Numerical Simulation of a Vortex Combustor Based on Aluminum and Steam

Xianhe Chen, Zhixun Xia, Liya Huang and Likun Ma
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Xianhe Chen: Science and Technology on Scramjet Laboratory, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China
Zhixun Xia: Science and Technology on Scramjet Laboratory, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China
Liya Huang: Department of Aerospace Science and Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China
Likun Ma: Science and Technology on Scramjet Laboratory, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China

Energies, 2016, vol. 9, issue 12, 1-16

Abstract: In this paper we report a new development in the numerical model for aluminum-steam combustion. This model is based on the diffusion flame of the continuum regime and the thermal equilibrium between the particle and the flow field, which can be used to calculate the aluminum particle combustion model for two phase calculation conditions. The model prediction is in agreement with the experimental data. A new type of vortex combustor is proposed to increase the efficiency of the combustion of aluminum and steam, and the mathematical model of the two phase reacting flow in this combustor is established. The turbulence effects are modeled using the Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) with Linear Pressure-Strain approach, and the Eddy-Dissipation model is used to simulate the gas phase combustion. Aluminum particles are injected into the vortex combustor, forming a swirling flow around the chamber, whose trajectories are traced using the Discrete Phase Model (DPM). The simulation results show that the vortex combustor can achieve highly efficient combustion of aluminum and steam. The influencing factors, such as the eccentric distance of the inlet of aluminum particles, particle size and steam inlet diameter, etc., are studied.

Keywords: aluminum particle; steam; vortex combustor; diffusion flame; numerical simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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