Gas Turbine Combustor Rig Development and Initial Observations at Cold and Reacting Flow Conditions

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Gomez-Ramirez ◽  
Sandeep Kedukodi ◽  
Siddhartha Gadiraju ◽  
Srinath V. Ekkad ◽  
Hee-Koo Moon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Reacting Flow ◽  
Fuel Injector ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Gas Turbine Combustor ◽  
Inlet Conditions

The present paper describes the first phase of the design and development of a realistic, high-pressure, full-scale research gas turbine combustor at Virginia Tech. The final test rig will be capable of operating at inlet temperatures of 650 K, pressures up to 9.28 Bar (120 psig), maximum air inlet flow rates of 1.27 kg/s (2.8 lbm/s), and allow for variations in the geometry of the combustor model. The first phase consists of a low-pressure (atmospheric) optical combustor for heat transfer and flow-field measurements at isothermal and reacting conditions. The combustor model is equipped with an industrial low emission fuel injector from Solar Turbines Incorporated, used in their land based gas turbine Taurus-60. The primary objective of the developed rig is to provide additional insight into the heat transfer processes that occur within gas turbine combustors, primarily the convective component, which has not been characterized. A future phase of the test rig development will incorporate a pressure vessel that will allow for the operation of the combustor simulator at higher pressures. In the present publication, the design methodology and considerations, as well as the challenges encountered during the design of the first phase of the simulator are briefly discussed. An overview is given on the design of the instrumentation and process piping surrounding the test rig, including ASME codes followed as well as the instrumentation and equipment selected. A detailed description of the test section design is given, highlighting the design for high temperature operation. As an example of the capabilities of the rig, representative measurements are presented. Characterization of the isothermal flow field using planar Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) at a Reynolds number of 50 000 was performed and compared with flame imaging data at the same inlet conditions operating at an equivalence ratio of 0.7. The data suggests that the flame location follows the maximum turbulent kinetic energy as measured in the isothermal field. Representative data from the computational efforts are also presented and compared with the experimental measurements. Future work will expand on both reacting and isothermal PIV and heat transfer measurements, as well as computational validations.

Flow Field and Wall Temperature Measurements for Reacting Flow in a Lean Premixed Swirl Stabilized Can Combustor

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhyeon Park ◽  
David Gomez-Ramirez ◽  
Siddhartha Gadiraju ◽  
Sandeep Kedukodi ◽  
Srinath V. Ekkad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Swirling Flow ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Reacting Flow ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Gas Turbine Combustor ◽  
Lean Premixed

In this study, we provide detailed wall heat flux measurements and flow details for reacting flow conditions in a model combustor. Heat transfer measurements inside a gas turbine combustor provide one of the most serious challenges for gas turbine researchers. Gas turbine combustor improvements require accurate measurement and prediction of reacting flows. Flow and heat transfer measurements inside combustors under reacting flow conditions remain a challenge. The mechanisms of thermal energy transfer must be investigated by studying the flow characteristics and associated heat load. This paper experimentally investigates the effects of combustor operating conditions on the reacting flow in an optical single can combustor. The swirling flow was generated by an industrial lean premixed, axial swirl fuel nozzle. Planar particle image velocimetry (PIV) data were analyzed to understand the characteristics of the flow field. Liner surface temperatures were measured in reacting condition with an infrared camera for a single case. Experiments were conducted at Reynolds numbers ranging between 50,000 and 110,000 (with respect to the nozzle diameter, DN); equivalence ratios between 0.55 and 0.78; and pilot fuel split ratios of 0 to 6%. Characterizing the impingement location on the liner, and the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) distribution were a fundamental part of the investigation. Self-similar characteristics were observed at different reacting conditions. Swirling exit flow from the nozzle was found to be unaffected by the operating conditions with little effect on the liner. Comparison between reacting and nonreacting flows (NR) yielded very interesting and striking differences.

