The 3-D Structure of Swirl-Stabilized Flames in a Lean Premixed Multi-Nozzle Can Combustor

Flame structure is an important aspect of the combustion process which must be considered in the design of gas turbine combustors as it can have a significant effect on the combustor’s static stability (blowoff) and dynamic stability (combustion instability). The relationship between flame structure and flame stability has been studied extensively in single-nozzle combustors. However, relatively few studies have been conducted in multi-nozzle combustor configurations typical of actual gas turbine combustion systems. In this paper, a chemiluminescence-based tomographic reconstruction technique is used to obtain three-dimensional images of the flame structure in a laboratory-scale five-nozzle can combustor. The images reveal the complex three-dimensional structure of this multi-nozzle flame, as well as, the effects of interacting swirling flows, flame-flame interactions and flame-wall interactions on flame structure.