Numerical Investigation of Dump Diffuser Combustor Performance at Uniform and Non-Uniform Inlet Conditions

Author(s):  
Heyu Wang ◽  
Kai Hong Luo

Abstract A numerical investigation has been conducted for an axisymmetric dump diffuser combustor, which is a simplified geometry of a typical lean-burn combustor in a modern civil aero-engine gas turbine. The aerodynamic performance of the combustor is analyzed with an emphasis on two common performance parameters: static pressure recovery and total pressure loss. The former is essential in maintaining high-pressure air flow across the liner, whereas the latter involves the specific fuel consumption of the aero-engine. At first, the effects of geometrical parameters of the dump diffuser combustor are investigated. A high diffuser angle seems to be detrimental to both static pressure recovery and total pressure loss. On the other hand, a high dump gap ratio is beneficial from the aerodynamic performance point of view. However, all these desired characteristics are subject to mechanical constraints and their implications for specific consumption. Optimum values of those parameters should exist for a given desired aerodynamics performance. The majority of previous researches, including the first part of this study, have been carried out with uniform inlet conditions due to a typical independent design cycle of each component. The effects of compressor exit conditions are usually not considered in the early stage design process. In the second part of this study, various inlet conditions representing a more realistic compressor exit condition such as inlet symmetrical and asymmetrical boundary layer thickness are investigated. The performance of an asymmetrical configuration with a thin boundary layer thickness near the outer annulus is almost comparable to that of its uniform counterpart. Findings of this study provide useful input for combustor designers to improve the combustor’s performance based on the compressor exit conditions.

1999 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 410-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. I. Yaras

The paper presents detailed measurements of the incompressible flow development in a large-scale 90 deg curved diffuser with strong curvature and significant streamwise variation in cross-sectional aspect ratio. The flow path approximates the so-called fishtail diffuser utilized on small gas turbine engines for the transition between the centrifugal impeller and the combustion chamber. Two variations of the inlet flow, differing in boundary layer thickness and turbulence intensity, are considered. Measurements consist of three components of velocity, static pressure and total pressure distributions at several cross-sectional planes throughout the diffusing bend. The development and mutual interaction of multiple pairs of streamwise vortices, redistribution of the streamwise flow under the influence of these vortices, the resultant streamwise variations in mass-averaged total-pressure and static pressure, and the effect of inlet conditions on these aspects of the flow are examined. The strengths of the vortical structures are found to be sensitive to the inlet flow conditions, with the inlet flow comprising a thinner boundary layer and lower turbulence intensity yielding stronger secondary flows. For both inlet conditions a pair of streamwise vortices develop rapidly within the bend, reaching their peak strength at about 30 deg into the bend. The development of a second pair of vortices commences downstream of this location and continues for the remainder of the bend. Little evidence of the first vortex pair remains at the exit of the diffusing bend. The mass-averaged total pressure loss is found to be insensitive to the range of inlet-flow variations considered herein. However, the rate of generation of this loss along the length of the diffusing bend differs between the two test cases. For the case with the thinner inlet boundary layer, stronger secondary flows result in larger distortion of the streamwise velocity field. Consequently, the static pressure recovery is somewhat lower for this test case. The difference between the streamwise distributions of measured and ideal static pressure is found to be primarily due to total pressure loss in the case of the thick inlet boundary layer. For the thin inlet boundary layer case, however, total pressure loss and flow distortion are observed to influence the pressure recovery by comparable amounts.


Author(s):  
Ralph J. Volino

Experiments were conducted in a linear high pressure turbine cascade with an adjustable tip gap at one endwall. The cascade included a wake generator with moving rods that simulated the effect of an upstream vane row. Cases were documented with no tip gap, a gap of 1.5% of axial chord, and a gap of 3.8% of chord. Cases with flat blade tips were considered with thick and thin endwall boundary layers. Cases with flat tips and squealer tips were documented with the thin endwall boundary layer. For all cases data were acquired both with and without upstream wakes. Documentation included total pressure loss fields in the endwall region and corresponding velocity fields acquired using particle image velocimetry (PIV). The PIV measurements showed the various vortices in the flow field and their response to unsteady wakes. The strength and position of the vortices were directly related to regions of high total pressure loss. Reducing the endwall boundary layer thickness tended to reduce losses, but also resulted in increased leakage flow, which increased losses, particularly in cases with a large tip gap. The squealer tip reduced losses compared to the flat tip cases.


