A Semi-Analytical Emission Model for Diffusion Flame, Rich/Lean and Premixed Lean Combustors

Abstract

To enhance gas turbine combustor performance and emissions characteristics, better design methods need to be developed. In the present investigation, an emission model that simulates a detailed chemical kinetic scheme has been developed to provide the rate of reactions of the parent fuel, an intermediate hydrocarbon compound, CO, and H2 . The intermediate fuel has variable carbon and hydrogen contents depending on operating conditions, that were selected in the development effort to simulate actual operation of rich/lean, diffusion flame, and lean combustor concepts. The developed reaction rate expressions address also the limited reaction rates that may occur in the near-wall regions of the combustor due to the admittance of radial air jets and cooling air in these regions. The validation effort included the application of the developed model to a combustor simulated by a multiple-reactor arrangement. The results indicate the accurate duplication of the calculations obtained from the detailed kinetic scheme using the developed model. This illustrates the great potential of using such a unified approach to guide the design of various types of combustor to meet the more stringent approach to guide the design of various types of combustor to meet the more stringent emissions and performance requirements of next-generation gas turbine engines.