Numerical analysis of the sensitivity of combustion flow characteristics to key parameters in constricted cavity-jet combustor
-
Pinghua Yan
Abstract
Modern aero-engine and gas-turbine development imposes ever-higher demands on combustor performance. Among various combustor designs, the trapped-vortex combustor (TVC) excels in flame stability and pollutant reduction, yet suffers from insufficient heat and mass transfer between the main flow and the cavity. To address this issue, a cavity-jet combined combustor is developed by introducing a cavity structure into the jet-stabilized combustor (JSC). The aim is to preserve vortex stabilization while significantly enhancing mass and energy transfer within the combustor. Building on previous work, this paper further investigates the effects of air jet angle on the combustion flow and NO emission characteristics of a combustor with a cavity through numerical analysis. The results show that in the constricted combustor configuration, as the jet angle increases, the high-temperature zone area in the combustor decreases, while the temperature magnitude and combustion efficiency increase. The minimum NO emission occurs at a jet angle of 30°.
-
Research ethics: Not applicable.
-
Informed consent: Not applicable.
-
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
-
Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
-
Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.
-
Research funding: This work was financially supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province (Grant No. 20224BAB214060), the Key Research Program of Jiangxi Province (Grant No. 20232BBE50005) and the Science Foundation of Jiangxi Educational Commission (Grant No. GJJ213009).
-
Data availability: Not applicable.
References
1. Ren, G, Sun, H, Xu, Y, Li, C. Effect of elevated pressure on gas-solid flow properties in a powder feeding system. Pol J Chem Technol 2022;24:41–52. https://doi.org/10.2478/pjct-2022-0021.Search in Google Scholar
2. Ren, G, Sun, H, Hu, C, Yang, Y, Li, C, Xu, Y, et al.. Historical trajectory, current status, and future challenges of powder engines and propellant supply technologies: a comprehensive review. Def Technol 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dt.2025.06.005. In press.Search in Google Scholar
3. Kumar, PKE, Kumar, P, Mishra, DP. Experimental investigation on the performance characteristics of a 2D trapped vortex combustor. P I Mech Eng G-j Aer 2016;230:1840–7. https://doi.org/10.1177/0954410015616410.Search in Google Scholar
4. Kumar, PKE, Mishra, DP. Flame stability characteristics of two-dimensional trapped vortex combustor. Combust Sci Technol 2016;188:1283–302. https://doi.org/10.1080/00102202.2016.1190343.Search in Google Scholar
5. Kumar, PKE, Mishra, DP. Combustion characteristics of a two-dimensional twin cavity trapped vortex combustor. J Eng Gas Turbines Power 2017;139:071504. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4035739.Search in Google Scholar
6. Jiang, B, He, X, Jin, Y, Wu, Z, Ding, G, Song, Y, et al.. Emission characteristics of a rich-quench-lean trapped-vortex combustor utilizing quenching device of orifice plate combined with bluff-body. J Propuls Technol 2016;37:675–83. https://doi.org/10.13675/j.cnki.tjjs.2016.04.011.Search in Google Scholar
7. Zhu, Y, Jin, Y, He, X. Effects of location and angle of primary injection on the cavity flow structure of a trapped vortex combustor model. Optik 2019;180:699–712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2018.11.107.Search in Google Scholar
8. Zeng, Z, Zhang, Y, Zhang, L. The effect of swirl on turbulence flow in trapped-vortex combustor. J Therm Sci Tech-jpn 2020;19:139–45. https://doi.org/10.13738/j.issn.1671-8097.018179.Search in Google Scholar
9. Zeng, Z, Liu, Y, Wang, H, Zhang, Y, Zhang, J. Flow and combustion performance analysison advanced trapped vortex combustor with turbulator. J Therm Sci Tech-jpn 2021;20:40–7. https://doi.org/10.13738/j.issn.1671-8097.019160.Search in Google Scholar
10. Jiang, P, He, X. Outlet temperature profile characteristics of mixed-flow trapped vortex combustor by pilot-fueling only. J Propuls Technol 2021;42:1303–11. https://doi.org/10.13675/j.cnki.tjjs.190876.Search in Google Scholar
11. Jiang, P, He, X. Performance of a novel mixed-flow trapped vortex combustor for turboshaft engine. Aero Sci Technol 2020:105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2020.106034 Search in Google Scholar
12. Jiang, P, He, X. Ignition characteristics of a novel mixed-flow trapped vortex combustor for turboshaft engine. Fuel 2020;261:116430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2019.116430.Search in Google Scholar
13. Zhao, Y, He, X, Xiao, J, Li, M. Effect of cavity-air injection mode on the performance of a trapped vortex combustor. Aero Sci Technol 2020;106:106183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2020.106183.Search in Google Scholar
14. Zhao, W, Fan, W, Zhang, R. Study on the effect of fuel injection on combustion performance and NOx emission of RQL trapped-vortex combustor. Energy Rep 2023;9:54–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2023.04.028.Search in Google Scholar
15. Sharifzadeh, R, Afshari, A. Large eddy simulation of swirling flows in a non-reacting trapped-vortex combustor. Aero Sci Technol 2022;127:107711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2022.107711.Search in Google Scholar
