Design and Numerical Simulation of Two Dimensional Ultra Compact Combustor Model Sections for Experimental Observation of Cavity-Vane Flow Interactions
Abstract
An improved computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed for numerical simulation of the Ultra Compact Combustor (UCC) concept to enhance turbulent flow characterization of the circumferentially traveling, centrifugal-force enhanced combustion, cavity flow into the engine main flow passage via a radial cavity in the turbine axial guide vanes. The CFD model uses a dense grid on a 60 deg periodic, axisymmetric combustor section, with the RNG kappa-epsilon turbulence model to resolve turbulent flow details. An overall analysis and performance evaluation of the experimentally tested UCC configuration and an axially shortened cavity baseline configuration was conducted at various experimentally documented operating conditions. This CFD model is then applied in designing two sector test rigs to simulate a portion of the UCC flow to allow optical access to the cavity-vane flow interaction, an area inaccessible on a full test rig. The design steps include a 2-D planar, periodic model eliminating centrifugal-force effects and the design of two non-periodic test sections with an extended cavity simulating mass entrainment before interacting with the cavity-vane and main flow. The planar and curved sector rigs were evaluated and cavity flow parameters analyzed at experimental and atmospheric conditions for comparison with the 3-D baseline configuration.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA456932
Entities
People
- David S. Moenter
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology