Keywords
Combustion Dynamics, Forced Flames, Acoustic Impedance, Non-Premixed Flames, Swirl Stabilized Flames
Abstract
The prevalence of gas turbines operating in primarily lean premixed modes is predicated on the need for lower emissions and increased efficiency. An enhancement in the mixing process through the introduction of swirl in the combustion reactants is also necessary for flame stabilization. The resulting lean swirling flames are often characterized by a susceptibility to feedback between velocity, pressure and heat release perturbations with a potential for unstable self-amplifying dynamics. The existing literature on combustion dynamics is predominantly dedicated to premixed flame configurations motivated by power generation and propulsive gas turbine applications. In the present research effort, an investigation into the response of atmospheric, non-premixed swirling flames to acoustic perturbations at various frequencies (fp = 0-315Hz) and swirl intensities (S=0.09 and S=0.34) is carried out. The primary objective of the research effort is to broaden the scope of fundamental understanding in flame dynamics in the literature to include non-premixed swirling flames. Applications of the research effort include control strategies to mitigate the occurrence of thermoacoustic instabilities in future power generation gas turbines. Flame heat release is quantitatively measured using a photomultiplier with a 430nm bandpass filter for observing CH* chemiluminescence which is simultaneously imaged with a phase-locked CCD camera. Acoustic perturbations are generated with a loudspeaker at the base of an atmospheric co-flow burner with resulting velocity oscillation amplitudes, u'/Uavg in the 0.03-0.30 range. The dependence of flame dynamics on the relative richness of the flame is investigated by studying various constant fuel flow rate flame configurations. The effect of varying fuel flow rates on the flame response is also examined using with dynamic time-dependent fuel supply rates over the data acquisition period. The Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) method is used to study the isothermal flow field associated with acoustic pulsing. The acoustic impedance, wavelet analysis, Rayleigh criteria and phase conditioning methods are used to identify fundamental mechanisms common to highly responsive flame configurations.
Notes
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Graduation Date
2010
Advisor
Basu, Saptarshi
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
College
College of Engineering and Computer Science
Department
Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering
Degree Program
Mechanical Engineering
Format
application/pdf
Identifier
CFE0003186
URL
http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0003186
Language
English
Release Date
August 2010
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Access Status
Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)
STARS Citation
Idahosa, Uyi, "Combustion Dynamics And Fluid Mechanics In Acoustically Perturbed Non-premixed Swirl-stabilized Flames." (2010). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4268.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/4268