Numerical modelling of turbine combustion chambers

This paper focuses on the calculation of the flow and scalar fields of axisymmetric gas turbine combustion chambers with non-premixed combustion. Modelling of the turbulent swirling flow is carried out both by viscosity and Reynolds stress closure. It is our intention to specify the shortcomings as well as the potential of the different schemes with regard to prediction capabilities, numerical performance, and economic worth. The various aspects of modelling are discussed. A short description of the governing transport equations as well as the turbulence closure is given. An equilibrium chemistry model is compared to a laminar flamelet model, both schemes applied in conjunction with a probability density formulation for scalar properties. Numerical results of velocities and temperature in model gas turbine combustion chambers are compared with experimental results. Probable reasons for deviations are deduced and some prospects for possible future development of numerical simulation of gas turbine combustion are given.