An Acoustic Time-of-Flight Approach for Unsteady Temperature Measurements: Characterization of Entropy Waves in a Model Gas Turbine Combustor

2016 ◽  
Vol 139 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Wassmer ◽  
Bruno Schuermans ◽  
Christian Oliver Paschereit ◽  
Jonas P. Moeck
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Acoustic Waves ◽  
Fuel Injection ◽  
Acoustic Pulse ◽  
Time Of Flight ◽  
Phase Lag ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Unsteady Temperature ◽  
Arrival Times ◽  
Flow Velocities

Lean premixed combustion promotes the occurrence of thermoacoustic phenomena in gas turbine combustors. One mechanism that contributes to the flame–acoustic interaction is entropy noise. Fluctuations of the equivalence ratio in the mixing section cause the generation of hot spots in the flame. These so-called entropy waves are convectively transported to the first stage of the turbine and generate acoustic waves that travel back to the flame; a thermoacoustic loop is closed. However, due to the lack of experimental tools, a detailed investigation of entropy waves in gas turbine combustion systems has not been possible up to now. This work presents an acoustic time-of-flight based temperature measurement method which allows the measurement of temperature fluctuations in the relevant frequency range. A narrow acoustic pulse is generated with an electric spark discharge close to the combustor wall. The acoustic response is measured at the same axial location with an array of microphones circumferentially distributed around the combustion chamber. The delay in the pulse arrival times corresponds to the line-integrated inverse speed of sound. For the measurement of entropy waves in an atmospheric combustion test rig, fuel is periodically injected into the mixing tube of a premixed combustor. The subsequently generated entropy waves are measured for different forcing frequencies of the fuel injection and for different mean flow velocities in the combustor. The amplitude decay and phase lag of the entropy waves adhere well to a Strouhal number scaling for different mean flow velocities.

An Acoustic Time-of-Flight Approach for Unsteady Temperature Measurements: Characterization of Entropy Waves in a Model Gas Turbine Combustor

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Wassmer ◽  
Bruno Schuermans ◽  
Christian Oliver Paschereit ◽  
Jonas P. Moeck
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Measurement ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Equivalence Ratio ◽  
Acoustic Pulse ◽  
Time Of Flight ◽  
Tunable Diode Laser ◽  
Phase Lag ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Unsteady Temperature ◽  
Flow Velocities

Lean premixed combustion promotes the occurrence of thermoacoustic phenomena in gas turbine combustors. One mechanism that contributes to the flame-acoustic interaction is entropy noise. Fluctuations of the equivalence ratio in the mixing section cause the generation of hot spots in the flame. These so called entropy waves are convectively transported to the first stage of the turbine and generate acoustic waves that travel back to the flame; a thermoacoustic loop is closed. However, due to the lack of experimental tools, a detailed investigation of entropy waves in gas turbine combustion systems has not been possible up to now. This work presents an acoustic time-of-flight based temperature measurement method which allows the detection of temperature fluctuations in the relevant frequency range. A narrow acoustic pulse is generated with an electric spark discharge close to the combustor wall. The acoustic response is measured at the same axial location with an array of microphones circumferentially distributed around the combustion chamber. The delay in the pulse arrival times corresponds to the line-integrated inverse speed of sound. For validation of this new method an experimental setup was developed capable of generating well defined entropy waves. As a reference temperature measurement technique a hot-wire anemometer is employed. For the measurement of entropy waves in an atmospheric combustion test rig, fuel is periodically injected into the mixing tube of a premixed combustor. The subsequently generated entropy waves are detected for different forcing frequencies of the fuel injection and for different mean flow velocities in the combustor. The amplitude decay and phase lag of the entropy waves adheres well to a Strouhal number scaling for different mean flow velocities. In addition, simultaneously to the entropy wave measurement, the equivalence ratio fluctuations in the mixing tube are detected using the Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) technique.

