Flow Dynamics in a Multiswirler Model Combustor Based on Large Eddy Simulation and Proper Orthogonal Decomposition Analysis

Abstract

Abstract Swirling flow is often employed in gas turbine combustion chambers for the sake of improving flame stability. Swirling flow induces not only recirculation zones but also large coherent structures, which show close relationship with flow dynamics and combustion instability. The flow dynamics including precessing vortex core (PVC) in simple swirlers is extensively studied, while the flow instability characteristics in a multiswirler combustor are not fully reported. In this paper, large eddy simulation (LES) of nonreacting turbulent swirling flow is conducted in a multiswirler burner, which comprises a pilot stage and a main stage. Flow dynamics in the multiswirler combustor are analyzed based on phase-averaged evolution of instantaneous flowfield. LES results are compared with particle image velocimetry (PIV) data in terms of mean and root mean square (RMS) velocities. Proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is employed to identify the coherent structures in the multiswirling flow. Results show that LES results are in good agreement with particle image velocimetry (PIV) data. Main stage and pilot stage flow interact with each other generating highly turbulent swirling flow. PVC is successfully captured at the boundary of main recirculation zone (MRZ) in the pilot stage with a dominant frequency of 1915 Hz. The PVC leads to periodic azimuthal flow instability. POD analyses for the velocity fields show dominant high-frequency modes (modes 1 and 2) in the pilot stage. However, the dominant energetic flow is damped rapidly downstream of the pilot stage that it has little effect on the main stage flow.