Backward-Inclined Diffusion Jet Flames in Crossflow at Low Jet-to-Crossflow Momentum Flux Ratios

Abstract

In the design of gas turbine combustors, efforts are engineered toward reducing the combustion pollutant emission levels. The pollutant emissions can be reduced by premixing the fuel and the air prior to ignition. However, the main challenges encountered with premixing are flame flashback and blowout, thus, the preference of diffusion flames. In this study, flame behavior, flow patterns, and thermochemical fields of backward-inclined diffusion jet flames in crossflow at low jet-to-crossflow momentum flux ratio of smaller than 0.04 were studied in a wind tunnel. The backward-inclination angle was varied within 0–50 deg. The flames presented three characteristic modes: crossflow dominated flame (low backward inclination angle) denoted by a large down-washed recirculation flame, transitional flame (mediate backward inclination angle) identified by a recirculation flame and a tail flame, and jet dominated flame (high backward inclination angle) characterized by a blue flame base, a yellow tail flame, and the absence of a recirculation flame. Short flames are detected in the regime of the crossflow dominated flames—an indication of improved fuel–air mixing. The findings suggest that for low exhaust emissions which are vigorously pursued in the aviation and thermal power plant industries, especially during low-load operations, the jet dominated flames are the preferable flames as they generate low unburned hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, and nitric oxide emissions compared to the other flames.