Measurement of Smoke Particle Size and Distribution Within a Gas Turbine Combustor

2005 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. D. Brundish ◽  
M. N. Miller ◽  
C. W. Wilson ◽  
M. Jefferies ◽  
M. Hilton ◽  
...  

The objective of the work described in this paper was to identify a method of making measurements of the smoke particle size distribution within the sector of a gas turbine combustor, using a scanning mobility particle sizing (SMPS) analyzer. As well as gaining a better understanding of the combustion process, the principal reasons for gathering these data was so that they could be used as validation for computational fluid dynamic and chemical kinetic models. Smoke mass and gaseous emission measurements were also made simultaneously. A “water cooled,” gas sampling probe was utilized to perform the measurements at realistic operating conditions within a generic gas turbine combustor sector. Such measurements had not been previously performed and consequently initial work was undertaken to gain confidence in the experimental configuration. During this investigation, a limited amount of data were acquired from three axial planes within the combustor. The total number of test points measured were 45. Plots of the data are presented in two-dimensional contour format at specific axial locations in addition to axial plots to show trends from the primary zone to the exit of the combustor. Contour plots of smoke particle size show that regions of high smoke number concentration once formed in zones close to the fuel injector persist in a similar spatial location further downstream. Axial trends indicate that the average smoke particle size and number concentration diminishes as a function of distance from the fuel injector. From a technical perspective, the analytical techniques used proved to be robust. As expected, making measurements close to the fuel injector proved to be difficult. This was because the quantity of smoke in the region was greater than 1000mg/m3. It was found necessary to dilute the sample prior to the determination of the particle number concentration using SMPS. The issues associated with SMPS dilution are discussed.

Author(s):  
K. D. Brundish ◽  
M. N. Miller ◽  
C. W. Wilson ◽  
M. Hilton ◽  
M. P. Johnson ◽  
...  

The objective of the work described in this paper was to identify a method of making measurements of the smoke particle size distribution within the sector of a gas turbine combustor, using a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizing (SMPS) analyser. As well as gaining a better understanding of the combustion process, the principal reasons for gathering these data was so that they could be used as validation for Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) and chemical kinetic models. Smoke mass and gaseous emission measurements were also made simultaneously. A “water cooled,” gas sampling probe was utilised to perform the measurements at realistic operating conditions within a generic gas turbine combustor sector. Such measurements had not been previously performed and consequently initial work was undertaken to gain confidence in the experimental configuration. During this investigation, a limited amount of data were acquired from three axial planes within the combustor. The total number of test points measured were 45. Plots of the data are presented in 2 dimensional contour format at specific axial locations in addition to axial plots to show trends from the primary zone to the exit of the combustor. Contour plots of smoke particle size show that regions of high smoke number concentration once formed in zones close to the fuel injector persist in a similar spatial location further downstream. Axial trends indicate that the average smoke particle size and number concentration diminishes as a function of distance from the fuel injector. From a technical perspective, the analytical techniques used proved to be robust. As expected, making measurements close to the fuel injector proved to be difficult. This was because the quantity of smoke in the region was greater than 1000 mg/m3. It was found necessary to dilute the sample prior to the determination of the particle number concentration using SMPS. The issues associated with SMPS dilution are discussed.


