A review of oscillation mechanisms and the role of the precessing vortex core (PVC) in swirl combustion systems

• Published in: Progress in energy and combustion science 2006, Vol.32 (2), p.93-161
• Main Author: Syred, Nicholas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Combustion. Flame; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Oscillation mechanisms; Precessing vortex core (PVC); Reverse flow zones; Swirl combustors; Theoretical studies. Data and constants. Metering
• ISSN: 0360-1285; 1873-216X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2005.10.002

This paper reviews the occurrence of the precessing vortex core (PVC) and other instabilities, which occur in, swirl combustion systems whilst identifying mechanisms, which allows coupling between the acoustics, combustion and swirling flow dynamics to occur. Initially, the occurrence of the PVC in free and confined isothermal flows is reviewed by describing its occurrence in terms of a Strouhal number and geometric swirl number. Phase locked particle image velocimetry and laser doppler anemometry is then used to describe the three-dimensional flow fields, which are generated when swirling flow is discharged into an open environment. This shows the presence of a rotating and precessing off centred vortex and associated central recirculation zone (CRZ), extending up to one burner exit diameter. The presence of axial radial eddies close to the burner mouth, in and around the CRZ, is clearly shown. Typically one large dominant PV is found, although many harmonics can be present of lower amplitude. The occurrence of these phenomena is very much a function of swirl number and burner geometry. Under combustion conditions the behaviour is more complex, the PVC occurrence and amplitude are also strong functions of mode of fuel entry, equivalence ratio and level of confinement. Axial fuel entry, except at exceptionally weak mixture ratios, often suppresses the vortex core precession. A strong double PVC structure is also found under certain circumstances. Premixed or partially premixed combustion can produce large PVC, similar in structure to that found isothermally: this is attributed to the radial location of the flame front at the swirl burner exit. Provided the flame is prevented from flashing back to the inlets values of Strouhal number for the PVC were excited by ∼2 compared to the isothermal condition at equivalence ratios around 0.7. Confinement caused this parameter to drop by a factor of three for very weak combustion. Separate work on unconfined swirling flames shows that even when the vortex core precession is suppressed the resulting swirling flames are unstable and tend to wobble in response to minor perturbations in the flow, most importantly close to the burner exit. Another form of instability is shown to be associated with jet precession, often starting at very low or zero swirl numbers. Jet precession is normally associated with special shapes of nozzles, large expansions or bluff bodies and is a different phenomenon to the PVC. Strouhal numbers