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At least 379 records · Page 21

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NASA NTRS1982

Flow process in combustors

Fluid mechanical effects on combustion processes in steady flow combustors, especially gas turbine combustors were investigated. Flow features of most interest were vorticity, especially swirl, and turbulence. Theoretical analyses, numerical calculations, and experiments were performed. The theoretical and numerical work focused on noncombusting flows, while the experimental work consisted of both reacting and nonreacting flow studies. An experimental data set, e.g., velocity, temperature and composition, was developed for a swirl flow combustor for use by combustion modelers for development and validation work.

Gouldin, F. C.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Development and operating characteristics of an advanced two-stage combustor

Results are presented from an experimental program aimed at optimizing the features of an advanced two-stage combustor that currently is being developed as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Energy Efficient Engine program. The combustor is designed to meet stringent goals for performance, emissions, durability and operational characteristics. An overview of the design selection process in light of these goals is discussed. Combustor rig test results, which highlight the techniques used to reduce emissions, development of the pilot and main power zone fuel injection systems, and methods of achieving efficient fuel staging, are presented.

Greene, W.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Flame structure in a swirl stabilized combustor inferred by radiant emission measurements

Results of measurements of time-averaged chemiluminescent emissions from CH, OH, and CO2 and of Na tracer emissions along lateral lines-of-sight through a cylindrical premixed, swirl-stabilized combustor are reported. Assuming axial symmetry and small optical depth, raw data are inverted to obtain local emission levels from these species as a function of radius. The chemiluminescent emissions are interpreted as signatures of chemical reaction and used in determining the regions of reactions and heat release in the combustor. The data are compared with composition and velocity data obtained in the combustor for identical operating conditions. The results demonstrate that reaction occurs in a relatively narrow, turbulent flame-like combustion zone which begins upstream of the time-averaged location of the swirl-induced recirculation zone and propagates around and laterally away from the recirculation zone into the unburned gas.

Beyler, C. L.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Combustor development for automotive gas turbines

The development of a combustion system for the AGT 100 automotive gas turbine engine is described. A maximum turbine inlet temperature of 1288 C is reached during the regenerative cycle, and air up to 1024 C is supplied to the combustor inlet. A premix/prevaporization ceramic combustor employing variable geometry to control burning zone temperature was developed and tested. Tests on both metal and ceramic combustors showed that emissions were a function of burner inlet temperature (BIT). At 999 C BIT, NO(x) emissions were two orders of magnitude below program goals, and at the same temperature but at a different variable geometry position, the CO was 30 times below program goal. Tests to evaluate the durability of the ceramic materials showed no failures during steady-state operation; however, some cracks developed in the dome during extended transient operation.

Ross, P. T.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Multifuel evaluation of rich/quench/lean combustor

The fuel flexible combustor technology was developed for application to the Model 570-K industrial gas turbine engine. The technology, to achieve emission goals, emphasizes dry NOx reduction methods. Due to the high levels of fuel-bound nitrogen (FBN), control of NOx can be effected through a staged combustor with a rich initial combustion zone. A rich/quench/lean variable geometry combustor utilizes the technology presented to achieve low NOx from alternate fuels containing FBN. The results focus on emissions and durability for multifuel operation.

Notardonato, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Effect of broad properties fuel on injector performance in a reverse flow combustor

The effect of fuel type on the performance of various fuel injectors was investigated in a reverse flow combustor. Combustor performance and emissions are documented for simplex pressure atomizing, spill flow, and airblast fuel injectors using a broad properties fuel and compared with performance using Jet A fuel. Test conditions simulated a range of flight conditions including sea level take off, low and high altitude cruise, as well as a parametric evaluation of the effect of increased combustor loading. The baseline simplex injector produced higher emission levels with corresponding lower combustion efficiency with the broad properties fuel. There was little or not loss in performance by the two advanced concept injectors with the broad properties fuel. The airblast injector proved to be especially insensitive to fuel type.

Raddlebaugh, S. M.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Numerical study of a ramjet dump combustor flow field

Increased interest in ramjet propulsion systems with higher performance requirements and tighter constraints on system size and weight has lead to the need for improved techniques for analyzing and designing such systems. A computer program has been developed to analyze the turbulent reacting flow field in a ramjet dump combustor configuration. The program solves the axisymmetric Navier-Stokes and species equations throughout the engine diffuser and combustor providing a unified analysis of the complete engine flow field, including flow separation, fuel-air mixing, and preliminary results with chemical reaction. Details of the program development are given, along with a comparison of program results with data from a dump combustor simulation experiment, to allow assessment of the flow field modeling that is employed.

Drummond, J. P.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Dilution jet experiments in compact combustor configurations

This project concerns the effects of cooling jets on the velocity and temperature fields in a compact reverse flow combustor. The work is motivated by the need to limit the temperatures of post combustion gases in jet engines to values within the endurance capabilities of turbine blades. The application requires not only that the temperature be kept sufficiently low but also that a suitably tailored temperature profile be provided at the combustor exit, with higher temperatures generally permissible at the blade tip than at the blade root because of higher centrifugal loads at the root. Flows in reverse flow combustor accelerate both longitudinally because of area changes and transversely because of flow turning. The current project started with flow visualization experiments in water, using aqueous solutions of zinc bromide to model the relatively higher density of cooling jets.

