Turbulent Flames in Enclosed Combustion Chambers: Characteristics and Visualization—A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdellatif M. Sadiq ◽  
Ahmad K. Sleiti ◽  
Samer F. Ahmed

Abstract Remarkable progress has been achieved in measuring the flame propagation rate accurately under laminar conditions, which can be used to predict turbulent flame propagation rates using some correlations fitted to experimental data. However, such propagation rates, unlike the laminar case, cannot be unambiguously determined. Nevertheless, the advancement of laser imaging techniques has led to several definitions of turbulent burning rates (Roshan et al., 2010, “Simulation of Global Warming Effect on Outdoor Thermal Comfort Conditions,” Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol., 7(3), pp. 571–580). Recently, a unified scaling factor has been successfully demonstrated using data gathered from several fan-stirred bombs. Such results are promising in compiling a comprehensive database of turbulent propagation rates for potential and common fuels of interest to internal combustion engines (ICEs) and gas turbines alike. The strict worldwide legislation to reduce emissions has forced many industries to look into alternative fuels with less emissions. One such alternative fuel that has gained much interest recently is the gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuel, which is being used in blended forms in several combustion applications. However, detailed combustion characteristic investigations are required before using this new alternative fuel widely in engines (Business, 2018, “Qatar’s Exporters Directory 2018”). In this study, the significant issues associated with the use of fan-stirred bombs are investigated. First, the effect of varying fan speed and geometry is reviewed, and then, the measurement techniques that are commonly used to track flame propagation are discussed. This is followed by the study of the effect of using different types of fuels on combustion characteristics. Furthermore, the use of diesel and gasoline optical engine setups as advanced flame visualization tools have been reviewed extensively.

Author(s):  
Jassin Fritz ◽  
Martin Kröner ◽  
Thomas Sattelmayer

Flame flashback from the combustion chamber into the mixing zone is one of the inherent problems of lean premixed combustion and essentially determines the reliability of low NOx burners. Generally, flashback can be initiated by one of the following four phenomena: flashback due to the conditions in the boundary layer, flashback due to turbulent flame propagation in the core flow, flashback induced by combustion instabilities and flashback caused by combustion induced vortex breakdown. In this study, flashback in a swirling tubular flow was investigated. In order to draw maximum benefit from the tests with respect to the application in gas turbines, the radial distribution of the axial and circumferential momentum in the tube was selected such that the typical character of a flow in mixing zones of premix burners without centerbody was obtained. A single burner test rig has been designed to provoke flashback with the preheating temperature, the equivalence ratio and the mean flow rate being the influencing parameters. The flame position within the mixing section is detected by a special optical flame sensor array, which allows the control of the experiment and furthermore the triggering of the measurement techniques. The burning velocity of the fuel has been varied by using natural gas or hydrogen. The characteristics of the flashback, the unsteady swirling flow during the flame propagation, the flame dynamics and the reaction zones have been investigated by applying High Speed Video recordings, the Laser Doppler Anemometry and the Laser Induced Fluorescence. The presented results show that a combustion induced vortex breakdown is the dominating mechansim of the observed flashback. This mechanism is very sensitive to the momentum distribution in the vortex core. By adding axial momentum around the mixing tube axis, the circumferential velocity gradient is reduced and flashback can be prevented.


2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (2) ◽  
pp. 276-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Fritz ◽  
M. Kro¨ner ◽  
T. Sattelmayer

Flame flashback from the combustion chamber into the mixing zone is one of the inherent problems of lean premixed combustion and essentially determines the reliability of low NOx burners. Generally, flashback can be initiated by one of the following four phenomena: flashback due to the conditions in the boundary layer, flashback due to turbulent flame propagation in the core flow, flashback induced by combustion instabilities and flashback caused by combustion induced vortex breakdown. In this study, flashback in a swirling tubular flow was investigated. In order to draw maximum benefit from the tests with respect to the application in gas turbines, the radial distribution of the axial and circumferential momentum in the tube was selected such that the typical character of a flow in mixing zones of premix burners without centerbody was obtained. A single burner test rig has been designed to provoke flashback with the preheating temperature, the equivalence ratio and the mean flow rate being the influencing parameters. The flame position within the mixing section is detected by a special optical flame sensor array, which allows the control of the experiment and furthermore the triggering of the measurement techniques. The burning velocity of the fuel has been varied by using natural gas or hydrogen. The characteristics of the flashback, the unsteady swirling flow during the flame propagation, the flame dynamics and the reaction zones have been investigated by applying high-speed video recordings, the laser Doppler anemometry and the laser induced fluorescence. The presented results show that a combustion induced vortex breakdown is the dominating mechanism of the observed flashback. This mechanism is very sensitive to the momentum distribution in the vortex core. By adding axial momentum around the mixing tube axis, the circumferential velocity gradient is reduced and flashback can be prevented.


