Computational Parametric Study of Fuel Distribution in an Experimental Trapped Vortex Combustor Sector Rig

Abstract

Numerical simulations are performed to predict the flow properties in a liquid spray droplets fueled Trapped Vortex Combustor (TVC) sector rig. The quantities studied include aerodynamics, pressure drop, spray droplets trajectories, evaporation, mixing and combustion, and combustor exit temperature distributions. Previous numerical simulations of this TVC configuration have identified basic flow patterns and performance characteristics, and were generally in good agreement with experimental data. In the current effort, more detailed investigations were performed to understand the sensitivity of the TVC combustor to variations in the liquid fuel injection parameters. The computational model is described, including combustor geometry, boundary conditions for all combustion and cooling air injections, and spray droplets inlet conditions. A key finding is that liquid fuel injection boundary conditions for different types of downstream flows (cavity, high velocity cross flow) require different treatments, even though similar fuel injectors are used. This is evident in the large differences observed in the combustor exit plane pattern factor due to only minor differences in the fueling schemes. Combustor exit temperature profile strongly affects the design for turbine durability. With small changes in the temperature distribution, design modifications for the first turbine vane cooling schemes are required.

Optical diagnostics of fuel–air mixing and vortex formation in a cavity combustor

“…This configuration employed struts to obtain better mixing in the mainstream. Meyer et al [3] and other similar inverstigations [4,5,6] conceptualised the TVC for an annular combustor. A two-dimensional, dual cavity rig was designed and tested.…”

Combustion of hydrogen in an experimental trapped vortex combustor

“…It was developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory and General Electric Aircraft Engines in the U.S. [3,4] , and has been widely studied for aircraft engine applications [5][6][7] , recently also for stationary gas turbine combustor applications as well [8,9] . Detailed experimental tests have demonstrated that trapped vortex combustor has extraordinary performances, such as high combustion efficiency, low NOx emission, reduced lean blow out, increase in altitude re-light, and so on [10] .…”

Large Eddy Simulation of turbulent flames in a Trapped Vortex Combustor (TVC) – A flamelet presumed-pdf closure preserving laminar flame speed

“…The drag induced on the flow by a cavity has been thoroughly studied in the literature, it was found that the optimal cavity length in terms of drag reduction is associated with the appearance of quasi-stable vortices within the cavity [9,10], linked with a pseudo-stagnation of the shear layer at the downstream cavity corner [11,12]. On these grounds, various TVC (Trapped Vortex Combustor) have been discussed and studied [8,13,14].…”