Greber, I.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Experimental investigation of the low NO/sub x vortex airblast annular combustor

A low oxides of nitrogen vortex airblast annular combustor was evaluated which has attained the goal of 1 gm NO2/kg fuel or less during operation. The experimental combustor test conditions were a nominal inlet-air temperature of 703 K, inlet total pressures between 0.52 to 0.83 MPa, and a constant inlet Mach number of 0.26. Exit temperature pattern factors for all test points were between 0.16 and 0.20 and exit swirl flow angles were 47 degrees at isothermal conditions and 23 degrees during combustion. Oxides of nitrogen did not exceed 1.05 gm NO2/kg fuel at the highest inlet pressure and exhaust temperature tested. Previous correlations have related NOx proportionally to the combustor inlet pressure raised to some exponent. In this experiment, a band of exponents between 0.5 and 1.0 resulted for fuel-air ratios from 0.023 to 0.027 and inlet pressures from 0.52 to 0.83 MPa.

Johnson, S. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Diesel engine catalytic combustor system

A low compression turbocharged diesel engine is provided in which the turbocharger can be operated independently of the engine to power auxiliary equipment. Fuel and air are burned in a catalytic combustor to drive the turbine wheel of turbine section which is initially caused to rotate by starter motor. By opening a flapper value, compressed air from the blower section is directed to catalytic combustor when it is heated and expanded, serving to drive the turbine wheel and also to heat the catalytic element. To start, engine valve is closed, combustion is terminated in catalytic combustor, and the valve is then opened to utilize air from the blower for the air driven motor. When the engine starts, the constituents in its exhaust gas react in the catalytic element and the heat generated provides additional energy for the turbine section.

Ream, L. W.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Experimental investigation of the low NOx vortex airblast annular combustor

Johnson, S. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Advanced liner-cooling techniques for gas turbine combustors

Component research for advanced small gas turbine engines is currently underway at the NASA Lewis Research Center. As part of this program, a basic reverse-flow combustor geometry was being maintained while different advanced liner wall cooling techniques were investigated. Performance and liner cooling effectiveness of the experimental combustor configuration featuring counter-flow film-cooled panels is presented and compared with two previously reported combustors featuring: splash film-cooled liner walls; and transpiration cooled liner walls (Lamilloy).

Norgren, C. T.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Dilution jet configurations in a reverse flow combustor

Results of measurements of both temperature and velocity fields within a reverse flow combustor are presented. Flow within the combustor is acted upon by perpendicularly injected cooling jets introduced at three different locations along the inner and outer walls of the combustor. Each experiment is typified by a group of parameters: density ratio, momentum ratio, spacing ratio, and confinement parameter. Measurements of both temperature and velocity are presented in terms of normalized profiles at azimuthal positions through the turn section of the combustion chamber. Jet trajectories defined by minimum temperature and maximum velocity give a qualitative indication of the location of the jet within the cross flow. Results of a model from a previous temperature study are presented in some of the plots of data from this work.

Zizelman, J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Flame flashback in a premixed dump combustor

A stainless steel, rectangular center-dump, premixed-prevaporized combustor was used at the NASA Lewis Research Center to study flashback in controlled conditions simulating gas turbine combustor operations under steady-state and transient conditions. The combustor allowed visual access to the combustion area, and was operated at inlet air temperatures from 600 to 850 K, premixer wall temperatures from 450 to 900 K, and average premixer velocity from 40 to 80 ft/s. A parametric study revealed a slight decrease in the flashback equivalence ratio as the inlet air temperatures increased. It also indicated that the premixer wall temperature and premixer velocity are not governing parameters of flashback. It is suggested that flashback occurs through the premixer wall boundary layer flow reversal caused by combustion instability.

Proctor, M. P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Advanced liner-cooling techniques for gas turbine combustors

Norgren, C. T.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Combustion efficiency of a premixed continuous flow combustor

Exhaust gas temperature, velocity, and composition measurements at various radial locations at the combustor exit are presented for a swirling-flow continuous combustor of a confined concentric jet configuration operating on premixed propane or methane and air. The main objective of the study is to determine the effect of fuel substitution and of changes in outer flow swirl conditions on the combustor performance. It is found that there is no difference in observed properties for propane and methane firing; the use of either of the fuels results in nearly the same exit temperature and velocity profiles and the same efficiency for a given operating condition. A mechanism for combustion is proposed which explains qualitatively the changes in efficiency and pollutant emissions observed with changing swirl.

Anand, M. S.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Optical and probe determination of soot concentrations in a model gas turbine combustor

An experimental program was conducted to track the variation in soot loading in a generic gas turbine combustor. The burner is a 12.7-cm dia cylindrical device consisting of six sheet-metal louvers. Determination of soot loading along the burner length is achieved by measurement at the exit of the combustor and then at upstream stations by sequential removal of liner louvers to shorten burner length. Alteration of the flow field approaching and within the shortened burners is minimized by bypassing flow in order to maintain a constant linear pressure drop. The burner exhaust flow is sampled at the burner centerline to determine soot mass concentration and smoke number. Characteristic particle size and number density, transmissivity of the exhaust flow, and local radiation from luminous soot particles in the exhaust are determined by optical techniques. Four test fuels are burned at three fuel-air ratios to determine fuel chemical property and flow temperature influences. Particulate concentration data indicate a strong oxidation mechanism in the combustor secondary zone, though the oxidation is significantly affected by flow temperature. Soot production is directly related to fuel smoke point.

Eckerle, W. A.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Concentration distributions in a model combustor

A hot-wire concentration probe with a spatial resolution of 0.13 mm is used to measure concentration in a model cylindrical combustor. The flow inside the combustor is simulated by injecting a helium jet into a cylindrical confinement with or without swirling air flow present. Mean concentrations are essentially zero outside of the jet region, indicating complete confinement of the scalar field by the swirling flow. Consequently, concentration fluctuations are found to be relatively weak compared to velocity fluctuations, and are maximum off-axis at a point which corresponds to the interface between helium and air flows. However, in the absence of a swirling air flow, the helium diffuses quickly to fill the combustor. The resulting helium concentrations are constant and do not resemble the jet-like behavior of the velocity field.

Ahmed, S. A.↗