This research project looks to develop computer programs which will enable the study of reactive flows and combustion processes in gas turbine engines.
Dr. Clinton P.T. Groth , University of Toronto
This research project looks to develop computer programs which will enable the study of reactive flows and combustion processes in gas turbine engines. Combustion is inherently a multi-scale process that involves a wide range of complicated physical/chemical phenomena, as well as a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Due to the limits on available computational resources and the inability to resolve all solution scales for practical configurations, numerical predictions of reactive flows rely heavily on reduced mathematical modelling and sophisticated numerical methods to represent the underlying physics and make the problems of interest more manageable. Unfortunately, current mathematical modelling techniques and numerical solution algorithms are not sufficiently accurate, reliable, nor robust to address the numerous and complex issues associated with high-efficiency and low-emissions combustor design. To remedy this situation, the research team is looking at more accurate and improved multi-scale and adaptive modelling and numerical methods for predicting unsteady turbulent reactive flows in practical combustor geometries. The overarching goal of the research is to use the new and innovative sets of mathematical models and computational tools arising from this research to gain a much better understanding of combustion phenomena and subsequently use this knowledge in the design of more fuel-efficient and green engines.