Assessment of a radiative heat transfer model for a new gas turbine combustor preliminary design tool

Abstract

Preliminary gas turbine combustor design presents a challenging process of analytical analysis and rig testing. The objective of this work is the development of a versatile radiation model for an existing preliminary gas turbine combustor design tool, able to model all conceivable combustor types. A network approach forms the basis of the design solution algorithm, dividing the domain into a number of independent semi-empirical interconnected subsections. A pressure-correction scheme solves the continuity equation and a pressure-drop/flow-rate relationship. A full conjugate heat transfer analysis allows the calculation of flametube heat loss. Radiation represents the most difficult mode of heat transfer to simulate in the combustor environment. A discrete transfer radiation model is developed and validated for use within the network solver. The effect of the new radiation model on the prediction of liner wall temperature is evaluated in an annular gas turbine combustor. The importance of radial distributions of temperature and soot are evaluated by examining the flametube wall heat transfer mechanism.