A variety of different flame configurations and heat release distributions, with their associated flow fields, can exist in high swirl, annular flows. Each of these different configurations, in turn, has different thermoacoustic sensitivities and influences on combustor emissions, nozzle life, and liner heating. These different configurations arise because at least three flame stabilization locations are present, associated with the inner and outer shear layers of the annulus, and the stagnation point of the vortex breakdown region.
This paper discusses the flame and flow topologies that exist in these flows. These results illustrate the importance of the sensitivity of flame configurations to geometric (such as centerbody size and shape, combustor diameter, exhaust contraction) and operational (e.g., bulkhead temperature, preheat temperature, fuel air ratio) parameters. We particularly emphasize the centerbody shape as differentiating between two different families of flame shapes. Results are shown illustrating the time averaged and instantaneous flame shape and flow fields, using high speed PIV, OH-PLIF, and luminosity imaging.