The Three Dimensional Structure of Swirl Stabilized Flames in a Lean Premixed Multinozzle Can Combustor

Abstract

Flame structure can have a significant effect on a combustor's static stability (resistance to blowoff) and dynamic stability (combustion instability) and therefore is an important aspect of the combustion process that must be taken into account in the design of gas turbine combustors. While the relationship between flame structure and flame stability has been studied extensively in singlenozzle combustors, relatively few studies have been conducted in multinozzle combustor configurations typical of actual gas turbine combustion systems. In this paper, a chemiluminescencebased tomographic reconstruction technique is used to obtain threedimensional images of the flame structure in a laboratoryscale fivenozzle can combustor. Analysis of the 3D images reveals features of the complex, threedimensional structure of this multinozzle flame. Effects of interacting swirling flows, flame–flame interactions, and flame–wall interactions on the flame structure are also discussed.