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At least 127 records · Page 7

Advanced Optical Diagnostic Methods for Describing Fuel Injection and Combustion Flowfield Phenomena

Over the past decade advanced optical diagnostic techniques have evolved and matured to a point where they are now widely applied in the interrogation of high pressure combusting flows. At NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), imaging techniques have been used successfully in on-going work to develop the next generation of commercial aircraft gas turbine combustors. This work has centered on providing a means by which researchers and designers can obtain direct visual observation and measurements of the fuel injection/mixing/combustion processes and combustor flowfield in two- and three-dimensional views at actual operational conditions. Obtaining a thorough understanding of the chemical and physical processes at the extreme operating conditions of the next generation of combustors is critical to reducing emissions and increasing fuel efficiency. To accomplish this and other tasks, the diagnostic team at GRC has designed and constructed optically accessible, high pressurer high temperature flame tubes and sectar rigs capable of optically probing the 20-60 atm flowfields of these aero-combustors. Among the techniques employed at GRC are planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) for imaging molecular species as well as liquid and gaseous fuel; planar light scattering (PLS) for imaging fuel sprays and droplets; and spontaneous Raman scattering for species and temperature measurement. Using these techniques, optical measurements never before possible have been made in the actual environments of liquid fueled gas turbines. 2-D mapping of such parameters as species (e.g. OH-, NO and kerosene-based jet fuel) distribution, injector spray angle, and fuel/air distribution are just some of the measurements that are now routinely made. Optical imaging has also provided prompt feedback to researchers regarding the effects of changes in the fuel injector configuration on both combustor performance and flowfield character. Several injector design modifications and improvements have resulted from this feedback. Alternate diagnostic methods are constantly being evaluated as to their suitability as a diagnostic tool in these environments. A new method currently under examination is background oriented Schlieren (BOS) for examining the fuel/air mixing processes. While ratioing the Stokes and anti-Stokes nitrogen lines obtained from spontaneous Raman is being refined for temperature measurement. While the primary focus of the GRC diagnostic work remains optical species measurement and flow stream characterization, an increased emphasis has been placed on our involvement in flame code validation efforts. A functional combustor code should shorten and streamline future combustor design. Quantitative measurements of flow parameters such as temperature, species concentration, drop size and velocity using such methods as Raman and phase Doppler anemometry will provide data necessary in this effort.

Locke, Randy J.↗

The Corrected Distortion model for Lagrangian spray simulation of transcritical fuel injection

In this work, we present a detailed implementation and validation of the droplet modeling framework proposed by Dahms and Oefelein (2016) into the engine commercial CFD software CONVERGE using the User Defined Function (UDF) interface. The model accounts for the nonlinear deformation and oscillation experienced by liquid spray droplet injected into high pressure and temperature. Lagrangian spray simulations of Engine Combustion Network (ECN) Spray A are performed. Model validation against standard experimental measurements of liquid velocity, vapor mixture fraction is conducted. To perform more rigorous model validation, new experimental measurements based on Diffused Back Illumination (DBI) are introduced. The new measurements are processed for Projected Liquid Volume (PLV), which offers as close as possible one-to-one model validation for liquid penetration while offering new insights into the spray physics. Comparison with a One-D model based on adiabatic mixing theory by Siebers (1999) and Desantes et al. (2007) are also conducted. Through these model validation exercises, it is shown that the new framework improves liquid-phase penetration predictions, following a tendency for enhanced evaporation, compared to the standard approach for both Reynolds Average Navier Stokes (RANS) and Large Eddy Simulation (LES). Additionally, at the liquid length, maximum mixture fraction values predicted by the new approach are in good agreement those of an adiabatic mixing model. Qualitative analysis of the spray behaviors during the early stage of the injection process reveals that the proposed framework predicts significant increase in droplet evaporation rate with lower drop drag compared to the current standard approach.

42 ENGINEERING↗

An analysis of the flow field near the fuel injection location in a gas core reactor.

An analytical study is presented which shows the effects of large energy release and the concurrent high acceleration of inner stream fluid on the coaxial flow field in a gas core reactor. The governing equations include the assumptions of only radial radiative transport of energy represented as an energy diffusion term in the Euler equations. The method of integral relations is used to obtain the numerical solution. Results show that the rapidly accelerating, heat generating inner stream actually shrinks in radius as it expands axially.

Weinstein, H.↗

A model of transverse fuel injection applied to the computation of supersonic combustor flow

A two-dimensional, nonreacting flow model of the aerodynamic interaction of a transverse hydrogen jet within a supersonic mainstream has been developed. The model assumes profile shapes of mass flux, pressure, flow angle, and hydrogen concentration and produces downstream profiles of the other flow parameters under the constraints of the integrated conservation equations. These profiles are used as starting conditions for an existing finite difference parabolic computer code for the turbulent supersonic combustion of hydrogen. Integrated mixing and flow profile results obtained from the computer code compare favorably with existing data for the supersonic combustion of hydrogen.

Rogers, R. C.↗

Navier-Stokes calculations for 3D gaseous fuel injection with data comparisons

Results from a computational study and experiments designed to further expand the knowledge of gaseous injection into supersonic cross-flows are presented. Experiments performed at Mach 6 included several cases of gaseous helium injection with low transverse angles and injection with low transverse angles coupled with a low yaw angle. Both experimental and computational data confirm that injector yaw has an adverse effect on the helium core decay rate. An array of injectors is found to give higher penetration into the freestream without loss of core injectant decay as compared to a single injector. Lateral diffusion plays a major role in lateral plume spreading, eddy viscosity, injectant plume, and injectant-freestream mixing. Grid refinement makes it possible to capture the gradients in the streamwise direction accurately and to vastly improve the data comparisons. Computational results for a refined grid are found to compare favorably with experimental data on injectant overall and core penetration provided laminar lateral diffusion was taken into account using the modified Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model.

Fuller, E. J.↗

Effect of orifice length-diameter ratio on the coefficient of discharge of fuel-injection nozzles

The variation of the coefficient of discharge with the length-diameter ratio of the orifice was determined for nozzles having single orifice 0.008 and 0.020 inch in diameter. Ratios from 0.5 to 10 were investigated at injection pressures from 500 to 5,000 pounds per square inch. The tests showed that, within the error of the observation, the coefficients were the same whether the nozzles were assembled at the end of a constant tube or in an automatic injection valve having a plain stem.

Gelalles, A G↗

Coefficients of discharge of fuel-injection nozzles for compression-ignition engines

This report presents the results of an investigation to determine the coefficients of discharge of nozzles with small, round orifices of the size used with high-speed compression-ignition engines. The injection pressures and chamber back pressures employed were comparable to those existing in compression-ignition engines during injection. The construction of the nozzles was varied to determine the effect of the nozzle design on the coefficient. Tests were also made with nozzles assembled in an automatic injection valve, both with a plain and with a helically grooved stem. It was found that a smooth passage before the orifice is requisite for high flow efficiency. A beveled leading edge before the orifice gave a higher coefficient of discharge than a rounded edge. The results with the nozzles assembled in an automatic injection valve having a plain stem duplicated those with the nozzles assembled at the end of a straight tube of constant diameter. Lower coefficients were obtained with the nozzles assembled in an injection valve having a helically grooved stem. When the coefficients of nozzles of any one geometrical shape were plotted against values of corresponding Reynold's numbers for the orifice diameters and rates of flow tested, it was found that experimental points were distributed along a single curve.

Gelalles, A G↗