Numerical Simulation of a Gas Turbine Combustor Using Nanosecond Pulsed Actuators

Abstract

We numerically predict nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) actuators for combustion stabilization. Three problems are considered in the present study. First problem is a benchmark case which is compared with reported experimental data. Numerical results show good agreement with velocity components in axial-, radial-and tangential-directions. For the comparison of flame temperature, we also show similar trend with the experiment. For the second problem, we employ serpentine plasma actuator for plasma assisted combustion. We numerically investigated the influence of inner and outer recirculation zones interacts with the serpentine plasma actuators. Also, the details of the flame shape and combustion stabilization mechanism are examined. The last problem is to use nanosecond pulsed plasma actuators for stabilizing the flame. The results show that the nanosecond pulsed actuators are able to stabilize the flame near the walls. This may also enhance combustion efficiency for a lean-burn condition. NomenclatureD e,m,p = electron, negative ion or positive ion diffusion coefficient (m 2 /s) E = electric field (V/m) e = elementary charge (C) F E = electric force density (N/m 3 ) J = current density (A/m 2 ) k B = Boltzmann's constant (J/K) k e = turbulent kinetic energy (m 2 /s 2 ) n e,m,p = electron, negative ion or positive ion density (m -3 ) P Th = power deposition (W/m 3 ) p = pressure (Torr) q = charge density, (n p -n m -n e ) (m -3 ) r ep,mp = electron-ion or ion-ion recombination rate (m 3 /s) T e,m,p = electron, negative ion or positive ion temperature (K) t = time (s) V B = Bohm velocity (m/s) V e,m,p = electron, negative ion or positive ion velocity (m/s) V = fluid velocity (m/s)  = ionization coefficient (m -1 )  = dielectric constant (Farad/m)  = potential (V)  e = electron flux (m -2 s -1 )   = attachment coefficient (m -1 )   = thermal conductivity (W/mK)  e,m,p = electron, negative ion or positive ion mobility (m 2 /sV)  t = turbulent dynamic viscosity (kg/sm)  = fluid viscosity (kg/sm)  = fluid density (kg/m 3 )  = viscous stress tensor (N/m 2 ) k   = reaction rate of species (kg/sm 3 ) T   = heat release (W/m 3 )

Effect of dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators on non-equilibrium hypersonic flows

“…It has been used to solve various fluid-plasma interaction problems. [21][22][23]46 MIG's original formulation is Galerkin based finite element method, which requires the solution to be continuous across the elements' interfaces (Fig. 3).…”

Implementation of the classical plasma–fluid model for simulation of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) actuators in OpenFOAM

“…Moreover, this approximation is valid when the mean free path is significantly smaller than the characteristic length scale of the problem. This is typically the case at atmospheric pressures and length scales of the order of millimeters or greater [41]. In other words, as long as the thermal velocity is comparable to the drift velocity and the continuum regime is applicable (Knudsen number Kn is low, λ/L = Kn < < 1, as the mean free path λ at atmospheric conditions is O (10 −7 m) and the actuator characteristic length L is O (10 −3 m)), the inertial components in the momentum equation can be neglected.…”

“…This implies that the dependence of these coefficients on the mean energy is supposed to be the same as at equilibrium. The local equilibrium assumption implies that the transport coefficients depend on space and time only through the local value of the electric field E(x, t ) (functions of the reduced electric field E/N where E is the field amplitude and N the gas number density [41]). In this way, the transport coefficients are assumed to be the same as those which could be measured or calculated under a uniform and constant electric field E (hydrodynamic regime).…”

Numerical design and analysis of a multi-DBD actuator configuration for the experimental testing of ACHEON nozzle model

“…AC-DBD plasma actuations are capable of influencing the momentum boundary layer significantly in low speed regime, Therefore, they find limited application for high speed flows. As an alternative, when a high-voltage nanosecond pulsed DBD plasma actuators are becoming a quite attractive option for high speed applications [13,14]. The main mechanism of impact for nanosecond pulsed plasma actuators is the energy transfer [15,16].…”