Flame stabilization characteristics in the supersonic combustor based on a circular cross-section strut

Abstract

Flame stabilization characteristics in the supersonic combustor with a circular cross-section strut were experimentally investigated. The Mach number, stagnation pressure, and stagnation temperature of the inflow were 2.52, 1.60 MPa, and 1486 K, respectively. Compared to the wedge-shaped recirculation flow at the base of the rectangular cross-section strut, the conical recirculation flow at the base of the circular cross-section strut possessed a more favorable geometry characterized by a longer length, a larger volume, and a small surface. When fueled by hydrogen, the combustor equipped both with a circular cross-section strut and a rectangular cross-section strut could achieve self-sustaining combustion. In the tests with equivalence ratios of 0.08 and 0.12, the time-averaged flame chemiluminescence intensity in the combustor with a circular cross-section strut was higher than its counterpart in the combustor with a rectangular cross-section strut by 80% and 53%, respectively. Nevertheless, the standard deviations of the flame chemiluminescence intensities showed an opposite trend. Therefore, the reaction zone downstream of the circular cross-section strut was more vigorous and stable. When both kerosene and hydrogen were supplied to the combustor, these two struts failed to stabilize the flame. Although an unsteady hydrogen–kerosene flame was witnessed in the combustor, it extinguished within 2 ms because the recirculation flow at the base of the strut was too small. Shock wave generators were employed to enhance the flame stabilization ability of the strut with a circular cross section. The experimental results suggested that shock wave generators significantly enlarged the recirculation flow and created a region with high temperature and high pressure. The self-sustaining hydrogen–kerosene flame was achieved in the combustor equipped with shock wave generators.