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Numerical studies of flame stabilization relevant to gas turbine engines using methane and e-fuels
KTH, School of Engineering Sciences (SCI), Engineering Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics and Engineering Acoustics.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7244-5178
2021 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

The current society undergoes a global energy transformation from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The alternative energy sources to fossil fuels are key factors to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable energy system. Among those, electrofuels (e-fuels) is a promising group that remarkably benefits overall carbon neutrality. However, how to utilize the e-fuels remains challenging. Gas turbines are widely used to convert the chemical bond energy into mechanical power or electricity. In the fuel-lean swirling premixed combustion widely used in current gas turbine engines, issues such as flame instability and pollutant emissions hinder the use of e-fuels. The development of advanced combustion strategies befitting e-fuels is therefore of great importance. Among those, wet combustion is a promising one featuring elevated efficiency and low pollutant emissions. Swirling flame is a challenging topic due to the turbulence-chemistry in[1]teraction that governs its dynamics. Numerical simulation is a valuable tool which enables us to gain insight into the details of the physics and chemical kinetics. The present work focuses on the numerical investigation of wet flames using e-fuels, relevant to practical gas turbine applications. Real applications are typically characterised by more complex geometry, and thus a more compli[1]cated flow/flame dynamics. By means of Large Eddy Simulations with finite rate chemistry, the high turbulence flow field and flame structure are studied and validated by experimental data. The advanced post-processing tools such as Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) and Chemical Explosive Mode Analysis (CEMA) are performed to extract the featured information. The combination of different analysis methods enhance the understanding of swirling flame dynamics and its relation with flame stabilisation mechanism. The main contributions of this thesis to the field are highlighted as followed. First, an enhanced understanding on the coherent structure in the swirling flame/flow is achieved. In the swirling flow issued from the multi-jet LDI swirler, it is found that the global dynamics are governed by the single and double helical PVC, which is also harmonically associated with the distinctive connection between the outer recirculation zone and the central recirculation zone. In the PRECCINSTA burner, the helical vortex breakdown featured by the triple-helix modes plays an importance role in the combustion dynamics under the quiet conditions. Second, this thesis shows the feasibility of the wet combustion using efuels involving ammonia and methanol. The effect of fuel decomposition and steam addition on the flame characteristics and pollutant v emission are quantitatively studied. A deeper comprehension regarding the associated flame stabilisation mechanism and its coherence with flow dynamics is established. It is found that when flame is distributed, single helix PVC remains dominating the flow and flame dynamics while double helix modes appears due to the reactivity weakening. Meanwhile, autoignition becomes more dominant globally in the ignition process, accompanied by the emergence of high temperature reactions. The improved understandings are expected to guide novel and clean applications of e-fuels in gas turbine engines that are beneficial for the sustainable development of our society.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, 2021. , p. 167
Series
TRITA-SCI-FOU ; 2021:49
National Category
Energy Engineering
Research subject
Engineering Mechanics
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-304398ISBN: 978-91-8040-074-9 (print)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kth-304398DiVA, id: diva2:1608448
Public defence
2021-11-25, Room F3 and via Zoom:https://kth-se.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Tyh83O5jQaqKNV2M5YfTOQ, Lindstedstvägen 26, Stockholm, 10:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2021-11-10 Created: 2021-11-03 Last updated: 2022-06-25Bibliographically approved
List of papers
1. Vortex breakdown of the swirling flow in a Lean Direct Injection burner
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Vortex breakdown of the swirling flow in a Lean Direct Injection burner
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2020 (English)In: Physics of fluids, ISSN 1070-6631, E-ISSN 1089-7666, Vol. 32, no 12, article id 125118Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This paper presents a comprehensive study of the unsteady flow field in a new concept lean direct injection gas turbine burner, which aims at a clean and efficient combustion with application to sustainable aviation and pollution abatement. Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and planar particle image velocimetry are employed to capture the characteristics of the swirling flow issued from the multiple-jet swirler under both the confined and unconfined conditions. The results are compared, and good agreement shows the capability of LES in capturing the large-scale flow structures. The iso-contour of axial and swirl velocities shows that the swirling flow is featured by multiple jets. These jets interact with the central recirculation zone (CRZ) and reform it into a "starfish" shape. Under the effect of the confinement, the flow displays a larger spreading angle of the jets and an outer recirculation zone (ORZ). A distinctive connection between the CRZ and the ORZ is evidenced to occur through the channels between the multiple jets. The outward flow in the channels is identified to oscillate at a Strouhal number of 0.1. To characterize the evolution, the unsteady large-scale structures, proper orthogonal decomposition (POD), and spectra POD (SPOD) analyses are performed. It is found that a single helix and a double helix are manifestations of two independent global modes in the SPOD analysis. The former shares the same frequency with the outward flow, and the latter is solely affected by the confinement.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
AIP Publishing, 2020
National Category
Mechanical Engineering
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-289255 (URN)10.1063/5.0028838 (DOI)000602687500003 ()2-s2.0-85099199350 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20210201

Available from: 2021-02-01 Created: 2021-02-01 Last updated: 2025-04-24Bibliographically approved
2. Motion of the heat release fluctuations in a turbulentpremixed swirling flame
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Motion of the heat release fluctuations in a turbulentpremixed swirling flame
(English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
National Category
Energy Engineering
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-304390 (URN)
Note

QC 20211117

Available from: 2021-11-03 Created: 2021-11-03 Last updated: 2022-06-25Bibliographically approved
3. Investigation of wet ammonia combustion characteristics using LESwith finite-rate chemistry
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Investigation of wet ammonia combustion characteristics using LESwith finite-rate chemistry
(English)In: Article in journal (Refereed) Accepted
National Category
Energy Engineering
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-304392 (URN)
Note

QC 20211117

Available from: 2021-11-03 Created: 2021-11-03 Last updated: 2022-06-25Bibliographically approved
4. Characterization of distributed combustion of reformed methanolblends in a model gas turbine combustor
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Characterization of distributed combustion of reformed methanolblends in a model gas turbine combustor
(English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
National Category
Energy Engineering
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-304393 (URN)
Note

QC 20211117

Available from: 2021-11-03 Created: 2021-11-03 Last updated: 2022-06-25Bibliographically approved
5. Waste heat recovery optimization in micro gas turbineapplications using thermal reforming and humidified gasturbine cycle concepts
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Waste heat recovery optimization in micro gas turbineapplications using thermal reforming and humidified gasturbine cycle concepts
(English)Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
National Category
Energy Engineering
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-304396 (URN)
Note

QC 20211117

Available from: 2021-11-03 Created: 2021-11-03 Last updated: 2022-06-25Bibliographically approved

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