Large-Eddy Simulation of Ignition and Flame Propagation in a Trisector Combustor

Understanding ignition and flame propagation in multisector combustors is critical for aeronautical gas turbine manufacturers. To study this problem, large-eddy simulations using an Euler–Euler approach for sprays were performed in a trisector configuration. The sensitivity of the simulation to the injection diameter, the energy input to the mixture, and the time of fueling were assessed. The flame structure following ignition was shown to be complex and time dependent. The flame propagation through the chamber was analyzed using a formulation for the velocity of isosurfaces of temperature, showing that it was dominated by the gas velocity. In particular, both the swirling flow issuing from the injectors and the dilatation effect that modifies the gas flow aid the flame propagation through the chamber.