Impact of the Precessing Vortex Core on NOx Emissions in Premixed Swirl-Stabilized Flames—An Experimental Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Finn Lückoff ◽  
Moritz Sieber ◽  
Christian Oliver Paschereit ◽  
Kilian Oberleithner
Keyword(s):  
Flow Control ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Vortex Core ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry ◽  
Premixed Flame ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Precessing Vortex Core ◽  
Flame Dynamics

Abstract The reduction of NOx emissions remains a driving factor in the design process of swirl-stabilized combustion systems, to meet legislative restrictions. In reacting swirl flows, hydrodynamic coherent structures, such as periodic large-scale vortices in the shear layer, induce zones with increased heat release rate fluctuations in connection with temperature peaks, which lead to an increase of NOx emissions. Such large-scale vortices can be induced by the helical coherent structure known as precessing vortex core (PVC), which influences the flow and flame dynamics under certain operating conditions. We developed an active flow control system, allowing for a targeted actuation of the PVC, to investigate its impact on combustion properties such as NOx emissions. In this work, a perfectly premixed flame, which slightly damps the PVC, is studied in detail. Since the PVC is slightly damped, it can be precisely excited by means of open-loop flow control. In connection with time-resolved OH*-chemiluminescence and stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements, the impact of the actuated PVC on flow and flame dynamics is characterized. It turns out that the PVC rolls up the inner shear layer, which results in an interaction of PVC-induced vortices and flame. This interaction considerably influences the measured level of NOx emissions, which grows with increasing PVC amplitude in a perfectly premixed flame. Nearly, the same increase is measured for partially premixed conditions. This is in contrast to previous studies, where the PVC is assumed to reduce the NOx emissions due to vortex-enhanced mixing.

Impact of the Precessing Vortex Core on NOx Emissions in Premixed Swirl-Stabilized Flames: An Experimental Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Finn Lückoff ◽  
Moritz Sieber ◽  
Christian Oliver Paschereit ◽  
Kilian Oberleithner
Keyword(s):  
Flow Control ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Active Flow Control ◽  
Premixed Flame ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Precessing Vortex Core ◽  
Flame Dynamics ◽  
Swirl Flows ◽  
Active Flow ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The reduction of polluting NOx emission remains a driving factor in the design process of swirl-stabilized combustion systems, to meet strict legislative restrictions. In reacting swirl flows, hydrodynamic coherent structures, such as periodic large-scale vortices in the shear layer, induce zones with increased heat release rate fluctuations in connection with temperature peaks, which lead to an increase of NOx emissions. Such large-scale vortices can be induced by the helical coherent structure known as precessing vortex core (PVC), which influences the flow and flame dynamics of reacting swirl flows under certain operating conditions. We developed an active flow control system, which allows for a targeted actuation of the PVC, to investigate its impact on important combustion properties. In this study, the direct active flow control is used to actuate a PVC of arbitrary frequency and amplitude, which facilitates a systematic study of the impact of the PVC on NOx emissions. In the course of the present work, a perfectly premixed flame, which slightly damps the PVC, is studied in detail. Since the PVC is slightly damped, it can be precisely excited by means of open-loop flow control. In connection with time-resolved OH*-chemiluminescence and stereoscopic PIV measurements, the flame and flow response to PVC actuation as well as the impact of the actuated PVC on flow and flame dynamics are characterized. It turns out that the PVC rolls up the inner shear layer, which results in an interaction of PVC-induced vortices and flame. This interaction considerably influences the measured level of NOx emissions, which grow with increasing PVC amplitude in a perfectly premixed flame. Nearly the same increase is to be seen for a partially premixed flame. This in contrast to previous studies, where the PVC is assumed to reduce the NOx emissions due to vortex-enhanced mixing.

Phase-Opposition Control of the Precessing Vortex Core in Turbulent Swirl Flames for Investigation of Mixing and Flame Stability

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Finn Lückoff ◽  
Moritz Sieber ◽  
Christian Oliver Paschereit ◽  
Kilian Oberleithner
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Flow Control ◽  
Turbulent Mixing ◽  
Vortex Core ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Precessing Vortex Core ◽  
Flame Dynamics ◽  
Flow Control System ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Opposition Control

