Soot Formation and Its Effect in an Aero Gas Turbine Combustor

Abstract

Abstract Soot formation and the effect of soot deposit on the performance and integrity on an aero gas turbine combustor has been studied. Defective atomizer or blockage of air passages creates a fuel rich mixture which promotes soot formation in combustor primary zone. The temperature field and soot concentration inside the liner has been analyzed at high equivalence ratio using computational model in CFX. The peak temperature in primary zone increases till equivalence ratio reaches ϕ=1.1. But at high equivalence ratio, i. e., ϕ≥1.2, the peak temperature in primary zone decreases and that in dilution zone increases. Soot concentration increases at liner front end as well as in dilution zone when equivalence ratio increases from 1.25 to 3.0. Erosion and distortion of atomizer flow passages cause higher spray cone angle which again increases the soot concentration. Soot deposit inside liner has detrimental effect on the life and performance of the combustor as well as of the aero engine.