Measurement of velocity field and combustion dynamics in a high-pressure aerospace gas turbine combustor using laser and optical diagnostics

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The proposed Collaborative Research & Development (CRD) project is a joint effort between the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) Experimental Engines (E2) Laboratory, GE Aviation Canada, and the GE Global Research Center (GRC), in which advanced laser- and optical-based measurement techniques will be applied to determine the flow and heat release dynamics occurring inside of a next-generation aeronautical gas turbine combustor. Experiments will be performed both at the E2 lab and at a unique test facility at GE GRC. This represents the direct application of measurement techniques developed in the E2 Lab to a practical research combustor operating at flight-relevant conditions. Gas turbine combustors are very difficult to design using physically-grounded scientific principles; considerable heuristic knowledge and extensive testing are required in combustor development, even for evolutionary improvements. This largely is due to a lack of experimental information on how design choices affect the velocity field, heat release field, and their interaction. This experiment therefore will produce critical data needed to produce innovative combustor designs and to validate the results of engineering computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Furthermore, the project will generate improvements to the measurement and post-processing techniques themselves, increasing the fidelity of subsequent research programs. The overarching practical goal of this research is to reduce emissions from aviation engines. The combustion architecture to be investigated is specifically designed to produce extremely low NOx and carbonaceous particulate matter emissions. These substances are the most harmful pollutants produced by combustion engines, being responsible for vast majority of sub-2.5 µm particulates (PM2.5). By enabling novel combustion systems that drastically reduce such particulates, the proposed research will significantly improve the air quality in the vicinity of airports. Such improvements will be particularly beneficial to large airports, airports located in city centres, and airports in sensitive northern ecosystems.