1963 ◽  
Vol 67 (629) ◽  
pp. 291-295
Author(s):  
R. T. Griffiths

SummaryBoundary layer measurements have been made at four positions on a slender gothic wing of aspect ratio 0·75. Test's were made over a range of incidence at M=1·42 and 1·82. With transition fixed by roughness near the leading edge the boundary layer thickness varied little with small positive or negative incidence but was reduced at larger incidences, this being most marked at positive incidence for positions nearest the leading edge due to the influence of the wing vortex. With the exception of positions in the vicinity of the vortex, a good estimate of the boundary layer thickness was given by the theory for incompressible flow over a flat plate and an excellent estimate of the variation of local static pressure and Mach number with incidence was given by not-so-slender wing theory.


Author(s):  
Qingzong Xu ◽  
Pei Wang ◽  
Qiang Du ◽  
Jun Liu ◽  
Guang Liu

With the increasing demand of high bypass ratio and thrust-to-weight ratio in civil aero-engine, the intermediate turbine duct between the high pressure and low pressure turbines of a modern gas turbine tends to shorter axial length, larger outlet-to-inlet area ratio and high pressure-to-low pressure radial offset. This paper experimentally and numerically investigated the three-dimensional flow characteristics of traditional (ITD1) and aggressive intermediate turbine duct (ITD2) at low Reynolds number. The baseline case of ITD1 is representative of a traditional intermediate turbine duct of aero-engine design with non-dimensional length of L/dR = 2.79 and middle angle of 20.12°. The detailed flow fields inside ITD1 and flow visualization were measured. Results showed the migration of boundary layer and a pair of counter-rotating vortexes were formed due to the radial migration of low momentum fluid. With the decreasing axial length of intermediate turbine duct, the radial and streamwise reverse pressure gradient in aggressive intermediate turbine duct (ITD2) were increased resulting in severe three-dimensional separation of boundary layer near casing surface and higher total pressure loss. The secondary flow and separation of boundary layer near the endwall were deeply analyzed to figure out the main source of high total pressure loss in the aggressive intermediate turbine duct (ITD2). Based on that, employing wide-chord guide vane to substitute “strut + guide vane”, this paper designed the super-aggressive intermediate turbine duct and realized the suppression of the three-dimensional separation and secondary flow.


2011 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Edwards ◽  
A. Asghar ◽  
R. Woodason ◽  
M. LaViolette ◽  
K. Goni Boulama ◽  
...  

This paper addresses the issue of aerodynamic consequences of small variations in airfoil profile. A numerical comparison of flow field and cascade pressure losses for two representative repaired profiles and a reference new vane were made. Coordinates for the three airfoil profiles were obtained from the nozzle guide vanes of refurbished turboshaft engines using 3D optical scanning and digital modeling. The repaired profiles showed differences in geometry in comparison with the new vane, particularly near the leading and trailing edges. A numerical simulation was conducted using a commercial CFD code, which uses the finite volume approach for solving the governing equations. The computational predictions of the aerodynamic performance were compared with experimental results obtained from a cascade consisting of blades with the same airfoil profiles. The CFD analysis was performed for the cascade at subsonic inlet and transonic exit conditions. Boundary layer growth, wake formation, and shock boundary layer interactions were observed in the two-dimensional computations. The flow field showed the presence of shock waves downstream of the passage throat and near the trailing edges of the blades. A conspicuous change in flow pattern due to subtle variation in airfoil profile was observed. The calculated flow field was compared with the flow pattern visualized in the experimental test rig using the schlieren method. The total pressure calculation for the cascade exit showed an increase in pressure loss for one of the off-design profiles. The pressure loss calculations were also compared with the multihole total pressure probe measurement in the transonic cascade rig.


Author(s):  
Shan Ma ◽  
Wuli Chu ◽  
Haoguang Zhang ◽  
Chuanle Liu

The performance of a compressor cascade is considerably influenced by flow control methods. In this paper, the synergistic effects of combination between micro-vortex generators (MVG) and boundary layer suction (BLS) are discussed in a high-load compressor cascade. Seven cases, which are grouped by a kind of micro-vortex generator and boundary layer suction with three locations, are investigated to control secondary flow effects and enhance the aerodynamic performance of the compressor cascade. The MVG is mounted on the end-wall in front of the passage. The rectangle suction slot with three radial positions is installed on the blade suction surface near the trailing edge. The numerical results show that: at the design condition, the total pressure loss is effectively decreased as well as the static pressure coefficient increase when the combined MVG and SBL method (COM) is used, which is superior to MVG in an aerodynamic performance. At the stall condition, the induced vortex coming from MVG could mix the low-energy fluid and mainstream, which result in the reduced separation, and the total pressure loss decreased by 11.54% when the suction flow ratio is 1.5%. The total pressure loss decreases by 14.59% when the COM control methods are applied.


