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SOURCE: IDRW.ORG.

India’s aerospace research community has achieved a major milestone with the first detailed diagnostics of a single cup sector of a modern annular combustor. The experiment, linked to the Kaveri Engine Program, represents a pivotal advancement in understanding combustion dynamics and stability. This high-resolution diagnostics effort involves leading experts Prof. Saptarshi Basu, Dr. Pratikash Panda, and Prof. S. Chaudhuri. Their work is expected to significantly enhance India’s capabilities in developing efficient, stable, and low-emission combustors for aviation.

The experimental rig for this research is a to-scale 20º sector of an annular combustor designed to emulate the real operational conditions of a combustor used in the Kaveri engine. Notably, the combustor test rig has been equipped with optical access points in both the primary and exhaust zones, enabling a precise view of the combustion process. This optical access is essential for observing flame stability and flow characteristics in a high-speed environment.

The facility is equipped with compressed air supplies that can deliver up to 40 bar pressure and 6 kg/s flow rate for five minutes at 5 bar pressure. This setup allows testing at various pressure levels, simulating real-world operational demands on the combustor.

To capture the combustion phenomena in fine detail, the facility uses cutting-edge high-speed flow visualization technology, including sheet optics and minor cameras. A high-speed particle image velocimetry (PIV) system enables simultaneous diagnostics in the primary and exit zones of the combustor. This high-speed setup allows for tracking the flame and flow dynamics in real time, which is crucial for understanding the intricate combustion processes at play.

The diagnostics collect pressure data at multiple points across the combustor. By carefully monitoring these parameters, researchers can pinpoint conditions that lead to optimal combustion stability, as well as identify factors that may cause flame instability or excessive emissions.

The combustor sector undergoes testing under controlled conditions to simulate various operational scenarios. The experiment allows for:

  • Inlet pressures ranging from 1 to 20 bar
  • Air mass flow rates from 0.1 to 0.5 kg/s
  • Equivalence ratios (air-to-fuel ratios) between 0.17 and 0.37, allowing researchers to test lean and rich fuel-air mixtures

This configuration allows researchers to analyze combustion across different pressure and fuel conditions. With its capability to sustain a stable lean flame, the combustor setup is versatile and can support tests with various fuel types, offering a broader understanding of fuel flexibility and efficiency.

This state-of-the-art experimental setup opens avenues for enhancing low-emission combustion technology, particularly suited for aviation and aerospace applications. Insights from these diagnostics can guide improvements in the Kaveri engine’s combustion stability, efficiency, and emissions, potentially increasing its viability as a core powerplant for future indigenous aircraft.

The research is expected to inform further design iterations, not only for the Kaveri engine but also for other advanced combustors that require fuel flexibility and low-emission performance. By developing expertise in annular combustor diagnostics and leveraging the data gathered, India can advance its propulsion technologies, making strides toward cleaner and more efficient aviation engines.

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