2018 ◽  
Vol 850 ◽  
pp. 784-802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheng Yang ◽  
Abhishek Saha ◽  
Zirui Liu ◽  
Chung K. Law

In this paper we study the essential role of Darrieus–Landau (DL), hydrodynamic, cellular flame-front instability in the propagation of expanding turbulent flames. First, we analyse and compare the characteristic time scales of flame wrinkling under the simultaneous actions of DL instability and turbulent eddies, based on which three turbulent flame propagation regimes are identified, namely, instability dominated, instability–turbulence interaction and turbulence dominated regimes. We then perform experiments over an extensive range of conditions, including high pressures, to promote and manipulate the DL instability. The results clearly demonstrate the increase in the acceleration exponent of the turbulent flame propagation as these three regimes are traversed from the weakest to the strongest, which are respectively similar to those of the laminar cellularly unstable flame and the turbulent flame without flame-front instability, and thus validating the scaling analysis. Finally, based on the scaling analysis and the experimental results, we propose a modification of the conventional turbulent flame regime diagram to account for the effects of DL instability.


Author(s):  
Tadej Holler ◽  
Varun Jain ◽  
Ed M. J. Komen ◽  
Ivo Kljenak

The CFD combustion modeling approach based on two combustion models was applied to a hydrogen deflagration experiment conducted in a large-scale confined experimental vessel. The used combustion models were Zimont’s Turbulent Flames Speed Closure (TFC) model and Lipatnikov’s Flame Speed Closure (FSC) model. The conducted simulations are aimed to aid identifying and evaluating the potential hydrogen risks in Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) containment. The simulation results show good agreement with experiment for axial flame propagation using the Lipatnikov combustion model. However substantial overprediction in radial flame propagation is observed using both combustion models, which consequently results also in overprediction of the pressure increase rate and overall combustion energy output. As assumed for a large-scale experiment without any turbulence inducing structures, the combustion took place in low-turbulence regimes, where the Lipatnikov combustion model, due to its inclusion of quasi-laminar source term, has advantage over the Zimont model.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (21) ◽  
pp. 7447
Author(s):  
Thomas Buckley Imhoff ◽  
Savvas Gkantonas ◽  
Epaminondas Mastorakos

This study develops system-level models of ammonia-fuelled powertrains that reflect the characteristics of four oceangoing vessels to evaluate the efficacy of ammonia as an alternative fuel in the marine environment. Relying on thermodynamics, heat transfer, and chemical engineering, the models adequately capture the behaviour of internal combustion engines, gas turbines, fuel processing equipment, and exhaust aftertreatment components. The performance of each vessel is evaluated by comparing its maximum range and cargo capacity to a conventional vessel. Results indicate that per unit output power, ammonia-fuelled internal combustion engines are more efficient, require less catalytic material, and have lower auxiliary power requirements than ammonia gas turbines. Most merchant vessels are strong candidates for ammonia fuelling if the operators can overcome capacity losses between 4% and 9%, assuming that the updated vessels retain the same range as a conventional vessel. The study also establishes that naval vessels are less likely to adopt ammonia powertrains without significant redesigns. Ammonia as an alternative fuel in the marine sector is a compelling option if the detailed component design continues to show that the concept is practically feasible. The present data and models can help in such feasibility studies for a range of vessels and propulsion technologies.


Author(s):  
Vlade Vukadinovic ◽  
Peter Habisreuther ◽  
Nikolaos Zarzalis

Gas turbine combustor design relies strongly on the turbulent flame velocity over the whole turbine operation range. Due to the fact that turbulent flame velocity depends strongly on the laminar one, its characterization at different thermodynamic conditions is necessary for further optimization of gas turbines. The Markstein number, which quantifies the response of the flame to the stretch, also has to be considered. Additionally, the Markstein number can be utilized as an indicator for laminar and turbulent flame front stability. Current attempts to replace conventional fuels, such as kerosene, with alternative ones, obtrude their comparison in order to find the most appropriate substitute. Additionally, significant differences in the flame behavior, which could be recognized through different combustion characteristics, can lead to modification of currently used gas turbine design. Even so, the experimental data of alternative fuels are scarce, especially at elevated pressure conditions. So, the combustion characteristics, laminar burning velocity, and Markstein number of kerosene Jet A-1 and several alternative fuels (gas to liquid (GTL) and GTL blends) are investigated experimentally in an explosion vessel. For this purpose an optical laser method is employed based on the Mie-scattering of the laser light by smoke particles. Within this experimental study the influence of three crucial parameters, initial temperature, initial pressure, and mixture composition on the burning velocity and Markstein number, are investigated. The experiments are performed at three different pressures 1, 2, and 4 bar; three different temperatures 100 °C, 150 °C, and 200 °C; and for a range of equivalence ratio 0.67–1.67. The observed results are compared and discussed in detail.


