A frequently employed method for aerodynamic flame stabilization in modern premixed low emission combustors is the breakdown of swirling flows; with carefully optimized tailoring of the swirler, a sudden transition in the flow field in the combustor can be achieved. A central recirculation zone evolves at the cross-sectional area change located at the entrance of the combustion chamber and anchors the flame in a fixed position. In general, premixed combustion in swirling flows can lead to flame flashback that is caused by combustion induced vortex breakdown near the centerline of the flow. In this case, the recirculation zone suddenly moves upstream and stabilizes in the premix zone (Kröner , 2007, “Flame Propagation in Swirling Flows—Effect of Local Extinction on the Combustion Induced Vortex Breakdown,” Combust. Sci. Technol., 179, pp. 1385–1416). This type of flame flashback is caused by a strong interaction between the flame chemistry and vortex dynamics. The analysis of the vorticity transport equation shows that the axial gradient of the azimuthal vorticity is of particular importance for flame stability. A negative azimuthal vorticity gradient decelerates the core flow and finally causes vortex breakdown. Based on fundamental fluid mechanics, guidelines for a proper aerodynamic design of gas turbine combustors are given. These guidelines summarize the experience from several previous aerodynamic and combustion studies of the authors.
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October 2011
Research Papers
Optimization of the Aerodynamic Flame Stabilization for Fuel Flexible Gas Turbine Premix Burners
Stephan Burmberger,
Stephan Burmberger
Lehrstuhl für Thermodynamik,
e-mail: stephan@burmberger.com
Technische Universität München
, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748 Garching, Germany
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Thomas Sattelmayer
Thomas Sattelmayer
Lehrstuhl für Thermodynamik,
Technische Universität München
, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748 Garching, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
Stephan Burmberger
Lehrstuhl für Thermodynamik,
Technische Universität München
, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748 Garching, Germanye-mail: stephan@burmberger.com
Thomas Sattelmayer
Lehrstuhl für Thermodynamik,
Technische Universität München
, Boltzmannstraße 15, 85748 Garching, GermanyJ. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Oct 2011, 133(10): 101501 (10 pages)
Published Online: April 25, 2011
Article history
Received:
May 10, 2010
Revised:
December 2, 2010
Online:
April 25, 2011
Published:
April 25, 2011
Citation
Burmberger, S., and Sattelmayer, T. (April 25, 2011). "Optimization of the Aerodynamic Flame Stabilization for Fuel Flexible Gas Turbine Premix Burners." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. October 2011; 133(10): 101501. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4003164
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