Experimental investigation of multi-burner array with lean lifted spray flames in inline and inclined configurations

Lean combustion in gas turbines garners attention for emissions reduction, yet it faces stability challenges demanding careful design considerations. In this study, a novel CHAIRLIFT combustor concept, which integrates low swirl lean lifted spray flames known for substantial nitrogen oxides emissions reduction, into a Short Helical Combustors (SHC) arrangement, is investigated. A comprehensive experimental test campaign explores key parameters, including staggered arrangement offset, equivalence ratios, and air inlet temperature, to evaluate its performance. The results reveal exceptional stability in low swirl, lifted flames compared to moderate swirl flames with larger inner recirculation zones. The unwanted flow deflection of highly swirled flames in the SHC arrangement is effectively avoided with the investigated low swirl, lifted flames. The study emphasizes the significant influence of fuel droplet evaporation time on flame stability near the flame root under low air inlet temperatures. Furthermore, at high air inlet temperatures, the complex flame stability mechanism in inclined configurations is controlled by various parameters, including outer recirculation zone size, air inlet temperature, and additional vortices generated by pressure differences near the wall. OH* chemiluminescence results corroborate these stability mechanisms, showing that at lower temperatures, the flame stabilizes closer to the nozzle exit due to local rich pockets near the shear layer. Conversely, at the same tilt angle, higher air inlet temperatures lead to an increased flame lift -off height due to faster evaporation and enhanced mixing. Exhaust gas analyses confirm the potential of the investigated lean lifted spray flames in a multi-burner arrangement to achieve very low NOx emissions over a wide range of operating conditions for all investigated burner inclinations. These findings may facilitate the future development and optimization of lean combustion technology for aircraft engines.