Vauquelin P., Cakir B.O., Sanned D., Prakash M., Hannappel J.-P., Subash A.A., Richter M., Bai X.-S. & Fureby C., 2025, “Large Eddy Simulation of a Model Jet-Engine Swirl-Stabilized Flame Using Sustainable Aviation Fuels”, AIAA 2025-0163. doi: 10.2514/6.2025-0163.
Abstract: Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) typically exhibit a composition that differs significantly from conventional jet fuels. These variations in chemical makeup influence the thermophysical and reactive properties of these propellants. In this study, Finite-Rate Chemistry (FRC) Large Eddy Simulations (LES) are employed to investigate turbulent spray flames from a Triple Annular Research Swirler (TARS) burner. Flush-mounted into a quadratic combustion chamber, the TARS burner reproduces the swirl-stabilized combustion process typical of modern jet engines combustors. Using the recently developed Z79 mechanisms, a collection of compact pathway-centric chemical reaction mechanisms, combined with a reduced NOx mechanism of 19 steps, conventional Jet A and two alternative fuels, referred to as C1 and C5, are compared in lean conditions. Additionally, ethanol is examined for validation purposes using the novel Z74 reaction mechanism. Experimental data collected during preliminary measurement campaigns include CH* chemiluminescence images for ethanol and Jet A, as well as CO2 emissions from the exhaust gases for Jet A. The V-shaped flame impinging the combustion chamber walls, as observed in the experiments, is successfully reproduced by the LES. Regarding carbon dioxide emissions from the exhaust gas, a promising agreement is found between LES predictions and experimental data.
