Numerical analysis of the dynamic flame response of a spray flame for aero-engine applications

Incoming standards on NOx emissions are motivating many aero-engine manufacturers to adopt the lean burn combustion concept. One of the most critical issues affecting this kind of technology is the occurrence of thermo-acoustic instabilities that may compromise combustor life and integrity. Therefore the prediction of the thermo-acoustic behaviour of the system becomes of primary importance. In this paper, the complex interaction between the system acoustics and a turbulent spray flame for aero-engine applications is numerically studied. The dynamic flame response is computed exploiting reactive URANS simulations and system identification techniques. Great attention has been devoted to the impact of liquid fuel evolution and droplet dynamics. For this purpose, the GE Avio PERM (partially evaporating and rapid mixing) lean injection system has been analysed, focussing attention on the effect of several modelling parameters on the combustion and on the predicted flame response. A frequency analysis has also...