COMBUSTION RESEARCH & FLOW TECHNOLOGY INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N171-034

Description

A Reactive Solids Tool concept will be developed which can be interfaced with a modern high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics code to predict sand and ash behavior in high temperature combustor environments, and the potential for deposition of solid and molten particulate on gas turbine internal surfaces. This effort will utilize state-of-the-art knowledge of the material, chemical, morphological, and rheological response of sand/ash in high-temperature environments to develop algorithms for prediction of time varying sand and ash material properties, concentrations, state, and adhesion characteristics. At the end of a Phase II effort, the hybrid CFD-Reactive Solids Tool will provide a capability to perform time-resolved Reynolds-Average Navier Stokes and Large Eddy Simulation CFD predictions for passage of solid particles of reactive sand and dust through the flow path of gas turbine engines, and assess the potential for accumulation of solid particulate and molten deposits on locations throughout the engine. This computational capability will allow assessment of the effectiveness of alternate particle separator design concepts and the impact of particulate that bypasses the separators and enters the combustor.