Single-tube simulation of a semi-intermittent pressure-gain combustor

This work is aimed to investigate the fundamental combustion and reignition process in semi-intermittent pressure-gain combustors for gas turbine applications. A combustion-torch ignition method is used to simulate reignition in one tube of a pressure-gain combustor by employing burned gas produced in a pre-chamber combustor. Numerical flow and combustion simulations are performed to understand and guide preliminary experimental results. The computational fluid dynamics code StarCD (R) is used to predict internal flow and combustion upon attempted ignition by a hot gas jet. This study provides improved understanding of the complex, submillisecond processes involved: transient supersonic jet mixing, ignition, highly turbulent flame propagation, and shock-flame interaction in near-wall region. The results are useful for successful design of rotary pressure gain combustors or internal combustion wave rotors under various operating conditions.