Effect of Downstream Contraction on Liner Heat Transfer in a Gas Turbine Combustor Swirl Flow

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Kedukodi ◽  
Srinath Ekkad
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Swirl Flow ◽  
Reacting Flow ◽  
Flow Profile ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Gas Turbine Combustor ◽  
Inlet Flow ◽  
Flow Simulations ◽  
Accelerated Flow

Established numerical approaches for performing detailed flow analysis happens to be an effective tool for industry based applied research. In the present study, computations are performed on multiple gas turbine combustor geometries for turbulent, non-reactive and reactive swirling flow conditions for an industrial swirler. The purpose of this study is to identify the location of peak convective heat transfer along the combustor liner under swirling inlet flow conditions and to investigate the influence of combustor geometry on the flow field. Instead of modeling the actual swirler along with the combustor, an inlet swirl flow profile is applied at the inlet boundary based on previous literature. Initially, the computed results are validated against available experimental data for an inlet Reynolds number flow of 50000 using a 2D axi-symmetric flow domain for non-reacting conditions. A constant heat flux on the liner is applied for the study. Two turbulence models (RNG k-ε and k-ω SST) are utilized for the analysis based on its capability to simulate swirling flows. It is found that both models predict the peak liner heat transfer location similar to experiments. However, k-ε RNG model predicts heat transfer magnitude much closer to the experimental values except displaying an additional peak whereas k-ω model predicts only one peak but tends to over-predict in magnitude. Since the overall characteristic liner heat transfer trend is captured well by the latter one, it is chosen for future computations. A 3D sector (30°) model results also show similar trends as 2D studies. Simulations are then extended to 3 different combustors (Case 1: full cylinder and Case 2 and 3: cylinders with downstream contractions having reduced exit areas) by adopting the same methodology for same inlet flow conditions. Non-reacting simulations predict that the peak heat transfer location is marginally reduced by the downstream contraction of the combustor. However the peak location shifts towards downstream due to the presence of accelerated flow. Reacting flow simulations are performed with Flamelet Generation Manifold (FGM) model for simulating premixed combustion for the same inlet flow conditions as above. It is observed that Case 3 predicts a threefold increase in the exit flow velocity in comparison to non-reacting flow simulations. The liner heat transfer predictions show that both geometries predict similar peak temperatures. However, only one fourth of the initial liner length experiences peak temperature for Case 1 whereas the latter continues to feel the peak till the end. This behavior of Case 3 can be attributed to rapid convection of high temperature products downstream due to the prevailing accelerated flow.

Thermal Analysis of Cooling System in a Gas Turbine Transition Piece

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Su Park ◽  
Namgeon Yun ◽  
Hokyu Moon ◽  
Kyung Min Kim ◽  
Sin-Ho Kang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Thermal Stresses ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Thermal Analyses ◽  
Thermal Design ◽  
Transfer Coefficients ◽  
Transition Piece ◽  
Inlet Conditions

This paper presents thermal analyses of the cooling system of a transition piece, which is one of the primary hot components in a gas turbine engine. The thermal analyses include heat transfer distributions induced by heat and fluid flow, temperature, and thermal stresses. The purpose of this study is to provide basic thermal and structural information on transition piece, to facilitate their maintenance and repair. The study is carried out primarily by numerical methods, using the commercial software, Fluent and ANSYS. First, the combustion field in a combustion liner with nine fuel nozzles is analyzed to determine the inlet conditions of a transition piece. Using the results of this analysis, pressure distributions inside a transition piece are calculated. The outside of the transition piece in a dump diffuser system is also analyzed. Information on the pressure differences is then used to obtain data on cooling channel flow (one of the methods for cooling a transition piece). The cooling channels have exit holes that function as film-cooling holes. Thermal and flow analyses are carried out on the inside of a film-cooled transition piece. The results are used to investigate the adjacent temperatures and wall heat transfer coefficients inside the transition piece. Overall temperature and thermal stress distributions of the transition piece are obtained. These results will provide a direction to improve thermal design of transition piece.

Large Eddy Simulation of Flow and Heat Transfer Mechanism in Matrix Cooling Channel

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yigang Luan ◽  
Lianfeng Yang ◽  
Bo Wan ◽  
Tao Sun
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Large Eddy Simulation ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Transfer Mechanism ◽  
Heat Transfer Mechanism ◽  
Longitudinal Vortices ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
Flow And Heat Transfer ◽  
Large Eddy

