A Compact Diffuser System for Annular Combustors

Airflow tests have been conducted on an aerodynamic simulation of a combustor with pre-diffuser of compact configuration. The inlet Mach number throughout the tests was 0.35. The configuration was successful because of the attainment of a high pressure recovery, (C_p = 0.80), coupled with an exceptionally low total pressure loss (λ = 0.04). A useful analytical relationship is derived between the aerodynamic performance of combustor, compressor exit Mach number and diffuser performance.