The dissipation and shear dispersion of entropy waves in combustor thermoacoustics

2013 ◽  
Vol 733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee S. Morgans ◽  
Chee Su Goh ◽  
Jeremy A. Dahan
Keyword(s):  
Transfer Function ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Acoustic Waves ◽  
Flow Simulation ◽  
Turbulent Channel Flow ◽  
Combustion Noise ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Gaussian Form ◽  
Gaussian Profile ◽  
Shear Dispersion

AbstractThis paper considers the effect of flow advection on entropy waves. The interest is in whether entropy waves persist in gas turbine combustors, between the flame, where they are generated, and the combustor exit, where their acceleration generates acoustic waves (known as ‘entropy noise’ or ‘indirect combustion noise’). Entropy wave advection within a simplified fully developed turbulent channel-flow simulation is investigated. Entropy wave dissipation is found to be negligible, with loss of entropy wave strength caused predominantly by mean flow shear dispersion. The impulse response of entropy perturbations downstream of where they are generated is shown to be well modelled by a Gaussian profile in time. This yields a (different) Gaussian form for the inlet–outlet transfer function of entropy perturbations. For representative gas turbine flows, the magnitude of this transfer function is such that significant entropy wave strength will remain at the combustor exit, confirming that entropy-generated acoustic waves are likely to be important.

scholarly journals Low-cost Solutions for Velocimetry in Rotating and Opaque Fluid Experiments using Ultrasonic Time of Flight

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian Burmann ◽  
Jerome Noir ◽  
Stefan Beetschen ◽  
Andrew Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Waves ◽  
Flow Measurement ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Time Of Flight ◽  
Zonal Flow ◽  
Gravitational Acceleration ◽  
Complex Flow ◽  
Ultrasonic Time ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
Complex Flow Structure

AbstractMany common techniques for flow measurement, such as Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) or Ultrasonic Doppler Velocimetry (UDV), rely on the presence of reflectors in the fluid. These methods fail to operate when e.g centrifugal or gravitational acceleration leads to a rarefaction of scatterers in the fluid, as for instance in rapidly rotating experiments. In this article we present two low-cost implementations for flow measurement based on the transit time (or Time of Flight) of acoustic waves, that do not require the presence of scatterers in the fluid. We compare our two implementations against UDV in a well controlled experiment with a simple oscillating flow and show we can achieve measurements in the sub-centimeter per second velocity range with an accuracy of $\sim 5-10\%$ ∼ 5 − 10 % . We also perform measurements in a rotating experiment with a complex flow structure from which we extract the mean zonal flow, which is in good agreement with theoretical predictions.

Modeling of Gas Turbine Fuel Nozzle Spray

1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. K. Rizk ◽  
J. S. Chin ◽  
M. K. Razdan
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Fuel Injection ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Continuous Phase ◽  
Liquid Sheet ◽  
Vapor Concentration ◽  
Fuel Vapor ◽  
Fuel Injector ◽  
Gas Temperature ◽  
Sheet Breakup

Satisfactory performance of the gas turbine combustor relies on the careful design of various components, particularly the fuel injector. It is, therefore, essential to establish a fundamental basis for fuel injection modeling that involves various atomization processes. A two-dimensional fuel injection model has been formulated to simulate the airflow within and downstream of the atomizer and address the formation and breakup of the liquid sheet formed at the atomizer exit. The sheet breakup under the effects of airblast, fuel pressure, or the combined atomization mode of the airassist type is considered in the calculation. The model accounts for secondary breakup of drops and the stochastic Lagrangian treatment of spray. The calculation of spray evaporation addresses both droplet heat-up and steady-state mechanisms, and fuel vapor concentration is based on the partial pressure concept. An enhanced evaporation model has been developed that accounts for multicomponent, finite mass diffusivity and conductivity effects, and addresses near-critical evaporation. The presents investigation involved predictions of flow and spray characteristics of two distinctively different fuel atomizers under both nonreacting and reacting conditions. The predictions of the continuous phase velocity components and the spray mean drop sizes agree well with the detailed measurements obtained for the two atomizers, which indicates the model accounts for key aspects of atomization. The model also provides insight into ligament formation and breakup at the atomizer exit and the initial drop sizes formed in the atomizer near field region where measurements are difficult to obtain. The calculations of the reacting spray show the fuel-rich region occupied most of the spray volume with two-peak radial gas temperature profiles. The results also provided local concentrations of unburned hydrocarbon (UHC) and carbon monoxide (CO) in atomizer flowfield, information that could support the effort to reduce emission levels of gas turbine combustors.

