Effects of fuel properties and atomization on ignition in a T63 turbine combustor. Interim report, June 1985-December 1987

Experiments were performed in a T63 gas-turbine combustor to gain a better understanding of the roles played by fuel properties, atomization, and air velocity and temperature in cold-start ignition. These results were used to improve the characteristic time model for ignition in gas turbine combustors. Ignition tests were performed on ten fuels while varying reference velocity, burner inlet temperature, fuel/air ratio, and the Sauter Mean Diameter of the fuel spray. Fuel viscosity and volatility were varied over a wide range. The test fuels ranged from gasoline to a heavy marine gas oil (HMGO). Two fuel groups were blended with identical viscosities, but with strikingly different 10% boil-off temperatures. To examine the effect of fuel composition on ignition, two fuels were blended with unusually high aromatic contents. Droplet size and spray structure were varied by using six atomizers.