Laser Induced Incandescence for Volume Fraction and Relative Particle Size Measurements in a Rich-Quench-Lean Jet A Combustor

Reducing the production of nonvolatile particulate matter, which is composed mostly of soot, is an important goal for modern aeroengine combustors. Not only does soot production reduce engine performance, but it also creates unwanted pollution. In order to understand soot production in realistic environments, this thesis focuses on the measurement of soot volume fraction and relative soot particle size distribution using laser-induced incandescence (LII) diagnostics inside a three-sector rich-quench-lean (RQL) aeroengine combustor running with Jet A fuel. First, the setup is described including details of the combustor, pressure vessel, data acquisition system, optics, and facilities. Then, the methodology for calibrating and estimating soot volume fraction with LII measurements and the theory for estimating relative soot particle sizes with time-resolved LII (TiRe-LII) diagnostics are explained. Finally, trends in 2D spatially resolved soot volume fraction and relative particle size distribution are explored across various pressures from 25 to 85 psig and global equivalence ratios from 0.1 to 0.2. Results show an increase in soot volume fraction with equivalence ratio and pressure. Soot incandescence decay times, which serve as a measure of relative soot particle sizes, does not appear to vary heavily with the pressure or equivalence ratio ranges studied in this work. Overall, this work helps to improve our understanding of soot production in practical RQL combustors in order to improve future aeroengine designs.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Department dc:contributor.department

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Georgia Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• McGrath, Russell

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Mazumdar, Ellen Y. C.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Steinberg, Adam
• Sun, Wenting

• Optical Diagnostics
• LII
• Laser-Induced Incandescence
• Soot
• nvPM
• RQL
• Rich Quench Lean
• Gas Turbine
• Combustion
• Particle Size
• Volume Fraction
• Jet Fuel
• Jet A
• Turbulent Flame Combustion

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1853/76851

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.gatech.edu:1853/76851