Effect of inlet flow turbulence on the combustion instability in a premixed backward-facing step combustor

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 5189-5196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baladandayuthapani Nagarajan ◽  
N.A. Baraiya ◽  
S.R. Chakravarthy
Keyword(s):  
Combustion Instability ◽  
Backward Facing Step ◽  
Inlet Flow ◽  
Flow Turbulence

Pulsating Flow in a Channel With a Backward-Facing Step

1997 ◽  
Vol 50 (11S) ◽  
pp. S232-S236
Author(s):  
Alvaro Valencia
Keyword(s):  
Vortex Breakdown ◽  
Separation Zone ◽  
Pulsating Flow ◽  
Steady Flows ◽  
Reattachment Length ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Backward Facing Step ◽  
Primary Vortex ◽  
Inlet Flow ◽  
Inlet Velocity

The incompressible laminar flow in a channel with a backward-facing step is studied for steady cases and for pulsating inlet flow conditions. For steady flows, the influrnce of the inlet velocity profile, the height of the step, and the Reynolds number on the reattachment length is investigated. A parabolic entrance profile was used for pulsating flow. It was found with amplitude of oscillation of one by Re = 100 that the primary vortex breakdown through one pulsatile cycle and the wall shear stress in the separation zone varied markedly with pulsating inlet flow.

Absolute/Convective Instability Transition in a Backward Facing Step Combustor: Fundamental Mechanism and Influence of Density Gradient

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiran Manoharan ◽  
Santosh Hemchandra
Keyword(s):  
Stability Analysis ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Flow Velocity ◽  
Convective Instability ◽  
Flow Instability ◽  
Hydrodynamic Instability ◽  
Combustion Instability ◽  
Base Flow ◽  
Flow Density ◽  
Backward Facing Step

Hydrodynamic instabilities of the flow field in lean premixed gas turbine combustors can generate velocity perturbations that wrinkle and distort the flame sheet over length scales that are smaller than the flame length. The resultant heat release oscillations can then potentially result in combustion instability. Thus, it is essential to understand the hydrodynamic instability characteristics of the combustor flow field in order to understand its overall influence on combustion instability characteristics. To this end, this paper elucidates the role of fluctuating vorticity production from a linear hydrodynamic stability analysis as the key mechanism promoting absolute/convective instability transitions in shear layers occurring in the flow behind a backward facing step. These results are obtained within the framework of an inviscid, incompressible, local temporal and spatio-temporal stability analysis. Vorticity fluctuations in this limit result from interaction between two competing mechanisms — (1) production from interaction between velocity perturbations and the base flow vorticity gradient and (2) baroclinic torque in the presence of base flow density gradients. This interaction has a significant effect on hydrodynamic instability characteristics when the base flow density and velocity gradients are co-located. Regions in the space of parameters characterizing the base flow velocity profile, i.e. shear layer thickness and ratio of forward to reverse flow velocity, corresponding to convective and absolute instability are identified. The implications of the present results on prior observations of flow instability in other flows such as heated jets and bluff-body stabilized flames is discussed.

scholarly journals Effect of Oscillating Inlet Flow on Combustion Instability

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 1080-1088
Author(s):  
Sayed Mousavi ◽  
Saeid Kheradmand ◽  
Mohsen Mirzabozorg
Keyword(s):  
Combustion Instability ◽  
Inlet Flow

Investigation on Effect of Inlet Flow Turbulence on the Combustion Instability Using Simultaneous PIV and CH* Chemiluminescence in a Backward Facing Step Combustor

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pankaj Pancharia ◽  
Vikram Ramanan ◽  
Baladandayuthapani Nagarajan ◽  
S. R. Chakravarthy
Keyword(s):  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Equivalence Ratio ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Combustion Instability ◽  
Flow Dynamics ◽  
Airflow Rate ◽  
Backward Facing Step ◽  
Time Resolved ◽  
Flame Holder

