Flow Field Dynamics in a High-g Ultra-Compact Combustor
Abstract
The Ultra Compact Combustor (UCC) presents a novel solution to the advancement of aircraft gas turbine engine performance. A high-g UCC design operates by diverting a portion of the axial compressor flow into a circumferential combustion cavity positioned about the engine outer diameter. The circumferential cavity (CC) provides the necessary residence length and time for combustion within reduced axial lengths; furthermore, high rates of centrifugal acceleration termed high-g loading are imposed upon the swirling cavity flow. These high-g conditions are hypothesized to increase flame speed, reduce flame length, and improve lean blow-out performance. Work at AFIT was sponsored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research to study high-g combustion. This research capitalized on the availability of advanced flow diagnostic data coupled with a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to provide detailed insight into the high-g flow field and combustion dynamics. Results indicated that combustion could be sustained and controlled in a manner suitable for integration into modern gas turbine engine architecture.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1032042
Entities
People
- Andrew E Cottle
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology