Mathematical modelling of turbulent combustion for gas turbines

Abstract

The paper reviews progress in the development of methods for calculating the properties of gas turbine combustion chambers, with particular attention being devoted to combustion and turbulence-combustion interactions. For conventional combustion chambers with non-premixed combustion it is argued that a conserved scalar approach, where burning is presumed to be ‘fast’, is capable of providing an accurate representation of heat-releasing processes. The approach can also be extended to include NO₂ formation, at least under conditions where it is formed under high-temperature conditions. However, if carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbon emissions or partially premixed combustion is to be considered, then a more complete description of combustion is needed and the probability density function (PDF) transport equation method here represents a promising approach. It is demonstrated that the method, when combined with a simple chemical reaction mechanism, is capable without modification of reproducing the major properties of non-premixed, partially premixed and premixed turbulent flames.

Keywords

mathematical modelling turbulent combustion gas turbines

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