Patent GB-841872-A (GB)
Title: Means for dispersing liquid into a moving stream of gaseous fluid
Inventor: POWELL KENNETH STANLEY
IPC: B01F5/04
Filed: 1957-05-09
Abstract: 841,872. Burners. BRISTOL SIDDELEY ENGINES Ltd. May 9, 1958 [May 9, 1957], No. 14839/57. Class 75(1). [Also in Group XXVII] The invention relates to apparatus for dispersing liquid (e.g. liquid fuel) into a moving stream of gaseous fluid in such a manner that at a low rate of liquid supply the liquid is dispersed into a part only of the cross-section of the stream and that as the rate of liquid supply is increased the liquid is dispersed into a progressively larger part of the cross-section of the stream. According to the invention apparatus for dispersing liquid into a moving stream of gaseous fluid comprises a main conduit (2 or 21 and 22) two or more straight cross conduits (3, 4, 5, 6,) open at both ends, all the cross conduits having a common axial direction, and each intersecting the main conduit at a different position along its length, each cross conduit having at its intersection with the main conduit a flow path width normal to the axes of both conduits not substantially less than that of the main conduit and each cross conduit extending on each side of the main conduit a distance not substantially less than the width at its intersection with the main conduit means for aligning the cross conduits with the flow direction of the stream means for supplying liquid into one of the main conduit and means for controlling the flow of liquid into the main conduit. One field of application of the apparatus is in combustion systems of the kind in which liquid fuel is dispersed into a moving stream of air or other gaseous combustion supporting medium confined within a duct it being desirable in such systems that at a low ratio of fuel flow to mass air flow the fuel shall be dispersed over a selected part of the cross-section of the stream usually a central part so as to produce a readily ignitable mixture in that part and that as the ratio of fuel flow to mass air flow is increased the fuel shall be increasingly widely distributed over the cross-section of the stream. Where such a combustion system forms part of a propulsion plant for an aerial vehicle operating as is most usual with constant air stream Mach number in the duct over a rnage of altitude maintenance of a selected ratio of fuel flow to mass air flow involves changes in fuel flow with altitude to compensate for the changes in air density and air velocity in the duct and it is undesirable that such changes in fuel flow should cause changes in the pattern of fuel distribution over the cross-section of the duct. The main conduit could be fixed to a body having a preferential direction of orientation relatively to the stream for example a part of an aerial vehicle passing through the fluid or if the direction of the stream is variable the assembly of conduits could be pivotally mounted and constrained by a vane or the like to maintain the cross conduits in alignment with the stream. Referring to Fig. 1, it is found that with increasing flow of liquid up to a first critical flow all the liquid is dispersed out of the downstream end 9 of the first cross conduit 3 in admixture with gaseous fluid which has entered the conduit 3 through its upstream end 10 and that when this flow is exceeded some of the liquid flows further along the main conduit 2 to be similarly dispersed out through the downstream end of the next cross conduit 4. After a second critical value of the flow liquid passes on to the third cross conduit 5 and so on. The conduits may be of oval or polygonal shape. The spacing of the cross conduits may be either equal or unequal. Liquid may be admitted into the main conduit at both ends. As shown in Fig. 6, two main conduits 21, 22 may extend in opposite directions from a common fuel duct 23. Further main conduits may be added if desired and may radiate at equal or unequal spacing from the common fuel duct. In Fig. 2 the strut like member 11 is generally of streamlined crosssection. The liquid may be supplied to the metering device at a pressure varying in direct proportion with the desired fuel flow.