Author(s):  
Michael Hage ◽  
Andreas Dreizler ◽  
Johannes Janicka

The present study reports on non-reacting swirling flow fields and droplet diameter distributions of sprays at elevated pressures and reduced inlet air temperatures. The combustion chamber used in this study enabled optical access from three sides allowing the application of various laser based measurement techniques. It is equipped with an airblast atomizer nozzle typical for many gas turbines. The parameters of the boundary conditions, based on a reacting case for a partially premixed turbulent flame, were varied to such an extent that laser diagnostics were feasible. The effects of variation in chamber pressure (2–3 bar) and inlet temperature (250–350°C) are discussed. In order to investigate the influence of the atomized liquids, and thereby surface tensions, water sprays were analysed additionally for comparison to n-heptane. For single-phase isothermal air flows, mean velocities and RMS-values were measured using laser Doppler anemometry (LDA). The aim was solely to test the performance of the turbulence model in a subsequent numerical simulation and to allow for a characterization of the flow field in absence of the spray. In addition to the statistically independent LDA measurements, time series were recorded with the intention to gain structural information on the flow patterns. The autocorrelations derived from the time series revealed a periodic coherent structure within the flow pattern indicating the presence of a precessing vortex core (PVC) typical for swirl stabilized flows.


Author(s):  
Vlade Vukadinovic ◽  
Peter Habisreuther ◽  
Nikolaos Zarzalis

Gas turbine combustor design relies strongly on the turbulent flame velocity over the whole turbine operation range. Due to the fact that turbulent flame velocity depends strongly on the laminar one, its characterisation at different thermodynamic conditions is necessary for further optimisation of gas turbines. The Markstein number, which quantifies the response of the flame to the stretch, also has to be considered. Additionally, the Markstein number can be utilised as an indicator for laminar and turbulent flame front stability. The current attempts to replace conventional fuels, such as kerosene, with alternative ones, obtrude their comparison in order to find the most appropriate substitute. Additionally, significant differences in the flame behaviour, which could be recognised through different combustion characteristics, can lead to modification of currently used gas turbine design. Even so, the experimental data of alternative fuels are scarce, especially at elevated pressure conditions. So, the combustion characteristics, laminar burning velocity and Markstein number of kerosene Jet A-1 and several alternative fuels (GTL and GTL blends) are investigated experimentally in an explosion vessel. For this purpose an optical laser method is employed based on the Mie-scattering of the laser light by smoke particles. Within this experimental study the influence of three crucial parameters: initial temperature, initial pressure and mixture composition on the burning velocity and Markstein number are investigated. The experiments were performed at three different pressures 1, 2, 4bar; three different temperatures 100°C, 150°C, 200°C; and for a range of equivalence ratio 0.67–1.67. The observed results are compared and discussed in detail.


Author(s):  
Pier Carlo Nassini ◽  
Daniele Pampaloni ◽  
Antonio Andreini ◽  
Roberto Meloni

Abstract Modern gas turbines usually adopt very lean premixed flames to meet the current strict law restrictions on nitric oxides emissions. In such devices, strong combustion instabilities and blow-off susceptibility often prevent from achieving a stable flame in leaner conditions. Numerical models to predict the lean blow-off in turbulent flames are essential to prevent such instabilities, but the simulation of blow-off still represents a challenge, requiring the appropriate modelling for the turbulence-chemistry interactions and the highly transient behaviour of the flame near the extinction limit. The present work explores the capabilities of the widely-used Flamelet Generated Manifold model in predicting the lean blow-off of a turbulent swirl-stabilized premixed flame within LES framework. An atmospheric premixed methane-air flame, experimentally studied at the University of Cambridge, is firstly analyzed in three operating conditions approaching blow-off to validate the numerical setup. An extended Turbulent Flame Closure (TFC) model, implemented within the FGM framework in Fluent to introduce the effect of stretch and heat loss on the flame, reproduces the evolution of the key flame characteristics. Then, the chosen setup is used to study the blow-off inception and the dynamics in two conditions with different flow rate. An accelerated numerical procedure with progressive step reductions of equivalence ratio is used to trigger the blow-off. The extinction equivalence ratio is predicted quite accurately, showing that the Extended TFC is suitable for the study of the blow-off, without an increase in computational cost. The validity of the model could be extended, allowing the study of lean blow-off in realistic conditions and complex flames of gas turbine combustors.


Author(s):  
QI CHEN ◽  
◽  
JINTAO SUN ◽  
JIANYU LIU ◽  
BAOMING ZHAO ◽  
...  

Plasma-assisted ignition and combustion, widely applied in gas turbines, scramjets, and internal combustion engines, has been considered as a promising technique in shortening ignition delay time, improving combustion energy efficiency, and reducing emission. Nonequilibrium plasma can excite the gas molecules to higher energy states, directly dissociate or ionize the molecules and, thereby, has the potential to produce reactive species at residence time and location in a combustible mixture and then to efficiently accelerate the overall pyrolysis, oxidation, and ignition. Previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of plasma-assisted combustion by using direct current, alternating currant, microwave, radio frequency, and pulsed nanosecond discharge (NSD). Due to the complicated interaction between plasma and combustion in different types of plasma, detailed plasma-combustion chemistry is still not well understood.


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