skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Phase averaging of the precessing vortex core in a swirl burner under piloted and premixed combustion conditions

Journal Article · · Combustion and Flame
; ;  [1]
  1. Cardiff School of Engineering (United Kingdom)

The flow patterns produced in and past the exhaust of a 100-KW swirl burner have been investigated experimentally under piloted premixed combustion conditions. The well-known three-dimensional time-dependent instability called the precessing vortex core (PVC) dominates the flow and mixing patterns. The PVC and its associated cycle time were used to trigger a three-component laser anemometry system. Successive cycles were overlaid and phase averaged to give a three-dimensional picture of the rotating flow fields. Measurements were obtained over successive slices of the flow, extending to X/De = 2.5 past the burner exit. A description of the flow was thus obtained in terms of phase averaged tangential, axial and radial velocities in tangential/radial and axial/radial planes. The results confirm previous reported work on the same burner operated isothermally and show that the center of the vortex flow is displaced from the central axis of the burner, creating the PVC phenomena as the center of the vortex precesses around the central axis of symmetry. As a consequence of this displacement the reverse flow zone (RFZ) is also displaced, while also partially lagging behind the PVC by up to 180{degree}. The RFZ acts as a feedback mechanism for the PVC phenomena. As a consequence of the displaced vortex center, flow between the PVC center and the wall is squeezed. Thus, due to angular momentum flux consideration, it produces a considerable increase in tangential velocity and gives the characteristic PVC signal. The displaced RFZ is both rotating through a region of forward flow while also being of an intermittent nature, giving rise to the excellent flame stabilization and mixing characteristics of these types of burners. Similar results were obtained for isothermal and premixed combustion conditions providing the flame was stabilized close to the burner exit nozzle.

OSTI ID:
28058
Report Number(s):
CONF-940711-; ISSN 0010-2180; TRN: IM9516%%184
Journal Information:
Combustion and Flame, Vol. 100, Issue 3; Conference: 25. international symposium on combustion, Irvine, CA (United States), 31 Jul - 5 Aug 1994; Other Information: PBD: Feb 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Mixing and stabilization study of a partially premixed swirling flame using laser induced fluorescence
Journal Article · Sat Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 2011 · Combustion and Flame · OSTI ID:28058

Visualisation of isothermal large coherent structures in a swirl burner
Journal Article · Tue Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 2009 · Combustion and Flame · OSTI ID:28058

Near field flow structure of isothermal swirling flows and reacting non-premixed swirling flames
Journal Article · Sun Apr 15 00:00:00 EDT 2007 · Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science · OSTI ID:28058