Development and Integration of the Dual Fuel Combustion System for the MGT Gas Turbine Family

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard Ćosić ◽  
Frank Reiss ◽  
Marc Blümer ◽  
Christian Frekers ◽  
Franklin Genin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Liquid Fuel ◽  
Fuel Injection ◽  
Liquid Fuels ◽  
Dual Fuel ◽  
Gaseous Fuels ◽  
Supply And Distribution ◽  
Industrial Gas Turbines

Abstract Industrial gas turbines like the MGT6000 are often operated as power supply or as mechanical drives. In these applications, liquid fuels like 'Diesel Fuel No.2' can be used either as main fuel or as backup fuel if natural gas is not reliably available. The MAN Gas Turbines (MGT) operate with the Advanced Can Combustion (ACC) system, which is capable of ultra-low NOx emissions for gaseous fuels. This system has been further developed to provide dry dual fuel capability. In the present paper, we describe the design and detailed experimental validation process of the liquid fuel injection, and its integration into the gas turbine package. A central lance with an integrated two-stage nozzle is employed as a liquid pilot stage, enabling ignition and start-up of the engine on liquid fuel only. The pilot stage is continuously operated, whereas the bulk of the liquid fuel is injected through the premixed combustor stage. The premixed stage comprises a set of four decentralized nozzles based on fluidic oscillator atomizers, wherein atomization of the liquid fuel is achieved through self-induced oscillations. We present results illustrating the spray, hydrodynamic, and emission performance of the injectors. Extensive testing of the burner at atmospheric and full load high-pressure conditions has been performed, before verification within full engine tests. We show the design of the fuel supply and distribution system. Finally, we discuss the integration of the dual fuel system into the standard gas turbine package of the MGT6000.

Low-Emissions Technology Development for Auxiliary Power Unit Combustion Systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Bronson ◽  
Rudy Dudebout ◽  
Nagaraja Rudrapatna
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Unit ◽  
Fuel Injection ◽  
Oxides Of Nitrogen ◽  
Combustion System ◽  
Auxiliary Power Unit ◽  
Criteria Pollutants ◽  
Auxiliary Power ◽  
Combustion Systems ◽  
Aircraft Application

Abstract The aircraft Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is required to provide power to start the main engines, conditioned air and power when there are no facilities available and, most importantly, emergency power during flight operation. Given the primary purpose of providing backup power, APUs have historically been designed to be extremely reliable while minimizing weight and fabrication cost. Since APUs are operated at airports especially during taxi operations, the emissions from the APUs contribute to local air quality. There is clearly significant regulatory and public interest in reducing emissions from all sources at airports, including from APUs. As such, there is a need to develop technologies that reduce criteria pollutants, namely oxides of nitrogen (NOx), unburned hydrocarbons (UHC), carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke (SN) from aircraft APUs. Honeywell has developed a Low-Emissions (Low-E) combustion system technology for the 131-9 and HGT750 family of APUs to provide significant reduction in pollutants for narrow-body aircraft application. This article focuses on the combustor technology and processes that have been successfully utilized in this endeavor, with an emphasis on abating NOx. This paper describes the 131-9/HGT750 APU, the requirements and challenges for small gas turbine engines, and the selected strategy of Rich-Quench-Lean (RQL) combustion. Analytical and experimental results are presented for the current generation of APU combustion systems as well as the Low-E system. The implementation of RQL aerodynamics is well understood within the aero-gas turbine engine industry, but the application of RQL technology in a configuration with tangential liquid fuel injection which is also required to meet altitude ignition at 41,000 ft is the novelty of this development. The Low-E combustion system has demonstrated more than 25% reduction in NOx (dependent on the cycle of operation) vs. the conventional 131-9 combustion system while meeting significant margins in other criteria pollutants. In addition, the Low-E combustion system achieved these successes as a “drop-in” configuration within the existing envelope, and without significantly impacting combustor/turbine durability, combustor pressure drop, or lean stability.

