Experimental investigations on central vortex core in swirl spray flames using high-speed laser diagnostics

Centrally staged swirl combustion can effectively reduce NOx emission. However, the complex combustion field is susceptible to producing large-scale coherent structures, such as precessing vortex core and central vortex core (CVC). This study mainly investigates the effect of CVC on the flow and flame in a centrally staged swirl spray combustor at elevated temperature and pressure using 10 kHz high-speed CH* chemiluminescence (CL), 20 kHz particle image velocimetry, and CH2O planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF). For the pilot flame, both CH* CL and CH2O PLIF flame are fork-shaped with three long parts, and the middle parts of flame dynamics indicate CVC structure. For the stratified flame, the CVC structure exists in an extended strip area of strong vorticity near the centerline of the combustor. The analysis of proper orthogonal decomposition modes shows that the motion of CVC is mainly swing, followed by precessing. Simultaneous diagnostics indicates that the entrainment of CVC leads to CH2O transport from the shear layer to the central region of the combustor. In general, the CH2O signal is mainly distributed in two positive velocity regions, the pilot/main jet and around CVC. Taking advantage of the CVC effect on radical transportation is a potential method to improve the mixing of the combustor, such as temperature distribution.