Abstract The precessing vortex core (PVC) is a helically shaped coherent flow structure that occurs in reacting and nonreacting swirling flows undergoing vortex breakdown. In swirl-stabilized combustors, the PVC affects important phenomena, such as turbulent mixing and thermoacoustic oscillations. In this work, a closed-loop flow control system is developed, which allows for phase-opposition control of the PVC, to achieve appropriate conditions to systematically investigate the influence of the PVC on turbulent flames. The control consists of a zero-net-mass-flux actuator placed in the mixing section of the combustor, where the PVC is most receptive to periodic forcing. The flow control system is characterized from pressure measurements and particle image velocimetry (PIV) and the impact on flame dynamics is extracted from OH*-chemiluminescence measurements. The data reveal that the PVC amplitude is considerably suppressed by the phase-opposition control without changing the overall characteristics of flow and flame, which is crucial to study the exclusive effect of the PVC on combustion processes. Moreover, the control allows the PVC amplitude to be adjusted gradually to investigate the PVC impact on turbulent mixing and flame dynamics. It is revealed that the PVC-induced flow fluctuations mainly affect the large-scale mixing, while the small scale mixing remains unchanged. This is because the suppression of the PVC allows other modes to become more dominant and the overall turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) budget remains unchanged. The destabilization of other modes, such as the axisymmetric mode, may have some implications on thermoacoustic instability.

scholarly journals Design of a Fluidic Actuator with Independent Frequency and Amplitude Modulation for Control of Swirl Flame Dynamics

Fluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 128
Author(s):  
Amrit Adhikari ◽  
Thorge Schweitzer ◽  
Finn Lückoff ◽  
Kilian Oberleithner
Keyword(s):  
Flow Control ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Combustion Process ◽  
Precessing Vortex Core ◽  
Flame Dynamics ◽  
Efficient Combustion ◽  
Control Authority ◽  
Swirl Flame ◽  
Actuator Design ◽  
The Impact

Fluidic actuators are designed to control the oscillatory helical mode, called a precessing vortex core (PVC), which is often observed in gas turbine combustors. The PVC induces large-scale hydrodynamic coherent structures, which can considerably affect flow and flame dynamics. Therefore, appropriate control of this structure can lead to a more stable and efficient combustion process. Currently available flow control systems are designed to control the PVC in laboratory-scale setups. To further develop these systems and find an approach applicable to the industrial scale, a new actuator design based on fluidic oscillators is presented and studied in this paper. This actuator allows for independently adjusting forcing frequency and amplitude, which is necessary to effectively target the dynamics of the PVC. The functionality and flow control of this actuator design are studied based on numerical simulations and experimental measurements. To verify the flow control authority, the actuator is built into a prototype combustor test rig, which allows for investigating the impact of the actuator’s forcing on the PVC at isothermal conditions. The studies conducted in this work prove the desired functionality and flow control authority of the 3D-printed actuator. Accordingly, a two-part stainless steel design is derived for future test conditions with flame.

Phase-Opposition Control of the Precessing Vortex Core in Turbulent Swirl Flames for Investigation of Mixing and Flame Stability

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Finn Lückoff ◽  
Moritz Sieber ◽  
Christian Oliver Paschereit ◽  
Kilian Oberleithner
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Flow Control ◽  
Flow Structure ◽  
Turbulent Mixing ◽  
Vortex Core ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Precessing Vortex Core ◽  
Flame Dynamics ◽  
Flow Control System ◽  
Opposition Control

Abstract The precessing vortex core is a helically-shaped coherent flow structure that occurs in reacting and non-reacting swirling flows undergoing vortex breakdown. In swirl-stabilized combustors, this flow structure affects important phenomena, such as turbulent mixing and thermoacoustic oscillations. In this work, a flow control system is developed to achieve appropriate conditions to systematically investigate the influence of the PVC on turbulent flames. The control consists of a zero-net-mass-flux actuator placed in the mixing section of the combustor, where the PVC is most receptive to periodic forcing. The actuator is driven in a closed loop to achieve phase-opposition control of the PVC. The flow control system is characterized from pressure measurements and particle image velocimetry and the impact on flame dynamics is extracted from OH*-chemiluminescence measurements. The data reveal that the PVC amplitude is considerably suppressed by the phase-opposition control without changing the overall characteristics of flow and flame. This is a very important requirement to study the exclusive effect of the PVC on combustion processes. Moreover, the control allows the PVC amplitude to be adjusted gradually to investigate the PVC impact on turbulent mixing and flame dynamics. It is revealed that the PVC-induced flow fluctuations mainly affect the large-scale mixing, while the small scale mixing remains unchanged. This is because the suppression of the PVC allows other modes to become more dominant and the overall turbulent kinetic energy budget remains unchanged. The destabilization of other modes, such as the axisymmetric mode, may have some implications on thermoacoustic instability.

