The CIVIC—A Concept in Vortex Induced Combustion, Part II

Abstract

Turbomach, A Division of Solar Turbines International, An Operating Group of International Harvester, manufactures the small 10kW Gemini gas turbine. The very small size of the combustor precluded the use of conventional gas turbine combustor design techniques. A novel solution was arrived at based primarily on an amalgam of design practices used in furnaces and reciprocating engines. Use was made of the centrifugal force effects of swirl flow (Rayleigh Instability Criteria) both as a method of fuel evaporation and as a method of control of the rate of flame propagation. Substantial advantage can be obtained by this design technique provided that a fine and accurately located fuel spray is achieved. Various applications of this method of combustor design are outlined with emphasis on aerodynamics and fuel atomization and volatility rather than reaction rate criteria as the dominant influences.