An FV-EE model to predict lean blowout limits for gas turbine combustors with different structures and sprays

The occurrence of Lean Blowout(LBO)is a disadvantage that endangers a stable operation of gas turbines.A determination of LBO limits is essential in the design of gas turbine combustors.A semiempirical model is one of the most widely used methods to predict LBO limits.Among the existing semiempirical models for predicting LBO limits,Lefebvre’s LBO model and the Flame Volume(FV)model are particularly suitable for gas turbine combustors.On the basis of Lefebvre’s and FV models,the concept of effective evaporation efficiency is introduced in this paper,and a Flame Volume-Evaporation Efficiency(FV-EE)model is derived and validated.LBO experiments are carried out in a model combustor with 23 different structures and 10 different sprays.The prediction uncertainty of the FV-EE model is less than±13%for all of these 33 structures and sprays,compared with±50%for the FV model and±60%for Lefebvre’s model.Furthermore,the prediction uncertainty of the FV-EE model is also less than±13%for other combustors from available literature.

Combustion and emission characteristics of a dual injection system applied to a DISI engine

Concerns about environmental pollution and energy shortages have increased worldwide. One approach to reduce CO2 emissions from gasoline engines is to achieve stratified charge combustion with various injection ratios using port fuel injection （PFI） and direct injection. The combustion and emission characteristics of a 4-valve direct injection spark ignition （DISI） engine equipped with a dual injection system were investigated while the injection ratio was varied. When the direct injection ratio increased, the lean limit A/F was extended. This suggests that the dual injection gasoline engine with both PFI and direct injection can meet severe vehicle emission and fuel economy requirements. The dual injection system had higher combustion pressure than that of either a conventional or direct injection systems. Therefore, the engine power of a dual injection DISI engine would be higher than that of a single injection DISI engine. However, NOx emissions increased compared with the emission levels in both PFI and DISI systems.

Hybrid method based on flame volume concept for lean blowout limits prediction of aero engine combustors

The Lean Blowout(LBO)limit is crucial for the aircraft engines.The semi-empirical(such as Lefebvre’s LBO model and Flame Volume(FV)model),numerical and hybrid methods are widely utilized for the LBO limit quick prediction.An innovative hybrid method based on the FV concept is proposed.This method can be classified as a semi-empirical/physical based hybrid prediction method.In this hybrid method,it is assumed that the flame volume varies nearly linearly with the fuel/air ratio near the LBO.The flame volume is obtained directly by the numerical simulation using the threshold value of the visible flame boundary as 900 K.Then the final LBO limits is determined by the FV model.On the premise of keeping the good generality of prediction,the hybrid method based on the FV concept can further improve the prediction accuracy.The comparison with the prediction of the existing available methods on fifteen combustors shows that the hybrid method based on the FV concept achieves better prediction accuracy.The prediction uncertainties between the experimental results and the predicted values by the hybrid method based on the FV concept are within about±10%.

Experimental investigation of a gliding discharge plasma jet igniter

Relight of jet engines at high altitude is difficult due to the relatively low pressure and temperature of inlet air.The penetration of initial flame kernel affects the ignition probability in the turbine engine combustor greatly.In order to achieve successful ignition at high altitude,a deeper penetration of initial flame kernel should be generated.In this study,a Gliding Arc Plasma Jet Igniter(GAPJI)is designed to induce initial flame kernel with deeper penetration to achieve successful ignition at high altitude.The ignition performance of the GAPJI was demonstrated in a model combustor.It was found that GAPJI can generate plasma with deeper penetration up to 30.5 mm than spark igniter with 22.1 mm.The discharge power of GAPJI was positively correlated with flow rate of the carrier gas,approaching 200 W in average.Ignition experiments show that GAPJI has the advantage of extending the lean ignition limit.With GAPJI,the lean ignition limit of the combustor is 0.02 at 0 km,which is 55.6%less than that with spark igniter(0.045).The evolution of flame morphology was observed to explore the development of the flame kernel.It is shown that the advantage of a high penetration and continuous releasing energy can accelerate the ignition process and enhance combustion.