Design, Construction, and Validation of the AFIT Small Scale Combustion Facility and Section Model of the Ultra-Compact Combustor

Abstract

The AFIT small-scale combustion facility is complete and its first experiment designed and built. Beginning with the partially built facility, detailed designs have been developed to complete the laboratory in order to run small-scale combustion experiments at atmospheric pressure. A sectional model of the Ultra-Compact Combustor has also been designed and built. Although the lab\u27s specific design intent was to study the UCC\u27s cavity-vane interaction, facility flexibility has also been maintained for future work. The design enabled the completion of liquid fuel and air delivery systems, power and control systems, and test equipment. The design includes failsafe operation, remote control, and adherence to SAE ARP 1256 testing standards. Construction of the laboratory has forced design changes as new obstacles arose. As system construction has been completed validation and troubleshooting have been undertaken. The AFIT facility can now deliver air in two separately controlled air lines at up to 530 K (500 deg F), at delivery rates of 0.12 kg/s (200 SCFM) for the main line and 0.03 kg/s (60 SCFM) for the secondary. A continuous dual syringe pump can deliver liquid fuel at up to 5.67 mL/s for JP-8 equivalence ratios up to 4. Safe, remote ignition and shutdown are in place and all test equipment fundamental to combustion is installed. The addition of an advanced laser combustion diagnostics system adds more unique capability to the laboratory. The laser system will provide instantaneous Raman and Raman spectroscopy, Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering, Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence, Laser-Induced Incandescence and Planar Imaging Velocimetry diagnostic techniques

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