Generic Geometry Definition of the Aircraft Engine Combustion Chamber

Abstract

The type and layout of a particular gas turbine combustion chamber are largely determined by engine specifications and, peculiarly for the aircraft application, by the effort to use the available space as effectively as possible. Therefore, large commercial turbofan engine combustors exhibit a great degree of commonality. This commonality is a result of the similarity in working environment, size constraints and also safety, performance, and weight requirements. The objective of the present work is to propose generic relations between combustor overall performance and geometry, in order to develop accurate models for combustion quality and emission studies. Therefore, an algorithm has been developed to produce a generic combustion chamber layout. The algorithm is based on a set of empirical relations, semi-analytical methods, statistical figures and design philosophy. Results have been validated in a case study, showing accurate correspondence with modern turbofan engine combustors. An alternate application of the models may be preliminary sizing or design of aero-engine combustion chambers.