Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence Imaging of OH in a Supersonic Combustor Fueled with Ethylene and Methane (Postprint)

Abstract

A supersonic combustor was experimentally investigated using both conventional instrumentation and laser-based diagnostics. Planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) imaging of OH was used in the main section of the combustor to examine flameholding and flame propagation during a series of evaluations at conditions simulating Mach-5.5 flight. Parameters of interest in this study included the angle of the primary fuel injectors, the distribution of fuel throughout the combustor, and the fuel composition. Changes in fuel injection angle were expected to influence the mixing and combustion processes, and therefore combustor operation. Fuel-distribution variations were expected to modify the flame propagation between flameholding regions. Finally, ethylene and methane were used to examine the suitability of the flameholder designs over a wide range of fuel reactivity. Results suggest that the combustor provides relatively robust flameholding regardless of the fuel used and good flame propagation as long as the fuel distribution provides favorable conditions in the flameholding regions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA516704

Entities

People

  • Campbell D. Carter
  • Mark R. Gruber
  • Michael D. Ryan
  • Tarun Mathur

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Combustion
  • Combustion Products
  • Combustors
  • Engines
  • Flame Propagation
  • Fluorescence
  • Fuel Injection
  • Fuel Injectors
  • Ignition Lag
  • Laser Induced Fluorescence
  • Lasers
  • Optical Materials
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Supersonic Combustion
  • Supersonic Combustion Ramjet Engines

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Technology.
  • Petroleum Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Hypersonics
  • Hypersonics - Hypersonic Flow