Investigation of Centrifugal Force and Reynolds Number Effects on Combustion Processes

Abstract

Tests in a combustion centrifuge have demonstrated that increased buoyancy produced by centrifugal force can be used to increase flamespeeds significantly over turbulent flamespeed, which controls combustion rates in conventional burners. A model has been developed that predicts the flamespreading rate at various burner conditions. In addition, a second model, based on classical heat transfer correlations, has been developed to predict with reasonable accuracy the extinction limits of flames at very high centrifugal force values. The effects of Reynolds number on turbulent flamespeeds and on limiting bubble sizes in gravitational fields have also been measured. Testing of a subscale swirl augmentor has confirmed the validity of the experimental model and it has been used to design a full-scale augmentor for advanced versions of an Air Force turbofan engine. The swirl augmentor is predicted to reduce the fuel consumption and increase the stability of the engine.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA013912

Entities

People

  • Clifford E. Smith
  • George D. Lewis

Organizations

  • Pratt & Whitney

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Afterburners
  • Buoyancy
  • Burning Rate
  • Centrifugal Force
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Combustion
  • Experimental Data
  • Fires
  • Flame Propagation
  • Generators
  • Gravitational Fields
  • Heat Transfer
  • Ignition
  • Ignition Lag
  • Physical Properties
  • Turbofan Engines
  • Turbojet Engines

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics.
  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Technology.