Computational assessment of performance parameters of an aero gas turbine combustor for full flight envelope operation

Abstract

This paper presents the computational study carried out on an aero gas turbine combustor to assess important performance parameters. The CFD results are compared with experimental dataobtained from the full scale combustor tested at ground test stand simulating various operational conditions. The CFD predictions have agreed very well with the experimental data. The model is then extended to predict combustor exit temperature pattern factors, pressure loss, and combustion efficiency and exhaust gas constituents over a wide range of operating pressure and temperature conditions. The paper also presents the studies carried out on the effect of atomizer spray cone angle, particle size and fuel flow variations expected due to manufacturing tolerances in various flow passages as well as due to operational degradations on temperature pattern factors. The pattern factors are also analyzed on cold and hot day environment. The radial pattern factor (RPF) at mid height is found to increase as altitude increases from sea level to 12 km. Spray cone angle is found to have a predominant effect on temperature non-uniformity at exit, lower cone angle increasing both radial and circumferential pattern factors. The findings of this study are valuable inputs for engine performance estimation.