combustor exit impedance, the influence of the swirler characteristics and the fuel type. The combustion chemistry of methane–air and n-decane–air combustion is modeled by a two-step reaction mechanism, whereas NOx is separately modeled with a one-step mechanism. No experimental data exists for the annular combustor, but these results are compared with the single burner LES and experimental results available. The combustor exit impedance, the swirler- and fuel characteristics all seem to influence the combusting flow through the acoustics of the annular combustor. To examine this in greater detail time-series and eigenmodes of the combustor flow fields are analyzed and comparisons are made also with results from conventional thermoacoustic eigenmode analysis, with reasonable agreement. The flow and pressure distributions in the annular combustor are described in some detail and the mechanisms by which the burners interact are outlined.     

LES of Chemical and Acoustic Forcing of a Premixed Dump Combustor

This paper describes the first steps in the development of a large eddy simulation (LES) code able to compute combustion instabilities in gas turbines. This code was used to compute the forcing of an experimentally investigated premixed dump combustor. It is shown that the main effect of acoustic waves entering the combustion chamber is to create large vortices and unsteady heat release when these vortices burn. Another effect of waves entering the combustor is to modulate the fuel and air flow rates produced by the feeding lines. In this case the equivalence ratio of the mixture entering the combustor may also vary. This was investigated in a “chemical effect” simulation where the inlet equivalence ratio fluctuates but the total flow rate remains constant. For perturbations from stoichiometric burning, this mechanism was shown to induce less destabilizing effects than the purely aerodynamical mechanism due to vortex formation and combustion. It is shown that the LES methodology developed is able to reproduce the experimentally observed phase shift between acoustic excitation and total reaction rate in the chamber. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Using Stability Theory to Analyse Configurations of Pulsed Jets for Flow Control

During the last decade, efforts for simulating active flow control behavior by the use of pulsating jets have multiplied. In the present work, a URANS is used mostly for simulation, where the resulting flow characteristics can be reproduced with fair but adequate accuracy for engineering applications. This computational tool provides information concerning the effect on the flow, of the flow control. An additional computational tool is introduced, that of flow stability analysis, which allows to optimize the frequency and the position of the actuators (here pulsating jets). This tool will be developed through flow stability arguments. Both tools will be used within the context of the present paper and for reasons explained below, for suppressing only flow separation in internal flow cases. Once the computational tools are described/developed, they will be applied to a specific case. The optimization procedure will be demonstrated and discussed.     

Assessment of Finite Rate Chemistry Large Eddy Simulation Combustion Models

Large Eddy Simulations (LES) of a swirl-stabilized natural gas-air flame in a laboratory gas turbine combustor is performed using six different LES combustion models to provide a head-to-head comparative study. More specifically, six finite rate chemistry models, including the thickened flame model, the partially stirred reactor model, the approximate deconvolution model and the stochastic fields model have been studied. The LES predictions are compared against experimental data including velocity, temperature and major species concentrations measured using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), OH Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence (OH-PLIF), OH chemiluminescence imaging and one-dimensional laser Raman scattering. Based on previous results a skeletal methane-air reaction mechanism based on the well-known Smooke and Giovangigli mechanism was used in this work. Two computational grids of about 7 and 56 million cells, respectively, are used to quantify the influence of grid resolution. The overall flow and flame structures appear similar for all LES combustion models studied and agree well with experimental still and video images. Takeno flame index and chemical explosives mode analysis suggest that the flame is premixed and resides within the thin reaction zone. The LES results show good agreement with the experimental data for the axial velocity, temperature and major species, but differences due to the choice of LES combustion model are observed and discussed. Furthermore, the intrinsic flame structure and the flame dynamics are similarly predicted by all LES combustion models examined. Within this range of models, there is no strong case for deciding which model performs the best.     

A computational study of supersonic combustion behind a wedge-shaped flameholder

In this study, large eddy simulation (LES) has been used to examine supersonic flow, mixing, self-ignition and combustion in a model scramjet combustor and has been compared against the experimental data. The LES model is based on an unstructured finite-volume discretization, using monotonicity-preserving flux reconstruction of the filtered mass, momentum, species and energy equations. Both a two-step and a seven-step hydrogen–air mechanism are used to describe the chemical reactions. Additional comparisons are made with results from a previously presented flamelet model. The subgrid flow terms are modeled using a mixed model, whereas the subgrid turbulence–chemistry interaction terms are modeled using the partially stirred reactor model. Simulations are carried out on a scramjet model experimentally studied at Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt consisting of a one-sided divergent channel with a wedge-shaped flame holder at the base of which hydrogen is injected. The LES predictions are compared with experimental data for velocity, temperature, wall pressure at different cross sections as well as schlieren images, showing good agreement for both first- and second-order statistics. In addition, the LES results are used to illustrate and explain the intrinsic flow, and mixing and combustion features of this combustor.     

