Experimental Investigation of Airflow Distribution for a Novel Combustor Mode

Abstract

This paper investigated the airflow distribution performance of the combustor which utilized trapped vortex in the cavity to improve the flame stability. Hole-filling method was used to study trapped vortex combustor airflow distribution at normal temperature and pressure condition. The influence of inlet velocity and mainstream flow-passage height were investigated. The results show that, inlet velocity hardly impacts the airflow distribution of trapped vortex combustor, but chamber height is a key parameter for airflow distribution. The size, number and opening area of the holes in trapped vortex combustor are important to airflow distribution, and increasing cavity back body air flow could bring well lean blowout limit. The research results may serve as a useful reference in further development and engineering application of trapped vortex combustor.