Abstract

Continuing emphasis on energy availability, its most efficient conversion to meet our needs consistent with environmental considerations has provided impetus for developing innovative technological concepts under NASA sponsorship since the early 1970’s followed by transition to market competitive aviation and aero-derivative gas turbine combustion products. This presentation provides a very brief overview of the Low-Emissions Combustion, LEC and the Dual-Annular Combustion, DAC, products (classified as n+1 generation technology); followed by description of the Twin-Annular Premixing Swirl stabilized combustion, TAPS, which has been transitioned to n+2 generation product by GE Aviation, e.g., GEnx used on the Boeing 747-8 and Boeing 787.

The key feature of the TAPS mixer is its ability to create two concentric flame zones that can be optimized consistent with the design requirement of the next-generation propulsion and aeroderivative engines through a robust transition region developed through extensive design, development and validation process. Its continuing evolution as environmentally friendly combustion system is expected to continue for several years leading to further enhancements in regard to emissions, operability and affordability.

A new clean-sheet Triple-Flame Mixer, TFM concept is described in this presentation that by treating strain and vorticity as two independent variables shows the feasibility of creating three flames that show the potential of transitioning from thin flame fronts to distributed combustion and thereby providing an opportunity to: (1) Combust fuels with significantly different physical and chemical properties; (2) Further reduce gaseous and particulate emissions with Direct Fuel Injection, DFI devices; (3) Continuing progress in regard to operability, durability and cost for 50+ pressure ratio gas turbine engines.

Biography

Dr. Mongia joined Purdue on February 2, 2009 as Professor of Mechanical Engineering to work jointly with his colleagues and students to initiate and grow research and technology activities relevant to next- generation energy efficient fuel-flexible ultra-low emissions gas turbine engines for propulsion and power generation.

During his 37-year career with three engine design and manufacturing companies (GE Aviation, Allison now Rolls Royce of North America, and Garrett now Honeywell Aerospace), he has contributed significantly in developing combustion technology, design methodology and tools in addition to transition of technology into products and continuous improvement.

Dr. Mongia with several prestigious awards including the AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Award, the AIAA Propellant and Combustion Award, Edison Award is credited with more than 25 combustion patents and 200 publications.