Simulation of Combustion Processes in an MHD Second Stage Combustor

Conference · Tue Jun 18 04:00:00 EDT 1991

OSTI ID:5668392

Lottes, S. A. ^[1]; Chang, S. L. ^[1]

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1. Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

Computer simulation is used to aid in the design of a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) second stage combustor. A two-dimensional steady state computer model, based on mass, momentum, and energy conservation laws for multiple gas species, is used to simulate the hydrodynamics and combustion in a second stage combustor in which opposed jets of oxidizer are injected into a confined cross-stream of hot gas/fuel mixture entering from the first stage. The model computes variable distributions (temperature, pressure, velocity, and species concentrations, etc.) in the combustor and predicts reacting flow heat release, mixing patterns, and combustion efficiency. The modeling aids in understanding the complex processes occurring within the combustor and helps in identification of optimum design parameters and operating conditions for the combustor to improve combustor operation and enhance downstream MHD generator performance. Results of the study indicate: (1) co-flow oxidizer jet injection (angle < 90 degrees) yields relatively poor mixing and combustion performance, (2) counter-flow injection (angle greater than 90 degrees) yields much better mixing and combustion performance, with an optimum injection angle in the range of 120 to 140 degrees, (3) the optimum injection angle intervals for combustion efficiency and uniformity of exit temperature profile are the same, and (4) the non-reacting flow optimum injection angle interval for jet/main flow mixing is a relatively good predictor of reacting flow combustor performance in terms of combustion efficiency and uniformity of combustor exit temperature profile.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 5668392
• Report Number(s): ANL/CP--72369; CONF-9106106--1; ON: DE91014014
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200104* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Components
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300103 -- MHD Generators-- Materials
Components
&amp; Auxiliaries
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
COMBUSTORS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DESIGN
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
JETS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MHD GENERATORS
MHD POWER PLANTS
MIXING
OXIDATION
POWER PLANTS
SIMULATION
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES