Turbulence modelling of combustion using large eddie simulations (LES)

Supervisors: Professor Mohamed Pourkashanian, Dr Kevin Hughes, Professor Lin Ma and Dr Janos Szuhanszki.

Computational fluid dynamics modelling is a powerful tool that, due to recent advances in computational power, has become useful in aiding the design and development of advanced power generation technologies with significant climate change mitigation potential.

Large eddie simulations (LES) is an advanced turbulence modelling approach with the potential to more accurately predict the combustion phenomena that drive the heat transfer, pollutant emissions, and fuel burnout of coal, gas and biomass fired power plants. However, development work based on experimental validation is necessary to make the technique more reliable and commercially applicable to the power generation sector.

The project will characterise the near burner velocity field of a 250kW test furnace at the Pilot Scale Advanced Capture Technology (PACT) Facilities using a velocity measurement probe. This experimental data will be used to develop and validate advanced LES modelling approaches as part of a large CFD group focused on energy research.

The aim will be to improve the existing LES turbulence modelling methods and drive forward the commercialisation of the approach to the power generation sector.

For further information contact Professor Derek B Ingham (d.ingham@sheffield.ac.uk).