大涡模拟及其在湍流燃烧中的应用

大涡模拟作为一种研究湍流流动和湍流燃烧的有效手段,在国际上已经得到广泛应用。本文在回顾了大涡模拟(LES)的基本思想及其实施方法的基础上着重介绍了前人在大涡模拟的亚格子湍流模式和亚格子燃烧模式中的研究成果,同时给出了采用不同亚格子模式的大涡模拟在湍流燃烧中的应用实例,指出了大涡模拟在湍流燃烧中的重要作用,为大涡模拟的进一步发展和应用提供参考。      

Large-Eddy Simulation of Lean Premixed Turbulent Flames of Three Different Combustion Configurations using a Novel Reaction Closure

This large eddy simulation (LES) study is applied to three different premixed turbulent flames under lean conditions at atmospheric pressure. The hierarchy of complexity of these flames in ascending order are a simple Bunsen-like burner, a sudden-expansion dump combustor, and a typical swirl-stabilized gas turbine burner–combustor. The purpose of this paper is to examine numerically whether the chosen combination of the Smagorinsky turbulence model for sgs fluxes and a novel turbulent premixed reaction closure is applicable over all the three combustion configurations with varied degree of flow and turbulence. A quality assessment method for the LES calculations is applied. The cold flow data obtained with the Smagorinsky closure on the dump combustor are in close proximity with the experiments. It moderately predicts the vortex breakdown and bubble shape, which control the flame position on the double-cone burner. Here, the jet break-up at the root of the burner is premature and differs with the experiments by as much as half the burner exit diameter, attributing the discrepancy to poor grid resolution. With the first two combustion configurations, the applied subgrid reaction model is in good correspondence with the experiments. For the third case, a complex swirl-stabilized burner–combustor configuration, although the flow field inside the burner is only modestly numerically explored, the level of flame stabilization at the junction of the burner–combustor has been rather well captured. Furthermore, the critical flame drift from the combustor into the burner was possible to capture in the LES context (which was not possible with the RANS plus k–ɛ model), however, requiring tuning of a prefactor in the reaction closure.     

入口速度比对射流拟序结构的影响

为了深入了解湍流流动机理以及湍流拟序结构发现过程的影响因素，本文采用大涡模拟方法对不同入口射流伴流速度比的平面湍射流流动进行了数值模拟。采用分步投影法求解动量方程，亚格子项采用标准Smagorinsky亚格子模式模拟，压力泊松方程采用修正的循环消去法快速求解，空间方程采用二阶精度的差分格式，在时间方向上采用二阶精度的显式差分格式。模拟结果给出了平面射流中湍流拟序结构的瞬态发展演变过程，分析了入口速度比对射流拟序结构发展演化过程及宏观流场形态的影响。为进一步研究射流拟序结构及其在湍流流动中的作用提供了基础。     

Subgrid Model Influence in Large Eddy Simulations of Non-reacting Flow in a Gas Turbine Combustor

Fuel efficiency improvement and harmful emission reduction are the paramount driving forces for development of gas turbine combustors. Lean-burn combustors can accomplish these goals, but require specific flow topologies to overcome their sensitivity to combustion instabilities. Large Eddy Simulations (LES) can accurately capture these complex and intrinsically unsteady flow fields, but estimating the appropriate numerical resolution and subgrid model(s) still remain challenges. This paper discusses the prediction of non-reacting flow fields in the DLR gas turbine model combustor using LES. Several important features of modern gas turbine combustors are present in this model combustor: multiple air swirlers and recirculation zones for flame stabilisation. Good overall agreement is obtained between LES outcomes and experimental results, both in terms of time-averaged and temporal RMS values. Findings of this study include a strong dependence of the opening angle of the swirling jet inside the combustion chamber on the subgrid viscosity, which acts mainly through the air mass flow split between the two swirlers in the DLR model combustor. This paper illustrates the ability of LES to obtain accurate flow field predictions in complex gas turbine combustors making use of open-source software and computational resources available to industry.     

