Ignition Study of a Full-Annular Small-Scale Combustor

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

This work studies the ignition characteristics of a full-annular optically-accessible small-scale combustor. The liquid jet fuel and air are partially premixed and pre-vaporized within twelve pre-vaporizer tubes. A quartz combustor liner with primary, secondary, and tertiary dilution holes enables visualization of the entire combustor during the ignition process. The combustor dome allows for the number and position of the glow plug igniters to be varied. The study mimics the ignition sequence of a commercial-off-the-shelf engine using glow plug igniters. Single and double igniter configurations are tested across a range of fuel and air mass flow rates at atmospheric pressure and temperature. The use of two igniters increases the range of conditions over which successful ignition can be achieved relative to the single igniter configuration. The azimuthal position of the igniters relative to the pre-vaporizer tubes has negligible effects on ignition success. The use of two igniters reduces the time required for a flame to propagate around the entire combustor annulus by a factor of two to three depending on the operating condition.

Comments

Presented at the AIAA SCITECH 2026 Forum, Januray 12-16, 2026 in Orlando, FL.

DOI

10.2514/6.2026-0594

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