Measurements of turbulence statistics and energy budgets in a model combustor

  • Saad A. Ahmed*
  • , Kamorudeen B. Abidogun
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Simultaneous two-component laser-Doppler-velocimeter measurements were made in an axisymmetric sudden expansion to measure the flow properties of a confined, isothermal flow-field of a research dump combustor. Measurements of mean velocities, Reynolds stresses, and triple products were carried out at axial distances ranging from 0.38H (H = step height) to 18H downstream of the dump plane. Detailed experimental data are provided to help in understanding the behavior of turbulent transport characteristics of the confined shear layer. Data from this study could be used to upgrade or evaluate advanced numerical codes used to predict complex turbulent flows. The turbulent kinetic energy terms (i.e. convection, diffusion, and production terms) were computed directly from the experimental data using central differences, while the viscous dissipation term was obtained from the energy balance equation. Detailed comparison of the present data with similar work shows that the general behavior of the flow-field and energy budget results are in excellent agreement. The shear-layer flow created by sudden expansion enhances combustor performance by serving as a turbulence generator mechanism.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)741-752
Number of pages12
JournalEnergy
Volume23
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1998

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This investigation was performed at the Aero-propulsion and Power Directorate (WL/POPT) while the first author S. Ahmed was employed at the Wright Laboratory. S. Ahmed wishes to acknowledge financial support from AFOSR and permission from KFUPM to utilize various facilities needed in the preparation of the paper.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction
  • Pollution
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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