Comparison of state-of-the-art droplet turbulence interaction models for jet engine combustor conditions

The objective of this paper is to assess three state-of-the-art Lagrangian droplet turbulence interaction models for jet engine combustor operating conditions. The models can be distinguished by their underlying temporal autocorrelation function of the gaseous velocity fluctuations seen by a droplet. Two generic experiments and one realistic test case were used for validation of the models. The analysis of single particle dispersion revealed poor accuracy of the model proposed by Gosman and Ioannides at small Stokes numbers and high relative velocities. The models of Milojevic and of Blumcke gave good agreement with the experimental data. Furthermore, the accuracy of the three models in predicting real polydisperse combustor sprays was studied. It is concluded that the droplet turbulence model does not affect significantly the overall combustor prediction. Finally, characteristic parameters describing monodisperse particle dispersion have been extracted by a numerical study based on the model of Blumcke covering a wide range of combustor operation conditions. These parameters are compared to analytical results of Wang et al. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.