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Development and characterization of a variable turbulence generation system

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Abstract

Experimental turbulent combustion studies require systems that can simulate the turbulence intensities [u′/U 0 ~ 20–30% (Koutmos and McGuirk in Exp Fluids 7(5):344–354, 1989)] and operating conditions of real systems. Furthermore, it is important to have systems where turbulence intensity can be varied independently of mean flow velocity, as quantities such as turbulent flame speed and turbulent flame brush thickness exhibit complex and not yet fully understood dependencies upon both U 0 and u′. Finally, high pressure operation in a highly pre-heated environment requires systems that can be sealed, withstand high gas temperatures, and have remotely variable turbulence intensity that does not require system shut down and disassembly. This paper describes the development and characterization of a variable turbulence generation system for turbulent combustion studies. The system is capable of a wide range of turbulence intensities (10–30%) and turbulent Reynolds numbers (140–2,200) over a range of flow velocities. An important aspect of this system is the ability to vary the turbulence intensity remotely, without changing the mean flow velocity. This system is similar to the turbulence generators described by Videto and Santavicca (Combust Sci Technol 76(1):159–164, 1991) and Coppola and Gomez (Exp Therm Fluid Sci 33(7):1037–1048, 2009), where variable blockage ratio slots are located upstream of a contoured nozzle. Vortical structures from the slots impinge on the walls of the contoured nozzle to produce fine-scale turbulence. The flow field was characterized for two nozzle diameters using three-component Laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) and hotwire anemometry for mean flow velocities from 4 to 50 m/s. This paper describes the key design features of the system, as well as the variation of mean and RMS velocity, integral length scales, and spectra with nozzle diameter, flow velocity, and turbulence generator blockage ratio.

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Abbreviations

A :

Nozzle exit area

E :

Power spectral density

Re D :

Geometric Reynolds number

Re l :

Turbulent Reynolds number

S L :

Laminar flame speed

U(r):

Mean axial flow velocity

U 0 :

Spatially averaged flow velocity

U r(r):

Mean radial flow velocity

U θ(r):

Mean azimuthal component of flow velocity

l :

Characteristic longitudinal length scale

\( \dot{m} \) :

Mass flowrate

u′:

RMS of axial velocity fluctuations

\( u_{\text{tot}}^{\prime } \) :

Total turbulence intensity

u i :

Instantaneous axial velocity perturbation

v′:

RMS of radial velocity fluctuations

w′:

RMS of azimuthal component of velocity fluctuations

Δτ:

Time lag width for autocorrelation calculation

ν:

Kinematic viscosity

ρ:

Density

ρ(τ):

Autocorrelation coefficient

τ:

Lag time

τint :

Integral time scale

τmax :

Maximum lag time for autocorrelation calculation

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA

    A. Marshall

  2. School of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA

    P. Venkateswaran, D. Noble, J. Seitzman & T. Lieuwen

Authors
  1. A. Marshall
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  2. P. Venkateswaran
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  3. D. Noble
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  4. J. Seitzman
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  5. T. Lieuwen
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Correspondence to A. Marshall.

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Marshall, A., Venkateswaran, P., Noble, D. et al. Development and characterization of a variable turbulence generation system. Exp Fluids 51, 611–620 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-011-1082-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-011-1082-6

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