Author(s):  
M. N. Miller ◽  
C. W. Wilson ◽  
M. Hilton ◽  
G. Marston

This paper describes experimental work undertaken in the quantitative measurement of specific hydrocarbons found at different axial locations within a gas turbine combustor. The motivation for this work was to gain a greater understanding of the combustion process and obtain data which could be used to provide validation for computational fluid dynamic and chemical kinetic models. Chemical species routinely measured using the QinetiQ internal traversing facility are: H2, O2, NO, NO2, THC, CO2, CO and smoke. For this work, a Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer (FTIR) was added to the suite of gas analysers to measure the concentration of individual hydrocarbons in real time. Gaseous samples were also acquired in pressurised stainless steel cylinders and analysed for individual hydrocarbons using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS), thus providing validation for the FTIR methodology. A “water cooled” gas-sampling probe was utilised to perform the measurements at realistic operating conditions within a generic gas turbine combustor sector. Heated sample lines were used to convey the sample from the probe to a heated, variable-pathlength sample cell incorporated into the optical path of the FTIR analyser. FTIR spectra were acquired in the mid-infrared region between 400 to 4000 cm−1. H2O and CO2 have absorption bands that overlap with some of the hydrocarbons of interest in this spectral region: it was therefore necessary for spectral subtraction to be undertaken. The predominant hydrocarbons found at all axial locations within the combustor were CH4, C2H2, and C2H4. Benzene was found in the primary zone but not at other axial locations. Simultaneous measurements made using a total hydrocarbon analyser compared favourably with total hydrocarbon values obtained using GCMS and FTIR. This suggests that the majority of the unburned hydrocarbons were accounted for.


Author(s):  
K. O. Smith ◽  
A. Fahme

Three subscale, cylindrical combustors were rig tested on natural gas at typical industrial gas turbine operating conditions. The intent of the testing was to determine the effect of combustor liner cooling on NOx and CO emissions. In order of decreasing liner cooling, a metal louvre-cooled combustor, a metal effusion-cooled combustor, and a backside-cooled ceramic (CFCC) combustor were evaluated. The three combustors were tested using the same lean-premixed fuel injector. Testing showed that reduced liner cooling produced lower CO emissions as reaction quenching near the liner wall was reduced. A reduction in CO emissions allows a reoptimization of the combustor air flow distribution to yield lower NOx emissions.


Author(s):  
Hyung Ju Lee ◽  
Kyu Tae Kim ◽  
Jong Guen Lee ◽  
Bryan D. Quay ◽  
Domenic A. Santavicca

An experimental study was conducted to characterize the combined effects of flame-vortex interactions and equivalence ratio fluctuations on self-excited combustion instabilities in a swirl-stabilized lean premixed gas turbine combustor. The combustor was designed so that the fuel injector location and the combustion chamber length could be independently varied. In addition, the fuel and air could be mixed upstream of the choked inlet to the combustor, thereby eliminating the possibility of equivalence ratio fluctuations. Experiments were performed over a broad range of operating conditions and at each condition both the combustor length and the fuel injection location were varied. Dynamic pressure in the combustor, acoustic pressure and velocity in the mixing section, and the overall rate of heat release were simultaneously measured at all operating conditions. Two distinct instability regimes were observed; one near 220 Hz and the other near 345 Hz. It was also found that the strength of the instability changed significantly as the fuel injection location was varied, while the phase of the acoustic pressure and velocity fluctuations in the mixing section did not change. A time series of pressure and CH* chemiluminescence signals confirmed constructive or destructive coupling of the two instability mechanisms; the flame-vortex interaction and the equivalence ratio fluctuation interact each other and determine the instability characteristics in partially premixed conditions.


Author(s):  
K. O. Smith ◽  
L. H. Cowell

Rig testing of a lean-premixed, liquid-fueled corabustor was conducted to establish the feasibility of achieving ultra-low NOx emissions at typical gas turbine operating conditions. Two different filming fuel injector concepts were evaluated. The majority of combustor testing was conducted using No. 2 diesel. The test results showed 12 and 20 ppm NOx at 6 and 9 atm, respectively. Corresponding CO levels were 50 ppm in both cases.


Author(s):  
Masato Hiramatsu ◽  
Yoshifumi Nakashima ◽  
Sadamasa Adachi ◽  
Yudai Yamasaki ◽  
Shigehiko Kaneko

One approach to achieving 99% combustion efficiency (C.E.) and 10 ppmV or lower NOx (at 15%O2) in a micro gas turbine (MGT) combustor fueled by biomass gas at a variety of operating conditions is with the use of flameless combustion (FLC). This paper compares experimentally obtained results and CHEMKIN analysis conducted for the developed combustor. As a result, increase the number of stage of FLC combustion enlarges the MGT operation range with low-NOx emissions and high-C.E. The composition of fuel has a small effect on the characteristics of ignition in FLC. In addition, NOx in the engine exhaust is reduced by higher levels of CO2 in the fuel.


