Advanced Combustor Designs Utilizing Inlet Swirl for High Acceleration of Gravity (G) Combustion

Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc. is working to become a first-tier supplier of small gas turbines for military and commercial use. In this effort FTT will study concepts for a modified “high-g” combustor concept for ultra-low-volume, highly capable engine systems. Key features of this system will include ultra-low volume, high external and internal swirl. Concept development would be focused on extension of FTT’s existing miniature combustors to allow scale-up to larger engines. FTT would limit its main effort to smaller engine sizes (typically with radial compressor stages) which fit within FTT’s overall business strategy: to develop engines for UAV and missile airframes. Goals for the combustor concept include 1) stable operation at high combustor loadings, 2) maximum use of swirl from the compressor at the same, or lower, system pressure loss as today’s miniature combustors and 3) scalability to larger engines. At the end of the program, FTT’s goal is to have a solid design concept that can be put into hardware and tested at its on-site test facility. The hardware would be small in size so it remains compatible with FTT’s existing military engine development efforts