16. Zhang, Y, He, X, Wang, J, Zhang, F, Kang, Y. Ignition, lean blowout, and flame propagation in a combustor using flame holder with a trapped vortex cavity. Fuel 2022;324:124656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.124656.Search in Google Scholar
17. Xie, J, Zhu, Y. Characteristics study on a modified advanced vortex combustor. Energy 2020;193:116805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116805.Search in Google Scholar
18. Zeng, Z, Wang, H, Wang, Z. Analysis of cooling performance and combustion flow in advanced vortex combustor with guide vane. Aero Sci Technol 2018;72:542–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2017.11.027.Search in Google Scholar
19. Zeng, Z, Cheng, H, Wang, Z. Investigation of the flow and heat transfer characteristics in advanced vortex combustor. Int J Therm Sci 2020;156:106459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2020.106459.Search in Google Scholar
20. Chen, S, Zhao, D. Numerical study of guide vane effects on reacting flow characteristics in a trapped vortex combustor. Combust Sci Technol 2018;190:2111–33. https://doi.org/10.1080/00102202.2018.1492568.Search in Google Scholar
21. Roquemore, WM, Shouse, D, Burrus, D, Johnson, A, Cooper, C, Duncan, B, et al.. Trapped vortex combustor concept for gas turbine engines. USA: AIAA; 2001, 0483.10.2514/6.2001-483Search in Google Scholar
22. Agarwal, KK, Ravikrishna, RV. Experimental and numerical studies in a compact trapped vortex combustor: stability assessment and augmentation. Combust Sci Technol 2011;183:1308–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/00102202.2011.592516.Search in Google Scholar
23. Agarwal, KK, Krishna, S, Ravikrishna, RV. Mixing enhancement in a compact trapped vortex combustor. Combust Sci Technol 2013;185:363–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/00102202.2012.721034.Search in Google Scholar
24. Merlin, C, Domingo, P, Vervisch, L. Large eddy simulation of turbulent flames in a trapped vortex combustor (TVC) – a flamelet presumed-pdf closure preserving laminar flame speed. Cr Mecanique 2012;340:917–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crme.2012.10.039.Search in Google Scholar
25. Bauer, HJ, Eigenmann, L, Scherrer, B, Wittig, S. Local measurements in a three dimensional jet-stabilized model combustor. ASME Turbo Expo 1995:1–9. Paper No. 95-GT-71 https://doi.org/10.1115/95-gt-071.Search in Google Scholar
26. Kurreck, M, Willmann, M, Wittig, S. Prediction of the three-dimensional reacting two-phase flow within a jet-stabilized combustor. J Eng Gas Turbines Power 1998;120:77–83. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2818090.Search in Google Scholar
27. Zeinivand, H, Bazdidi-Tehrani, F. Influence of stabilizer jets on combustion characteristics and NOx emission in a jet-stabilized combustor. Appl Energ 2012;92:348–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.11.033.Search in Google Scholar
28. Jo, S, Kim, HY, Yoon, SS. Numerical investigation on the effects of inlet air temperature on spray combustion in a wall jet can combustor using the k-ε turbulence model. Numer Heat Tr A-appl 2008;54:1101–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/10407780802552179.Search in Google Scholar
29. Bazdidi-Tehrani, F, Zeinivand, H. Presumed PDF modeling of reactive two-phase flow in a three dimensional jet-stabilized model combustor. Energ Convers Manage 2010;51:225–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2009.09.020.Search in Google Scholar
30. Alemi, E, Zargarabadi, MR. Effects of jet characteristics on NO formation in a jet-stabilized combustor. Int J Therm Sci 2017;112:55–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2016.10.001.Search in Google Scholar
31. Yang, X, He, Z, Qiu, P, Dong, S, Tan, H. Numerical investigations on combustion and emission characteristics of a novel elliptical jet-stabilized model combustor. Energy 2019;170:1082–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.12.189.Search in Google Scholar
32. Sun, H, Yan, P, Tian, L, Xu, Y. Numerical simulation of inverse diffusion combustion and flow characteristics in a trapped vortex combustor. Int J Aeronaut Space 2021;22:625–37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42405-020-00335-x.Search in Google Scholar
33. Sun, H, Yan, P, Tian, L, Ren, G, Xu, Y, Sheng, Z, et al.. Effects of hydrogen multijet and flow rate assignment on the combustion flow characteristics in a jet-stabilized combustor. ACS Omega 2021;6:12952–64. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.0c05007.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
34. Ren, G, Sun, H, Tian, L, Xu, Y. Numerical study on the flow characteristics of jet-stabilized combustor with different configurations. J Projectiles Rockets Missiles Guid 2022;42:1–6+15. https://doi.org/10.15892/j.cnki.djzdxb.2022.02.001.Search in Google Scholar
35. Tian, L, Sun, H, Xu, Y, Jiang, P, Lu, H, Hu, X, et al.. Numerical analysis on combustion flow characteristics of jet-stabilized combustor with different geometry. Case Stud Therm Eng 2022;32:101885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2022.101885.Search in Google Scholar
36. Ren, G, Sun, H, Xu, Y, Li, C, Shen, W, Cai, Y, et al.. Effect of intake position on powder fluidization and conveying characteristics in powder supply device. Chem Eng Process 2023;183:109240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cep.2022.109240.Search in Google Scholar
© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
