Influence of Centre Body on the Dynamics of Isothermal Flow Swirl Combustor

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the shape of the centre body affects flow dynamics in an isothermal swirl combustor using CFD simulations, validated with experimental data and analyzed through spectral techniques.

Contribution

It introduces a computational approach to study the impact of centre-body geometry on flow unsteadiness in swirl combustors, validated against experimental data.

Findings

Centre-body shape significantly influences flow unsteadiness.

Spectral analysis reveals differences in flow coherence based on geometry.

CFD results align well with experimental velocity data.

Abstract

This study examines the effect of centre-body geometry on the dynamics of an isothermal, non-reacting swirl combustor through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Two different central body shapes were considered in a lab-scale combustor configuration, modelled as transient, incompressible flow using the SST k-omega turbulence model. The numerical model was validated against experimental velocity data from literature to ensure accuracy. Cross-spectral analysis techniques were employed to characterise the coherent dynamics of the flow, providing insight into the influence of geometry on unsteady swirl dynamics.