Advanced Liquid Surface Tracking Software for Predicting Atomization in Gas Turbine Combustors and Augmentors

The atomization of liquid fuels is a key process in gas turbine engines and augmentors, directly influencing combustion and thus engine performance. While adequate models exist for the secondary atomization, the crucial initial breakup is not well understood and predictive numerical simulation tools to analyze the process in detail do not exist. In this project, we propose to apply the recently developed Refined Level Set Grid (RLSG) to the primary atomization problem. This method, in a detached code, resolves and tracks all relevant phase interface length scales on a separate, locally refined grid. The RLSG code is coupled to the flow solver via a multi-code coupling environment, thereby ensuring easy portability and expandability. The resulting software package has been successfully applied to several two-phase flow benchmarks. In the project’s initial phase, we have accessed the capability of the proposed software framework to predict the atomization of liquid jets in cross-flow under conditions relevant to gas turbines. In the next phase, the capability will be enhanced to include more complicated atomizer geometries as well as evaporation and phase change relevant to operating conditions of augmentors In conjunction with leading military engine manufacture, and by using relevant experimental data in the near- and far-field, the codes and the methodology will be validated. Another possible outcome of the proposed work is derivation of appropriate sub-grid models in the context of Large Eddy Simulation of primary atomization.