Combustion characteristics of a slotted swirl combustor: An experimental test and numerical validation

Combustion performance of a non-premixed combustor with a slotted swirler was experimentally and numerically investigated. The velocity and temperature profiles in the downstream of the swirler were measured in both cold-flow and combustion experiments. Concentration of CO2 emission was measured by utilizing a flue gas analyzer and the combustion efficiency was accordingly determined. The same experiments with a non-slotted swirler were repeated for comparison. The results show that, compared to the non-slotted swirler, the slotted swirler results in a larger recirculation zone, in which the flow velocity is smaller and the temperature is higher, implying the enhanced combustion performance. The combustion efficiency of the slotted swirler based on the measured CO2 emission is 75%, which is higher than 60% of the non-slotted swirler. These results suggest that the slotted swirler holds potential to enhance the combustion performance of gas turbine combustor and merits further, comprehensive studies.