Evaluation of exit pattern factors of an annular aero gas turbine combustor at altitude off-design conditions

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents the experimental results of an annular combustor. A full scale full annular combustion chamber is tested at ground test stand simulating altitude off-design operating conditions. Traversing thermocouple rakes are used to measure temperatures over the entire annulus at combustor exit. The radial temperature profile is found to be a strong function of operating parameters while the circumferential pattern factor is within the design goal. Increase in reference Mach number at these off-design conditions has caused the redial temperature profiles to deviate and increase from the intended profile. These results will be used for benchmarking the computational model. The computational model will be used for detail study of the temperature non-uniformity over the entire flight envelope and also for modification of combustor liner for performance improvement.