Enhanced Ultra Compact Combustion Using Electrostatic Charging

CFD Research has demonstrated improved atomization, mixing control and lower emissions using an electrostatic charged air-blast fuel injector retrofitable within the RR501-K U.S. Navy Shipboard gas turbine engine. Without altering current configurations electrostatic fuel injection and combustion charging could further reduce emissions, improve stability, enhance ignition and/or tailor thermal profiles in recent AFRL ultra compact combustor chamber designs. Specific milestones to be achieved during Phase I include: (a) Effective electrostatic charging of JP8 fuel using injector configurations and flow rates under consideration in current AFRL ultra-compact combustor configurations. (b) Ambient test and evaluation of charged and uncharged ultra-compact high swirl combustion in a circumferential cavity. Measurements of gaseous emissions, stability and ignition will be completed. (c) Numerical prediction of the secondary atomization and vaporization advantages electrostatic fuel injection and chamber charging has in selected ultra-compact and inter-turbine combustor configurations. During Phase II CFDRC will integrate electrostatic fuel injection and combustion chamber charging into a VAATE platform to demonstrate precision controlled combustion performance enhancements at full-scale conditions. General Electric, AADC, Pratt & Whitney and/or Honeywell will all be considered as Phase II rig test partners.