Author(s):  
S. James ◽  
M. S. Anand ◽  
B. Sekar

The paper presents an assessment of large eddy simulation (LES) and conventional Reynolds averaged methods (RANS) for predicting aero-engine gas turbine combustor performance. The performance characteristic that is examined in detail is the radial burner outlet temperature (BOT) or fuel-air ratio profile. Several different combustor configurations, with variations in airflows, geometries, hole patterns and operating conditions are analyzed with both LES and RANS methods. It is seen that LES consistently produces a better match to radial profile as compared to RANS. To assess the predictive capability of LES as a design tool, pretest predictions of radial profile for a combustor configuration are also presented. Overall, the work presented indicates that LES is a more accurate tool and can be used with confidence to guide combustor design. This work is the first systematic assessment of LES versus RANS on industry-relevant aero-engine gas turbine combustors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 177 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-155
Author(s):  
Ksenia SIADKOWSKA ◽  
Mirosław WENDEKER ◽  
Łukasz GRABOWSKI

The paper presents the research results of the injector construction with the modified injection nozzle. The injector is designed for a prototype opposed-piston aircraft diesel engine. The measurements were based on the Mie scattering technique. The conditions of the experiment corresponded to maximum loads similar to those occurring at the start. The measuring point was selected in line with the analysis of engine operating conditions: combustion chamber pressure at the moment of fuel delivery (6 MPa) and fuel pressure in the injection rail (140 MPa). The analysis focused on the average spray range and distribution, taking into account the differences between holes in the nozzle. As a result of the conducted research, the fuel spray range was defined with the determined parameters of injection. The fuel spray ranges inside the constant volume chamber at specific injection pressures and in the chamber were examined, and the obtained results were used to verify and optimize the combustion process in the designed opposed-piston two-stroke engine.


Author(s):  
Y. Levy ◽  
V. Sherbaum ◽  
V. Erenburg

The present work is concerned with the thermodynamic and chemical kinetics of gas turbine combustor operating in the Moderate or Intense Low-oxygen Dilution (MILD) combustion regime. The objective of the present study is to evaluate analytically the effect of the recirculation rate of combustion products within the FLOXCOM gas turbine combustor on a number of combustion parameters, mainly on the ignition delay time, NOx and CO emission, minimum ignition temperature, rate of pollutant formation and the dilution rate. The study also refers to the mechanism of influence of the recirculation rate on these values. Combustion pressure and inlet air temperature are used as parameters. The gas turbine is fueled with methane. The analysis is mainly based on CHEMKIN simulations where the calculation scheme of the combustion process in the combustor is modeled by a combination of plug reactors and mixers. Due to the unique characteristics of gas turbines, inlet air temperature is directly linked to combustion pressure while assuming conventional adiabatic compression efficiencies. It is shown that free radicals, which are part of the reaction products and exists for only a short period of time within the recirculated gases, decrease ignition delay time. The importance of shortening the ignition delay is further highlighted because of the adverse effect oxygen dilution has on this parameter (dilution of the reactants by the reaction products). It was found that there is an optimal recirculation rate, which corresponds to maximum heat density. In addition, results indicate that CO emission values rise with the recirculation rate, however the NOX values are more complicated. NOX depends on recirculation rate when flame temperatures are kept held constant. The NOX emission increases and the CO emission decreases with compressor pressure ratio. The CO concentration that is evaluated in the combustion process is further reduced during last dilution stage. Finally, basic rules for design optimization of the combustor are drafted. These are based on conventional one-dimensional fluid and thermodynamic relations and on the CHEMKIN simulations.


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