Session: 04-34 Combustion Experiments III

Paper Number: 153327

Thermal Crystal Temperature Characterization in a High Temperature, High Pressure Combustion Test Rig 

Advancement towards higher efficiency aviation propulsion systems is pushing the gas turbine industry towards smaller cores and higher overall pressure ratios (OPR).  However, the move towards smaller core, higher OPR engines means embracing higher power densities in the combustor and consequently more challenging thermal management.  Experimental research to study combustor liner thermal management requires temperature and heat flux measurements at relevant operating conditions, which is challenging with conventional instrumentation even in rig tests.  This paper overviews the development of a single sector combustion test rig designed specifically for operation at future high OPR takeoff conditions.  This includes a facility expansion at the Ben T. Zinn Combustion Lab to increase the air preheat capability.  The test article includes a rich quench lean (RQL) style combustor liner with impingement and effusion cooled walls.  Several sets of replaceable combustor liner effusion panels were instrumented with Uniform Crystal Temperature Sensors (UCTS) and thermocouples at strategic locations.  These combustor liner panel sets were hot fire tested and analyzed for peak temperature and temperature history data.  This paper details the new rig for future papers to come, it provides an overview of the inaugural thermal crystal test firing, and details the analysis and results from these initial tests.

Presenting Author: Natalie King Georgia Institute of Technology

Presenting Author Biography: Natalie is a PhD student in the Ben T. Zinn Combustion Lab at Georgia Tech. Natalie's experimental research focus has been aviation combustion research, with a focus on durability at high power and high OPR conditions. Natalie's research has also included novel methods for temperature and heat flux measurements under harsh conditions.

Authors:

Natalie King Georgia Institute of Technology
Mit Sony Georgia Institute of Technology
Ari Tretiak Georgia Institute of Technology
Randal Mckinney Georgia Institute of Technology
Dibesh Joshi Pratt & Whitney
Qingguo Zhang Pratt & Whitney
David Wu Georgia Institute of Technology
Benjamin Emerson Georgia Institute of Technology