Effect of a Diffuser on Conditioning Flow Field Fluctuations at the Exit of a Rotating Detonation Combustor
- University of Alabama
Pressure gain combustion (PGC) seeks to convert fuel’s chemical energy simultaneously into thermal energy and mechanical energy, thereby reducing the entropy production in the process. Recent research has shown that the rotating detonation combustion or combustor (RDC) can provide excellent specific thrust, specific impulse, and large pressure gain through rapid energy release by continuous detonation in the circumferential direction. In this study, we present experimental results from RDC operated on methane and oxygen-enriched air to represent reactants used in gas turbines for land-based power generation. A thorough understanding of the velocity flow field exiting the combustor is important to develop future rotating detonation engine (RDE) designs, as well as to successfully implement the flow conditioning devices to power generating turbine hardware located downstream. The RDC is operated at high pressures in two ways through this study: 1) placing a back-pressure plate (BPP) downstream of the annular combustor, and 2) placing a diffuser downstream of the annular combustor. Time-resolved particle image velocimetry (TR-PIV) is applied at a frame rate of 50 kHz to quantify the RDC exit flow. A qualitative analysis is presented with vector data obtain from experimental testing. Results show that for the BPP configuration the highly periodic exit flow tilts in the azimuthal direction, indicating a significant circumferential velocity component. For the diffuser configuration the flow is dominantly axial, with an insignificant circumferential velocity component. The flow field undergoes cyclic fluctuations with the BPP, but not so with the diffuser. Results also show the challenges associated with achieving uniform seed distribution in this highly transient and rapidly changing flow field.
- Research Organization:
- Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE)
- Contributing Organization:
- Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc.
- DOE Contract Number:
- FE0023983
- OSTI ID:
- 1817678
- Report Number(s):
- DOE-AR-3983-1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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