Experimental investigation of emission characteristics and combustion performance of sustainable aviation fuel in a swirl combustor with varying vane angles
Applied Thermal Engineering
• Volume 285
(2026)
FEATURED BOOK
This study investigates the combined influence of swirler vane angle (30°, 45°, 60°) and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blending on flame behavior, combustion stability, and emission performance in a non-premixed optical swirl combustor. Experiments were conducted using three complementary diagnostics: flame imaging for visualizing flame structure and luminosity, OH* chemiluminescence for quantifying reaction-zone intensity and heat-release behavior, and FTIR spectroscopy for analyzing gaseous emissions of CO, NO, and UHC under various equivalence ratios.
The results reveal that blending SAF with Jet A-1 markedly improves combustion efficiency and reduces pollutant formation. Compared with pure Jet A-1, SAF blends significantly lowered CO and UHC emissions under lean conditions and reduced NOx formation through lower flame temperatures and enhanced mixing. Among the tested geometries, the 45° vane angle achieved the best overall balance between combustion stability and emission reduction, producing uniform flame structures, strong OH* intensity, and low pollutant levels. Although the 60° vane produced further CO and UHC decreases under certain conditions, it also caused localized overheating near the combustor base, which may accelerate material degradation. In contrast, the 45° vane maintained stable combustion while mitigating thermal stress, favoring longer combustor lifespan.
This work advances previous studies by providing the first integrated optical and emission characterization of HEFA-derived SAF and Jet A-1 blends across multiple vane angles. The findings establish clear physical correlations between swirl intensity, flame dynamics, and emission trends, offering practical guidance for designing low-emission, durable combustors optimized for sustainable aviation fuels.
The results reveal that blending SAF with Jet A-1 markedly improves combustion efficiency and reduces pollutant formation. Compared with pure Jet A-1, SAF blends significantly lowered CO and UHC emissions under lean conditions and reduced NOx formation through lower flame temperatures and enhanced mixing. Among the tested geometries, the 45° vane angle achieved the best overall balance between combustion stability and emission reduction, producing uniform flame structures, strong OH* intensity, and low pollutant levels. Although the 60° vane produced further CO and UHC decreases under certain conditions, it also caused localized overheating near the combustor base, which may accelerate material degradation. In contrast, the 45° vane maintained stable combustion while mitigating thermal stress, favoring longer combustor lifespan.
This work advances previous studies by providing the first integrated optical and emission characterization of HEFA-derived SAF and Jet A-1 blends across multiple vane angles. The findings establish clear physical correlations between swirl intensity, flame dynamics, and emission trends, offering practical guidance for designing low-emission, durable combustors optimized for sustainable aviation fuels.
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