Predicting Thermoacoustic Instability in an Industrial Gas Turbine Combustor: Combining a Low Order Network Model With Flame LES

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Xia ◽  
A. S. Morgans ◽  
W. P. Jones ◽  
J. Rogerson ◽  
G. Bulat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Acoustic Waves ◽  
Gas Turbine Combustor ◽  
Network Modelling ◽  
Weakly Nonlinear ◽  
Thermoacoustic Instability ◽  
Reduced Chemistry ◽  
Flame Describing Function ◽  
Industrial Gas Turbine ◽  
Low Order

The thermoacoustic modes of a full scale industrial gas turbine combustor have been predicted numerically. The predictive approach combines low order network modelling of the acoustic waves in a simplified geometry, with a weakly nonlinear flame describing function, obtained from incompressible large eddy simulations of the flame region under upstream forced velocity perturbations, incorporating reduced chemistry mechanisms. Two incompressible solvers, each employing different numbers of reduced chemistry mechanism steps, are used to simulate the turbulent reacting flowfield to predict the flame describing functions. The predictions differ slightly between reduced chemistry approximations, indicating the need for more involved chemistry. These are then incorporated into a low order thermoacoustic solver to predict thermoacoustic modes. For the combustor operating at two different pressures, most thermoacoustic modes are predicted to be stable, in agreement with the experiments. The predicted modal frequencies are in good agreement with the measurements, although some mismatches in the predicted modal growth rates and hence modal stabilities are observed. Overall, these findings lend confidence in this coupled approach for real industrial gas turbine combustors.

An Onion Peeling Reconstruction of the Spatial Characteristics of Entropy Waves in a Model Gas Turbine Combustor

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Wassmer ◽  
Felix Pause ◽  
Bruno Schuermans ◽  
Christian Oliver Paschereit ◽  
Jonas P. Moeck
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Reaction Zone ◽  
Equivalence Ratio ◽  
Acoustic Noise ◽  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Time Of Flight ◽  
Spark Discharge ◽  
Turbine Stage ◽  
Radial Temperature ◽  
Reconstructed Temperature

Entropy noise affects thermoacoustic stability in lean pre-mixed gas turbine combustion chambers. It is defined as acoustic noise that is emitted at the first turbine stage due to the acceleration of entropy waves that are advected from the reaction zone in the combustor to the turbine inlet. These non-isentropic temperature waves are caused by equivalence ratio fluctuations which are inherently present in a technically premixed combustion system. To experimentally study the generation and transport of entropy waves, an estimation of the spatial distribution of the entropy spots is highly valuable as it allows the accurate determination of the cross-section averaged entropy, which is the relevant quantity for the formation mechanism of entropy noise at the turbine stage. In this work, a time-of-flight based temperature measurement method is applied to a circular combustion test rig equipped with a premixed swirl-stabilized combustor. Downstream of the burner, an electric spark discharge is employed to generate a narrow acoustic pulse which is detected with a circumferentially arranged microphone array. The measured time of flight of the acoustic signal corresponds to the line-integrated inverse of the speed of sound between the acoustic source and each microphone. By modulating a share of the injected gaseous fuel, equivalence ratio fluctuations are generated upstream of the reaction zone and consequently entropy spots are advected through the axial measurement plane. The spark discharge is triggered at distinct phase angles of the entropy oscillation, thus allowing a time resolved-analysis of the thermo-acoustic phenomenon. Estimating the spatial temperature distribution from the measured line integrated inverse speed of sounds requires tomographic reconstruction. A Tikhonov regularized Onion Peeling is employed to deduce radial temperature profiles. To increase the number of independent data, the spark location is radially traversed, which enhances the resolution of the reconstructed temperature field. A phantom study is conducted, which allows the assessment of the capabilities of the reconstruction algorithm. By means of the reconstructed radial entropy field, spatially resolved entropy waves are measured and their amplitudes and phases are extracted. The characteristics of the entropy waves measured in this way correspond well to former studies.

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