Combustion and Flame, Vol.129, No.1-2, 47-86, 2002
A benchmark experiemental database for multiphase combustion model input and validation
Experimental data were obtained for the purpose of validating multiphase combustion models and submodels. A reference spray combustor was fabricated to permit well-defined input and boundary conditions, enabling measurements to characterize the fuel spray, combustion air, wall temperatures, gas temperatures, and species concentrations. The level of complexity of the reference spray combustor is consistent with a benchmark case in which the level of coupling between the flow field and the remaining physics (e.g., chemical reactions, heat transfer) is not as extensive as in the complete system, but is also not insignificant. The characteristics (i.e., size, velocity, volume flux, etc.) of the methanol fuel spray were determined using phase Doppler interferometry. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to measure the species concentrations in the reactor emissions, and the conversion of methanol in the reactor. Thermocouple measurements provide gas temperature data at the reactor exit. Particle image velocimetry was used to characterize the inlet combustion air, and also to provide validation data farther downstream.