Abstract
The simulation is based on the experimental results obtained from German Aerospace Center (DLR) using a non-premixed swirling flow gas turbine combustor. The simulation case allows for the understanding of CFD's capabilities in modeling combustion for pre-mixed flows and adds the complexity of modeling mixing and combustion for un-mixed streams. The case is simulated in steady-state condition, with typical boundary conditions being applied. For turbulence modeling, the Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) approaches are being utilized here to study the flow and combustion processes occurring inside a combustion chamber where lean methane-air streams are burnt. For chemical kinetics calculations, the Probability Density Function (PDF) transport model and Eddy Dissipation Model (EDM) using a single-step reaction are considered. The simulation results are compared and evaluated qualitatively with the experimental data,including velocity field and temperature profile.The results of swirl flow combustor show that the adopted numerical model reproduced the trends of axial, radial and tangential velocity profiles, especially near the centerline. However, the model failed to predict the temperature and species mass fraction profiles.