INVESTIGATION OF GORENJE AND MIXING PROCESSES IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER OF A GAS TURBINE PLANT

Abstract

Relevance of the research topic is due to the fact that the combustor of a gas turbine unit determines its efficiency, power, service life, and environmental performance. Problem statement lies in the need to simultaneously ensure stable combustion over a wide range of operating conditions, a high gas temperature before the turbine, a uniform outlet temperature field, and minimal emissions of toxic components. Objective of the study is to analyze the design, operating principle, and key characteristics of a gas turbine combustor. Research methods include thermodynamic analysis, computational fluid dynamics modeling of mixing and turbulent combustion, kinetic modeling of chemical reactions, as well as experimental validation on firing rigs using laser diagnostics and gas analyzers. Results showed that the combustor design follows an annular or can-annular arrangement with a flame tube, a swirler-stabilized front end, and a cooling system, and the operation is divided into combustion, mixing, and outlet zones. Key conclusions: the combustor is a critically important component of a gas turbine unit; modern design is based on numerical simulation and experiments; the main development trend is to create combustors with ultra-low emissions of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide while increasing the turbine inlet gas temperature.