Characterization of the Inlet Combustion Air in NIST's Reference Spray Combustion Faciltiy: Effect of Vane Angle and Reynolds Number

Published

January 1, 2000

Author(s)

J F. Widmann, R Charagundla, Cary Presser

Abstract

The airflow through a 12-vane cascade swirl generator is examined numerically to characterize the inlet combustion air in the reference spray combustion facility at NIST. A three-dimensional model is used to simulate the aerodynamics in the swirl generator that imparts the desired degree of angular momentum to the air in the annulus leading into the reactor. A parametric study is presented in which the effects of the vane angle and Reynolds number are examined. Reynolds numbers ranging from 5,000 to 30,000, and vane angles ranging from 30o to 60o, are investigated. For a vane angle of 50o, which is the current operating condition of the swirl generator, a recirculation zone develops at the exit of the annulus for Reynolds number, Re 9500. The Renormalization Group method (RNG) k-e turbulence model is used to model the transport, production, and dissipation of turbulence due to its superior performance (relative to the standard k-e turbulence model) for this type of flow.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 6458

Report Number

6458

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Keywords

CFD, Fluid Mechanics, Numerical Anaylsis, RNG k-epsilon turbulence model, Swirl, Turbulence

Citation

Widmann, J. , Charagundla, R. and Presser, C. (2000), Characterization of the Inlet Combustion Air in NIST's Reference Spray Combustion Faciltiy: Effect of Vane Angle and Reynolds Number, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed December 10, 2024)