圆湍射流拟序结构研究进展

圆湍射流拟序结构的实验研究,经历了流场显示定性观测、热线、激光单点测量、数字图像等方法全流场定量测量以及当前三维演变机制的探讨。与此同时,静态激励和主动技术的拟序结构控制研究也获得了大量的成果。应用涡方法、直接数值模拟和大涡模拟等对圆湍射流拟序结构进行的数值模拟,在印证试验现象的同时,还进一步深入研究了拟序结构的输运特性、激发机制等相关内容。本文对上述进展进行了综述,以期为进一步开展湍射流的研究和应用提供依据。      

基于动态分区概念的高超声速燃烧大涡模拟

本文基于动态分区概念开展了亿级网格的高马赫数全尺寸超燃冲压发动机内外流耦合一体化改进延迟分离涡(IDDES)模拟研究. 研究建立了包括动态分区火焰面湍流燃烧模型(DZFM)、分区自适应化学(Z-DAC)和分区并行自适应建表(Z-ISAT)的完整动态分区燃烧模拟框架, 并通过1.15亿网格的马赫数12 REST标准高超声速燃烧室模型初步验证了分区模拟框架的保真性. DZFM通过分区解耦的思想既准确表征了当地湍流化学交互作用关系, 又有效提升了整场湍流燃烧的计算效率. Z-DAC和Z-ISAT通过在分区框架内对化学反应机理进行动态实时简化和建表查询, 可进一步提升当前分区内化学反应的求解效率. 基于1.25和1.4亿网格动态分区框架对比分析了马赫数10条件下中心支板(strut)和壁面撑挡型(pylon)两类构型氢气高超声速燃烧室特性. 支板或撑挡结构均诱发了明显的边界层分离和头部回流区, 由此两种燃烧室均出现了较长区域的喷注点前部燃烧现象. 基于Borghi图的数值分析表明当前氢气高超声速燃烧室中广泛存在扩散控制为主的火焰面模式, 效率提升的瓶颈在于高效增混. 壁面撑挡燃烧室具有较高的穿透深度和近场混合效率, 因而燃烧效率高于净推力准则80%, 相应的比冲1234 s也远高于中心支板燃烧室的437 s. 分区自适应化学方法在将近一半的计算域上降低了反应求解计算代价, 特别是在无燃料区反应机理的简化幅度更加明显. 相比与传统的有限速率PaSR模型, DZFM模型实现了高达11倍的加速比.      

旋流燃烧室内湍流燃烧速度场的实验研究

建立了采用分级进风方式的同轴射流旋流燃烧室实验装置，选用耐高温的氧化铝细粉作为示踪粒子，实现了用三维激光粒子动态分析仪(PDA)测量湍流旋流燃烧的热态瞬时速度场．在分级进风比率和旋流致不同的3组实验工况条件下，得到了气体时均轴向与切向速度、轴向与切向脉动速度均方根值和轴向—切向脉动速度二阶关联量的分布．     

Study of Flow and Mixing in a Generic GT Combustor Using LES

While the basic capability of large eddy simulation (LES) has been amply demonstrated on a number of relatively simple academic configurations, there is still a lack of works applying LES to practical systems also performing detailed quantitative comparisons based on experimental data. In this paper, we tend to approach the simulation of real gas turbine combustor step by step as we first present results of the isothermal LES of a generic gas turbine combustor rig. The available detailed measurements are used to thoroughly validate the LES results. Beyond a pure validation, the LES is used to analyze the influence of the precessing vortex core present in the studied configuration on the mixing of fuel and oxidizer, and possible implications for reacting conditions are discussed.     

Experimental investigation of axisymmetric coaxial synthetic jets

Measurements were made in the near field of piston driven axisymmetric coaxial synthetic jets emanating from an orifice and a surrounding annulus of equal exit areas and cavity volumes. Piston velocity, amplitude, radial spacing between the orifice and the annulus, and exit angles had a strong influence on the dominant features of the flow. Flow visualization revealed three distinct topologies of the jet consisting of expanding, contracting and recirculating regions and doubling of the number of foci inside of the cavity compared to jet from the orifice alone. The direction of the swirl/rotation imposed on the mean flow was also dependent on the direction of the rotation of dominant foci. Interaction between flow from the orifice and the annulus amplified the azimuthal instability of ring vortices due to the periodic axial stretching and compression of the streamwise vortex filaments. Bifurcation of ring vortices into elliptical lobes reported earlier [S.V. Gaimella, V.P. Schroeder, Local heat transfer distributions in confined multiple air impingement, ASME Journal of Electronic Packaging 123 (3) (2001) 165–172] for single cavity jet was also observed in the coaxial jet. The number of cellular structures however was considerably larger than the single jet case. Large excursions of the jets from the plane of symmetry were observed. Power spectra exhibited sub-harmonic distribution of energy due to coalescence of the vortices. Growth of jet width and decay of centerline velocity were strongly influenced by the spacing and forcing frequency.