1981 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Klein

The available experimental evidence of the effects of inlet conditions on the performance of conical diffusers with a free discharge is reviewed. The effects of inlet boundary layer thickness blockage, inlet shape parameter, turbulence, and Reynolds number are discussed. It is shown that many of the inconsistencies between different sources of data are the result of nonturbulent approach flows. Graphs are presented as guidelines for diffuser design.


2010 ◽  
Vol 29-32 ◽  
pp. 2119-2123
Author(s):  
Da Min Cao ◽  
Hong Yang Lv ◽  
Xing Yuan Zhang ◽  
Sheng Bin Hu

The 2-D internal steady flow of the scramjet inlet-isolator was numerically simulated by the CFD method. The static pressure contours of the scramjet inlet-isolator under different boundary thickness and different back pressure were given. The numerical simulation results of two kinds of reasons which make the inlet un-start are obtained. One is the boundary layer thickness and another is the high back pressure at the exit of the isolator. When the boundary layer thickness increased, air can not smoothly flow into the inlet isolator and caused inlet un-start. Sameness along with the back pressure rise, have the phenomenon of inlet un-start, too. But the reason of un-start is disaffiliate. In the text analyzed the reasons of un-start phenomenon which from two different perspectives on the problem.


Author(s):  
Prasanta K. Sinha ◽  
Ananta Kumar Das ◽  
Bireswar Majumdar

In the present investigation the distribution of mean velocity, static pressure and total pressure are experimentally studied on an annular curved diffuser of 30° angle of turn with an area ratio of 1.283 and centerline length was chosen as three times of inlet diameter. The experimental results then were numerically validated with the help of Fluent and then a series of parametric investigations are conducted with same centre line length and inlet diameter but with different area ratios varying from 1.15 to 3.75. The measurements were taken at Reynolds number 2.25 x 105 based on inlet diameter and mass average inlet velocity. Predicted results of coefficient of mass averaged static pressure recovery (30%) and coefficient of mass averaged total pressure loss (21%) are in good agreement with the experimental results of coefficient of mass averaged static pressure recovery (26%) and coefficient of mass averaged total pressure loss (17%) respectively. Standard k-ε model in Fluent solver was chosen for validation. From the parametric investigation it is observed that static pressure recovery increases up to an area ratio of 2.86 and between the area ration 2.86 to 3.75, pressure recovery decreases steadily. The coefficient of total pressure loss almost remains constant with the change in area ratio for similar inlet conditions.


Author(s):  
R. Edwards ◽  
A. Asghar ◽  
R. Woodason ◽  
M. LaViolette ◽  
K. Goni Boulama ◽  
...  

This paper addresses the issue of aerodynamic consequences of small variations in airfoil profile. A numerical comparison of flow field and cascade pressure losses for two representative repaired profiles and a reference new vane were made. Coordinates for the three airfoil profiles were obtained from the nozzle guide vanes of refurbished turboshaft engines using 3D optical scanning and digital modeling. The repaired profiles showed differences in geometry in comparison with the new vane, particularly near the leading and trailing edges. A numerical simulation was conducted using a commercial CFD code which uses the finite element approach for solving the governing equations. The computational predictions of the aerodynamic performance were validated with experimental results obtained from a transonic cascade consisting of blades with the same airfoil profiles. A CFD analysis was performed for the cascade at subsonic inlet and transonic exit conditions. Boundary layer growth, wake formation, and shock boundary layer interactions were observed in the two-dimensional computations. The flow field showed the presence of shock waves downstream of the passage throat and near the trailing edges of the blades. A conspicuous change in flow pattern due to subtle variation in airfoil profile was observed. The calculated flow field was compared with the flow pattern visualized in the experimental test rig using the Schlieren method. The total pressure calculation for the cascade exit showed an increase in pressure loss for one of the off-design profiles. The pressure loss calculations were also compared with the multi-hole total pressure probe measurement in the transonic cascade rig.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document