DEVELOPMENT OF AIRCRAFT ENGINE COMBUSTORS

The principal requirements of combustors for advanced, high-tech aircraft engines are reviewed in this paper. Key technologies are briefly described and new development approaches are introduced.Combustors will be developed continuously in the direction of improving performances, shortening length, increasing reliability and durability, reducing exhausting gas pollution, and utilizing alternating fuels, the last one is the key to the success of wide application of industrial gas turbines.Various new combustor concepts are in study both abroad and home, includingdouble-annular combustors, vorbix, axially or radially stagged combustors, varying geometry combustors, twin recirculation combustors, horse shoe combustordome, vortex buring afterburner, barchane dune flame-holder and so on. Among the key technologies for advanced combustors, improving spray quality and combustor-dome fuel-air mixture preparation, and developing advanced coolingschemes and heat-resisting materials are in the first priorities.Rapid progress of computer and laser technologies strongly influences a varietyof science and technology fields, combustor is no exception. The main aspects of computer modeling and laser diagnostics of combustion processes are briefed, and a new empirical/multidimensional analytical design methodology is surveyed, which is believed to become a new approach to studying, designing and developing advanced combustors.