Combustion Enhancement and Flame Stabilization Due to Vortex Generation

Application of vortex generators for combustion implementation and heat transfer enhancement in gas-fired equipment is discussed in this paper. Vortex generators in this study are spherical dimples on a surface. Experimental study of flow pattern and heat transfer in dimples, as well as investigation of natural gas combustion process and flame stabilization via vortex generators have been performed. Experiments allowed to determine the places of gas supply to establish steady state combustion. Influence of external factors (flow velocity, pressure drop, flow turbulence and etc.) on combustion and heat transfer in a dimple has been studied. The experiments carried out allowed to estimate some benefits of the application of vortex generators for implementation of combustion process and the flame stabilization. One of the practical implementations of the vortex generators for natural gas combustion on waterwall surfaces of boilers is considered. Efficiency of the application of vortex generators for the boiler water cooled walls has been estimated. It has been shown that the vortex generators enhance the heat transfer process through the wall from the flame to the coolant. Vortex generators allow to decrease the overall dimensions of the heat transfer surface as well as to reduce the flow resistance of heat exchangers.