WIDE RANGE OPERATION OF ADVANCED LOW NOX COMBUSTORS FOR SUPERSONIC HIGH-ALTITUDE AIRCRAFT GAS TURBINES

An initial rig program tested the Jet Induced Circulation (JIC) and Vortex Air Blast (VAB) systems in small can combustor configurations for NOx emissions at a simulated high altitude, supersonic cruise condition. The VAB combustor demonstrated the capability of meeting the NOx goal of 1.0 g NO2/kg fuel at the cruise condition. In addition, the program served to demonstrate the limited low-emissions range available from the lean, premixed combustor. A follow-on effort was concerned with the problem of operating these lean, premixed combustors with acceptable emissions at simulated engine idle conditions. Various techniques have been demonstrated that allow satisfactory operation on both the JIC and VAB combustors at idle with CO emissions below 20 g/kg fuel. The VAB combustor was limited by flashback/autoignition phenomena at the cruise conditions to a pressure of 8 atmospheres. The JIC combustor was operated up to the full design cruise pressure of 14 atmospheres without encountering an autoignition limitation although the NOx levels, in the 2-3 g NO2/kg fuel range, exceeded the program goal.

• Corporate Authors:

  Solar Turbines International

  2200 Pacific Highway
  San Diego, CA  United States  92101
• Authors:
  • Roberts, P B
  • Fiorito, R J
• Publication Date: 1977-10

Media Info

• Pagination: 44 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air quality management; Altitude; Cruising flight; Exhaust gases; Gas turbines; Nitric oxide; Nitrogen oxides; Supersonic aircraft; Turbine engines
• Uncontrolled Terms: High altitude
• Old TRIS Terms: Air breathing engines; Jet blast effects; Jet induced circulation; Supersonic combustion; Supersonic turbines; Vortex air blast; Vortex injectors
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00175297
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NASA-CR-135-297 Tech Rpt., RDR-1817-22
• Contract Numbers: NAS3-19770
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1978 12:00AM