Impact of Precessing Vortex Core Dynamics on Shear Layer Response in a Swirling Jet

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Frederick ◽  
Kiran Manoharan ◽  
Joshua Dudash ◽  
Brian Brubaker ◽  
Santosh Hemchandra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stability Analysis ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Linear Stability ◽  
Linear Stability Analysis ◽  
Vortex Core ◽  
Combustion Instability ◽  
Forced Response ◽  
Longitudinal Acoustic ◽  
Precessing Vortex Core ◽  
Acoustic Forcing

Combustion instability, the coupling between flame heat release rate oscillations and combustor acoustics, is a significant issue in the operation of gas turbine combustors. This coupling is often driven by oscillations in the flow field. Shear layer roll-up, in particular, has been shown to drive longitudinal combustion instability in a number of systems, including both laboratory and industrial combustors. One method for suppressing combustion instability would be to suppress the receptivity of the shear layer to acoustic oscillations, severing the coupling mechanism between the acoustics and the flame. Previous work suggested that the existence of a precessing vortex core (PVC) may suppress the receptivity of the shear layer, and the goal of this study is to first, confirm that this suppression is occurring, and second, understand the mechanism by which the PVC suppresses the shear layer receptivity. In this paper, we couple experiment with linear stability analysis to determine whether a PVC can suppress shear layer receptivity to longitudinal acoustic modes in a nonreacting swirling flow at a range of swirl numbers. The shear layer response to the longitudinal acoustic forcing manifests as an m = 0 mode since the acoustic field is axisymmetric. The PVC has been shown both in experiment and linear stability analysis to have m = 1 and m = −1 modal content. By comparing the relative magnitude of the m = 0 and m = −1,1 modes, we quantify the impact that the PVC has on the shear layer response. The mechanism for shear layer response is determined using companion forced response analysis, where the shear layer disturbance growth rates mirror the experimental results. Differences in shear layer thickness and azimuthal velocity profiles drive the suppression of the shear layer receptivity to acoustic forcing.

Experimental study of physical mechanisms in the control of supersonic impinging jets using microjets

2008 ◽  
Vol 613 ◽  
pp. 55-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
FARRUKH S. ALVI ◽  
HUADONG LOU ◽  
CHIANG SHIH ◽  
RAJAN KUMAR
Keyword(s):  
Shear Layer ◽  
Nozzle Exit ◽  
Feedback Loop ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Impinging Jet ◽  
Impinging Jets ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Jet Flows ◽  
Streamwise Vorticity ◽  
Control Approach

Supersonic impinging jet(s) inherently produce a highly unsteady flow field. The occurrence of such flows leads to many adverse effects for short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft such as: a significant increase in the noise level, very high unsteady loads on nearby structures and an appreciable loss in lift during hover. In prior studies, we have demonstrated that arrays of microjets, appropriately placed near the nozzle exit, effectively disrupt the feedback loop inherent in impinging jet flows. In these studies, the effectiveness of the control was found to be strongly dependent on a number of geometric and flow parameters, such as the impingement plane distance, microjet orientation and jet operating conditions. In this paper, the effects of some of these parameters that appear to determine control efficiency are examined and some of the fundamental mechanisms behind this control approach are explored. Through comprehensive two- and three-component velocity (and vorticity) field measurements it has been clearly demonstrated that the activation of microjets leads to a local thickening of the jet shear layer, near the nozzle exit, making it more stable and less receptive to disturbances. Furthermore, microjets generate strong streamwise vorticity in the form of well-organized, counter-rotating vortex pairs. This increase in streamwise vorticity is concomitant with a reduction in the azimuthal vorticity of the primary jet. Based on these results and a simplified analysis of vorticity transport, it is suggested that the generation of these streamwise vortices is mainly a result of the redirection of the azimuthal vorticity by vorticity tilting and stretching mechanisms. The emergence of these longitudinal structures weakens the large-scale axisymmetric structures in the jet shear layer while introducing substantial three-dimensionality into the flow. Together, these factors lead to the attenuation of the feedback loop and a significant reduction of flow unsteadiness.

scholarly journals Studies of the Precessing Vortex Core in Swirling Flows

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M.O. Vigueras-Zuñiga ◽  
A. Valera-Medina ◽  
N. Syred
Keyword(s):  
Vortex Core ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Combustion Regime ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
High Speed Photography ◽  
Acoustic Oscillations ◽  
Lean Premixed Combustion ◽  
Precessing Vortex Core ◽  
Different Types

