Principles of the ITS Ceramic Research Combustor Design: Segmented Flame Tube and Staged Combustion

Abstract

At the Institute for Thermal Turbomachinery in Karlsruhe a small research combustor was developed to investigate the applicability of high temperature loaded ceramic components under near ideal engine conditions. The design concept includes film evaporation of the liquid fuel and staged combustion with variable air supply. The combustor liner is segmented and consists of ceramic elements. For the prediction of the failure probability the newly developed fracture statistic code CERITS was used. The key features of the combustor and the test facility are described and preliminary experimental results of the first test phase are reported with emphasis on emission measurements and durability of the ceramic components. The determining parameters under consideration are thermal power, air/fuel ratio and the temperature of the preheated inlet air.