Performance evaluation and outlet load improvement of a rotating detonation combustor with different outlet nozzles

Abstract

Outlet nozzles for a rotating detonation combustor were designed to meet a downstream turbine and reduce the high pressure and heat load caused by the oblique shock wave at the outlet. The effects of the rotating detonation combustor with two types of outlet nozzles were studied, and the performance and outlet parameters of the combustor were measured at an elevated chamber pressure and preheating temperature based on gas turbine conditions. The results showed that the outlet nozzles could cause changes in the wave collisions and folding of the weak flame front in the detonation formation process, but the basic propagation process was similar to that without a nozzle. The pressure ratio changed from 1.427 in the original model to 1.392 and 1.304 with the two types of outlet nozzles. Meanwhile, the outlet load was greatly improved. The peak values of the static temperature at the outlet dropped by 22.423% and 27.572% with the two types of outlet nozzles compared to the original model. In addition, the peak static pressures dropped by 75.737% and 83.722%, respectively. In addition, the outlet nozzles significantly reduced the unevenness of the outlet static temperature and static pressure distributions. This created a better outlet operating environment, thereby improving the performance of the rotating detonation combustor.