Experimental and Numerical Study on the Effect of Annular Combustor Design on Thermal Uniformity Jet in Crossflow

Abstract

Non-uniformity of the exit flow temperature represents one of the significant damages to gas-turbine components, particularly turbine blades. This may occur in the course of gas-turbine operation. This paper aims to provide passive techniques by modifying the combustor design rather than changing the flow parameters to improve the thermal uniformity and turbine blades to reduce thermal stresses and increase turbine blades’ life span. An acceptable agreement between the numerical and experimental results has been achieved, and the agreement includes the velocity and temperature profile. Four different angles have been tested numerically and experimentally with a maximum error of 5% at two different Reynolds numbers. Designing the outer combustor surface with a 45-deg angle bend can give a more uniform temperature distribution of 37% higher than the basic design with only a 0.5% higher pressure drop.