Fuel injector and two-phase flows

Gas turbine fuel injection is a notoriously challenging problem with large scale mixing induced by poorly understood aerodynamic phenomenon, and two-phase fluid mechanics, all occurring within a highly turbulent swirling environment.

Fuel injector research in the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ UTC spans a broad spectrum ranging from fundamental to more focused research reflecting the close integration between the University and Rolls-Royce. The UTC approach is to simultaneously develop numerical and experimental techniques and to apply these techniques in as representative an environment as is practicable. This includes:

  • 2D and 3D PIV measurements of the flow field downstream of various injectors,
  • Refractive index matched PIV to measure the fuel injector internal airflow,
  • PDA and PLIF to measure droplet size and fuel distribution,
  • Establishing best practice RANS, uRANS and LES CFD methods, and
  • Development of multiphase CFD capability including primary and secondary break-up