Abstract The present study investigates the role of inlet turbulence intensity on the stability characteristics of a lab scale backward facing step combustor (BFS). Turbulence generator placed upstream of the flame holder is used to vary the turbulence levels. The present study utilizes simultaneous chemiluminescence, particle image velocimetry (PIV) and unsteady pressure fluctuation measurement are done in a time-resolved manner to study the role of inlet turbulence intensity on the flame-flow dynamics and identify different modes of combustion instability as a result of the same. The bifurcation plot with airflow rate, in terms of step-based Reynolds number (Re) as the control parameter, indicates a counterintuitive picture, whereby higher turbulence intensity postpones the onset of instability. The finding has been reported in the past by Nagarajan et. al [30], with the present work extending it. It is shown that the flow-flame structures at high (∼1000 Pa) and very high (>4000 Pa), conditions, the dynamics are significantly different across the same turbulence intensity at different equivalence ratio as well as at different turbulence intensities for the same equivalence ratio. Analysis of the flame-flow dynamics reveals the role of the extent of vortex initiated by acoustics and its orientation in forming an unsteady loop, whereby the vortex span and strength aids the flame to propagate upstream of the step, and the flame in-turn being responsible to sustain the large-scale vortex. This phenomenon is distinct from the conventional vortex sustained combustion instability, whereby the vortex is of the lower span and does not influence the upstream flow. The role of inlet turbulence intensity is seen to be more pronounced in the extent of the flame propagating upward, which then completes the fore-mentioned loop.

Absolute/Convective Instability Transition in a Backward Facing Step Combustor: Fundamental Mechanism and Influence of Density Gradient

2014 ◽  
Vol 137 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiran Manoharan ◽  
Santosh Hemchandra
Keyword(s):  
Stability Analysis ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Flow Velocity ◽  
Convective Instability ◽  
Hydrodynamic Instability ◽  
Combustion Instability ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Base Flow ◽  
Flow Density ◽  
Backward Facing Step

Hydrodynamic instabilities of the flow field in lean premixed gas turbine combustors can generate velocity perturbations that wrinkle and distort the flame sheet over length scales that are smaller than the flame length. The resultant heat release oscillations can then potentially result in combustion instability. Thus, it is essential to understand the hydrodynamic instability characteristics of the combustor flow field in order to understand its overall influence on combustion instability characteristics. To this end, this paper elucidates the role of fluctuating vorticity production from a linear hydrodynamic stability analysis as the key mechanism promoting absolute/convective instability transitions in shear layers occurring in the flow behind a backward facing step. These results are obtained within the framework of an inviscid, incompressible, local temporal and spatio-temporal stability analysis. Vorticity fluctuations in this limit result from interaction between two competing mechanisms—(1) production from interaction between velocity perturbations and the base flow vorticity gradient and (2) baroclinic torque in the presence of base flow density gradients. This interaction has a significant effect on hydrodynamic instability characteristics when the base flow density and velocity gradients are colocated. Regions in the space of parameters characterizing the base flow velocity profile, i.e., shear layer thickness and ratio of forward to reverse flow velocity, corresponding to convective and absolute instability are identified. The implications of the present results on understanding prior experimental studies of combustion instability in backward facing step combustors and hydrodynamic instability in other flows such as heated jets and bluff body stabilized flames is discussed.

Numerical Simulation of a Turbulent Flow Over a Backward Facing Step With Heated Wall: Effect of Pulsating Velocity and Oscillating Wall

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. Pozarlik ◽  
J. B. W. Kok
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Transfer Coefficient ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Turbulent Flow ◽  
Transfer Coefficient ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Excitation Frequency ◽  
Heated Wall ◽  
Backward Facing Step ◽  
Inlet Flow

An accurate prediction of the flow and the thermal boundary layer is required to properly simulate gas to wall heat transfer in a turbulent flow. This is studied with a view to application to gas turbine combustors. A typical gas turbine combustion chamber flow presents similarities with the well-studied case of turbulent flow over a backward facing step, especially in the near-wall regions where the heat transfer phenomena take place. However, the combustion flow in a gas turbine engine is often of a dynamic nature and enclosed by a vibrating liner. Therefore apart from steady state situations, cases with an oscillatory inlet flow and vibrating walls are investigated. Results of steady state and transient calculations for the flow field, friction coefficient, and heat transfer coefficient, with the use of various turbulence models, are compared with literature data. It has been observed that the variations in the excitation frequency of the inlet flow and wall vibrations have an influence on the instantaneous heat transfer coefficient profile. However, significant effect on the time mean value and position of the heat transfer peak is only visible for the inlet velocity profile fluctuations with frequency approximately equal to the turbulence bursting frequency.

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