Development of mesoscale burner arrays for next generation compact gas turbines

In this study, a multi-node mesoscale burner array for compact gas turbines was developed. The burner array was designed to improve the overall combustion stability by exploiting flame-to-flame interactions under fuel-lean operation. Moreover, its design can be adjusted by scaling the element dimensions or array size to flexibly accommodate a wide range of combustion power outputs. The combustion characteristics of the mesoscale burner array were experimentally investigated using several optical diagnostic and analysis techniques. Lean blow off limit, flame temperature, and NO emission measurements were performed on the mesoscale burner array; the obtained measurements were compared with those of a baseline single-swirl burner. Furthermore, various flame structures from the mesoscale burner array were visualized using OH and CH2O planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF). Next, a diffusion type mesoscale burner array was developed and investigated for small-scale combustion applications. Each burner element in the diffusion mesoscale burner array was equipped with its own fuel injection holes built into its swirl-inducing geometry to improve flame interactions and reduce flame length. The performance of the diffusion mesoscale flame array is comparable to that of a premixed mesoscale flame array under similar operating conditions despite fuel unpremixedness. Furthermore, the combustion experiments were extended for a liquid fuel (Jet A) and the results successfully demonstrated the potential for the integration of heavy hydrocarbon liquid fuels. The mesoscale burner array was investigated using pre-vaporized Jet A fuel. The effects of inlet temperature on Jet A flames in the mesoscale burner array were studied. Then, the flame characteristics of the Jet A and methane flames in the mesoscale burner array were compared. The results provide solid foundation for designing and operating small-scale combustors that are operated with heavy hydrocarbon fuels. Moreover, hydrogen addition effects on the burner array were studied to improve the flame stability and combustion dynamics because hydrogen enhancement can be a promising solution for small-scale combustion systems. In summary, this study demonstrates the potential for a novel combustor architecture that can be scaled across a wide range of power outputs with minimal performance degradation for next generation propulsion and power systems.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Choi, Jeongan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lee, Tonghun
• Matalon, Moshe
• Cai, Lili
• Panerai, Francesco

• Mesoscale
• Burner
• Compact combustor

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2021 Jeongan Choi

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113258

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/113258