Gas turbine engines have been widely used in modern industry especially in the aviation, marine and energy fields. The efficiency of gas turbines directly affects the economy and emissions. It’s acknowledged that the higher turbine inlet temperatures contribute to the overall gas turbine engine efficiency. Since the components are subject to the heat load, the internal cooling technology of turbine blades is of vital importance to ensure the safe and normal operation. This paper is focused on exploring the flow and heat transfer mechanism in matrix cooling channels. In order to analyze the internal flow field characteristics of this cooling configuration at a Reynolds number of 30000 accurately, large eddy simulation method is carried out. Methods of vortex identification and field synergy are employed to study its flow field. Cross-sectional views of velocity in three subchannels at different positions have been presented. The results show that the airflow is strongly disturbed by the bending part. It’s concluded that due to the bending structure, the airflow becomes complex and disordered. When the airflow goes from the inlet to the turning, some small-sized and discontinuous vortices are formed. Behind the bending structure, the size of the vortices becomes big and the vortices fill the subchannels. Because of the structure of latticework, the airflow is affected by each other. Airflow in one subchannel can exert a shear force on another airflow in the opposite subchannel. It’s the force whose direction is the same as the vortex that enhances the longitudinal vortices. And the longitudinal vortices contribute to the energy exchange of the internal airflow and the heat transfer between airflow and walls. Besides, a comparison of the CFD results and the experimental data is made to prove that the numerical simulation methods are reasonable and acceptable.

Numerical Investigation of Gas Turbine Combustor Liner Film Cooling Slots

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Firat Kiyici ◽  
Ahmet Topal ◽  
Ender Hepkaya ◽  
Sinan Inanli
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Prandtl Number ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Film Cooling ◽  
Turbulent Prandtl Number ◽  
Surface Cooling ◽  
Gas Turbine Combustor ◽  
Cooling Effectiveness ◽  
Combustor Liner

A numerical study, based on experimental work of Inanli et al. [1] is conducted to understand the heat transfer characteristics of film cooled test plates that represent the gas turbine combustor liner cooling system. Film cooling tests are conducted by six different slot geometries and they are scaled-up model of real combustor liner. Three different blowing ratios are applied to six different geometries and surface cooling effectiveness is determined for each test condition by measuring the surface temperature distribution. Effects of geometrical and flow parameters on cooling effectiveness are investigated. In this study, Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) simulations are performed with different turbulence models. Effect of the turbulent Prandtl Number is also investigated in terms of heat transfer distribution along the measurement surface. For this purpose, turbulent Prandtl number is calculated with a correlation as a function of local surface temperature gradient and its effect also compared with the constant turbulent Prandtl numbers. Good agreement is obtained with two-layered k–ϵ with modified Turbulent Prandtl number.

scholarly journals Radiative Heat Transfer From Gas Turbine Flames

1979 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Ferguson ◽  
A. M. Mellor
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Flux ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Radiative Heat ◽  
Normal Component ◽  
Particle Analysis ◽  
Soot Concentration ◽  
Gas Turbine Combustor ◽  
Turbulent Fluctuations ◽  
Model Gas Turbine Combustor

Measurements have been made of the normal component of the radiative heat flux to the wall of a model gas turbine combustor with and without a mirrored background. Measurements have also been made of the centerline soot concentration. The data show that the heat flux correlated with the soot concentration but not universally, since JET A fuel yielded a different curve 1han DIESEL fuel. A theoretical analysis of the heat flux from a soot suspension was formulated. A criterion was established for the use of a small particle analysis. Finally, it is shown that there is no correspondence between theory and these experiments. It is speculated that turbulent fluctuations need to be modeled.

Experimental Assessment of the Emissions Benefits of a Ceramic Gas Turbine Combustor

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. O. Smith ◽  
A. Fahme
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Fuel Injector ◽  
Gas Turbine Combustor ◽  
Experimental Assessment ◽  
Industrial Gas Turbine ◽  
Combustor Liner

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.

The Application of Convective Cooling Enhancement of Span-Wise Cooling Holes in a Typical First Stage Turbine Blade

1991 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Stankiewicz ◽  
T. R. Kirkham
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Transfer Enhancement ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Transfer Enhancement ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Heated Oil ◽  
Cooling Enhancement ◽  
Mach And Reynolds Numbers

A technique of heat transfer enhancement is investigated whereby the internal span-wise cooling passages of a typical first stage gas turbine blade are modified by the introduction of circumferential ribs. The technique is verified by the use of a test rig incorporating a heated internally ribbed tube operating at the same range of Mach and Reynolds numbers as the turbine blade as well as by a test rig incorporating actual production blades immersed in a heated oil bath.

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