Date of Award

9-2006

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

First Advisor

Ralph A. Anthenien Jr., PhD

Abstract

An improved computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed for numerical simulation of the Ultra Compact Combustor (UCC) concept to enhance turbulent flow characterization of the circumferentially traveling, centrifugal-force enhanced combustion, cavity flow into the engine main flow passage via a radial cavity in the turbine axial guide vanes. The CFD model uses a dense grid on a 60° periodic, axisymmetric combustor section, with the RNG κ-ε turbulence model to resolve turbulent flow details. An overall analysis and performance evaluation of the experimentally tested UCC configuration and an axially shortened cavity baseline configuration was conducted at various experimentally documented operating conditions. This CFD model is then applied in designing two sector test rigs to simulate a portion of the UCC flow to allow optical access to the cavity-vane flow interaction, an area inaccessible on a full test rig. The design steps include a 2-D planar, periodic model eliminating centrifugal-force effects and the design of two non-periodic test sections with an extended cavity simulating mass entrainment before interacting with the cavity-vane and main flow. The planar and curved sector rigs were evaluated and cavity flow parameters analyzed at experimental and atmospheric conditions for comparison with the 3-D baseline configuration.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GAE-ENY-06-S07

DTIC Accession Number

ADA456932

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