Numerical investigation on flow structures of a laboratory-scale trapped vortex combustor

Flow fields of combustors have been commonly used to help understand combustion characteristics. In this paper, numerical simulations with validated methodology are employed to provide insight of the flow structures of a laboratory-scale trapped vortex combustor (TVC). Turbulence model determination and numerical method validation are accomplished with the help of experimental data from particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. A comparison of numerical and experimental results suggests that the standard k–ε turbulence model is able to provide a satisfactory prediction of the flow structures. Both of the two typical cavity flow patterns mentioned are observed: in a plane between two radial struts, the cavity flow features the dual-vortex pattern, however, in a plane along a radial strut, the cavity flow is dominated by the single-vortex pattern. This difference in flow patterns of different planes indicates the difference in cavity stream–mainstream mixing mechanism, which further, is believed to lead to enhanced mixing in spanwise direction.