Benchmark Experimental Database for Multiphase Combustion Model Input and Validation: A Users Follow-Up

摘要

Optimization of the performance of industrial combustion systems is relying increasingly on computational models and simulations to provide relevant process information in a cost-effective manner. Although computational fluid dynamics (CFD) offers a cost-effective alternative to experiments, the accuracy of the CFD models must first be assured. This is accomplished by two means: verification and validation. This paper describes a benchmark case suitable for validation of multiphase combustion models and submodels. The benchmark includes a reference spray combustor to provide well-defined input and boundary conditions, enabling measurements to characterize the fuel spray, combustion air, wall temperatures, exhaust gas temperatures and species concentrations. The characteristics (i.e., size, velocity, volume flux, etc.) of the methanol spray were determined using phase Doppler interferometry. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was used to measure species concentrations in the reactor exhaust and the conversion of methanol. The inlet combustion air was characterized using particle image velocimetry and a five-hole pitot probe. The measurements constitute a database sufficiently complete for code validation; subsequently, several research groups have carried out simulations of the facility to varying degrees of success. This paper describes the development of the database and some of the modeling issues and needs.