Comparison of the performance of symmetric and asymmetric strut based fuel injection systems for scramjet combustor (MS)

Abstract

A new asymmetric strut based fuel injection system is proposed for the enhancement of the fuel-air mixing and combustion in supersonic combustors. The strut configuration is redesigned from a wedge-shaped symmetric strut to asymmetric strut in such a way that asymmetry in the strut creates the additional recirculation along the Z (longitudinal) axis after the flow crosses over the lip of the strut. In the downstream stream of the combustor, the flow circulation grows resulting in improved mixing of fuel-air. The fuel is injected from the strut about the centerline of the combustor. Due to the presence of vortices inside the combustor the air and fuel mixes properly which increases the mixing and combustion efficiencies. Various performance parameters for the asymmetric strut are compared with a symmetric wedge shaped strut case to present a quantitative comparison between two different struts. It is found from the current simulations that the asymmetric strut has better combustion efficiency and mixing efficiency. The amount of H2O formed is more for the asymmetric strut which is an indication of better mixing and combustion.