Large scale coherent structures play an important role in the behavior of the combustion regime inside any type ofcombustor stabilized by swirl, with special impact on factors such as flame stability, blow off, emissions and theoccurrence of thermo-acoustic oscillations. Lean premixed combustion is widely used and is known to impact many ofthese factors, causing complex interrelationships with any coherent structure formed. Despite the extensiveexperimentation in this matter, the above phenomena are poorly understood. Numerical simulations have been usedto try to explain the development of different regimes, but their extremely complex nature and lack of time dependentvalidation show varied and debatable results. The precessing vortex core (PVC) is a well-known coherent structurewhose development, intensity and occurrence has not been well documented. This paper thus adopts an experimentalapproach to characterize the PVC in a simple swirl burner under combustion conditions so as to reveal the effects ofswirl and other variables on the latter. Aided by a high speed photography (HSP) system, the recognition and extentof several different types of PVCs were observed and discussed.

Interaction Between Precessing Vortex Core and Thermoacoustic Coupling in a Lab-Scale Lean Premixed Gas Turbine Combustor: Numerical Simulation Studies

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenlin Wang ◽  
Xiangsheng Li ◽  
Zhenping Feng
Keyword(s):  
Vortex Core ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Pressure Oscillation ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Combustion Instabilities ◽  
Unsteady Combustion ◽  
Precessing Vortex Core ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Thermoacoustic Coupling

To evaluate the complex dynamic phenomena occurring during combustion, Large Eddy Simulations of the swirl-stabilized flame of PRECCINSTA burner were carried out. The existence of a precessing vortex core in the initial stage of unsteady combustion was proved, both in the cold flow and initial stage of the combustion. The PVC flow structure finally disappeared and became a flapping toroidal flowfield structure with the increase in the amplitude of pressure oscillation when combustion instabilities occurred. The LES results indicate the interactions between the PVC and thermoacoustic coupling and the underlying mechanism of the phenomenon. This study evaluated the effect of PVC on the thermoacoustic coupling in the initial stage of unsteady combustion and elucidated the mechanism for the disappearance of PVC under large-scale pressure oscillation. This has a great significance in the practical industrial applications of controlling combustion instabilities.

scholarly journals Coherent structures in a swirl injector at Re  = 4800 by nonlinear simulations and linear global modes

2016 ◽  
Vol 792 ◽  
pp. 620-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Tammisola ◽  
M. P. Juniper
Keyword(s):  
Shear Layer ◽  
Vortex Core ◽  
Eddy Viscosity ◽  
Vortex Breakdown ◽  
Turbulent Viscosity ◽  
Fuel Injector ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Turbulent Dissipation ◽  
Precessing Vortex Core ◽  
Global Modes

The large-scale coherent motions in a realistic swirl fuel-injector geometry are analysed by direct numerical simulations (DNS), proper orthogonal decomposition (POD), and linear global modes. The aim is to identify the origin of instability in this turbulent flow in a complex internal geometry. The flow field in the nonlinear simulation is highly turbulent, but with a distinguishable coherent structure: the precessing vortex core (a spiralling mode). The most energetic POD mode pair is identified as the precessing vortex core. By analysing the fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the time coefficients of the POD modes, we conclude that the first four POD modes contain the coherent fluctuations. The remaining POD modes (incoherent fluctuations) are used to form a turbulent viscosity field, using the Newtonian eddy model. The turbulence sets in from convective shear layer instabilities even before the nonlinear flow reaches the other end of the domain, indicating that equilibrium solutions of the Navier–Stokes are never observed. Linear global modes are computed around the mean flow from DNS, applying the turbulent viscosity extracted from POD modes. A slightly stable discrete $m=1$ eigenmode is found, well separated from the continuous spectrum, in very good agreement with the POD mode shape and frequency. The structural sensitivity of the precessing vortex core is located upstream of the central recirculation zone, identifying it as a spiral vortex breakdown instability in the nozzle. Furthermore, the structural sensitivity indicates that the dominant instability mechanism is the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability at the inflection point forming near vortex breakdown. Adjoint modes are strong in the shear layer along the whole extent of the nozzle, showing that the optimal initial condition for the global mode is localized in the shear layer. We analyse the qualitative influence of turbulent dissipation in the stability problem (eddy viscosity) on the eigenmodes by comparing them to eigenmodes computed without eddy viscosity. The results show that the eddy viscosity improves the complex frequency and shape of global modes around the fuel-injector mean flow, while a qualitative wavemaker position can be obtained with or without turbulent dissipation, in agreement with previous studies. This study shows how sensitivity analysis can identify which parts of the flow in a complex geometry need to be altered in order to change its hydrodynamic stability characteristics.

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