Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering - Department of Mechanical Power Engineering

A CFD model of the Swirl Burner has been tested and evaluated using FLUENT. The Swirl Burner was modelled using a 2D structured grid consisting of about 45,000 cells with an average skewness of 0.04. Three turbulence models were tested on a cold flow with a flow rate equivalent to 200 kW. These were the k-f model, the Realizable k-f model and the Reynolds Stress Model (RSM). Based on an evaluation of the models ability to predict a central toroidal recirculation zone of this strong swirling flow (S>0.6) and recommendations from literature, the RSM was chosen for further modelling of the reacting flow. With the RSM turbulence model, three different combustion models were tested. These models were the Eddy Dissipation model, the PDF-based Equilibrium model and the PDF-based Flamelet model. For the reaction models, the Eddy Dissipation model predicted peak flame temperatures higher than the adiabatic flame temperature for a propane-air mixture and was therefore dismissed. The Flamelet PDF model was chosen for the modelling of the swirl burner due to its ability to account for non-equilibrium chemistry. The decision of choosing the Flamelet PDF model was also based on recommendations found in literature.

Issued also as CD