Étude expérimentale de systèmes d'injection innovants à faibles émissions de NOx et de suie pour la technologie de combustion giratoire, utilisant des diagnostics laser avancés

Anthropogenic effects on the environment present a major challenge for the aeronautical industry. Increasingly stringent pollution regulations and the necessity for sustainable air transport are driving the nowadays research toward innovative propulsion systems. In this context, Safran Helicopter Engines is advancing its patented Spinning Combustion Technology (SCT), aimed at improving helicopter engine performance. Already implemented in the Arrano engine, SCT is now being refined to significantly reduce NOx and soot emissions. As part of the European LOOPS program, two novel fuel injection systems are under investigation: one operating in a rich combustion regime tailored for an RQL combustion chamber and the other designed for lean combustion. The scientific activity of this thesis focuses on the experimental characterization of these injection systems using state-of-the-art laser diagnostics optimized for high-pressure reactive environments. The HERON combustion facility at CORIA enables the analysis of combustion and pollutant performance under conditions representative of helicopter engines, with pressures from 8 to 14 bar, air inlet temperatures from 570 to 750 K, and equivalence ratios ranging from 0.6 to 1.67. Initial flame stability maps are established, followed by in-depth analyses of liquid spray properties using Phase Doppler Particle Anemometry (PDPA). High-speed Particle Imaging Velocimetry (PIV) captures aerodynamic fields under reactive and non-reactive conditions at 10 kHz. Flame structures are examined via OH-PLIF fluorescence imaging, while kerosene-PLIF evaluates liquid and vapor fuel distributions, particularly probing aromatic components in Jet A-1 kerosene. Furthermore, NO-PLIF imaging, combined with OH-PLIF and kerosene-PLIF, enables spatial correlations between flame structure, fuel distribution, and NO production zones. Soot formation and oxidation mechanisms are explored through Planar Laser-Induced Incandescence Imaging (PLII), integrated with OH-PLIF and kerosene-PLIF. Specific methods are developed to obtain 2D distributions of quantitative concentrations of NO, OH and soot volume fraction. Results reveal that the rich-burn injector produces an asymmetrical flame with enhanced upper-zone combustion efficiency due to locally intensified liquid fuel injection. Moderate soot levels are observed despite high equivalence ratios, while localized NO production, primarily near the flame, is attributed to the Zeldovich thermal mechanism. Conversely, the lean-burn injector forms a flame structure characteristic of stratified swirl flames, despite the minor asymmetry. Improved fuel evaporation leads to higher combustion efficiency, shorter flame lengths, and a reduction in NO formation, attributed to lower flame temperatures. In spite of the lean combustion conditions, moderate soot levels are measured for the second injector. Operating conditions strongly influence performance. Higher pressures accelerate spray atomization, increase spray expansion angles, and strengthen internal recirculation zones, reshaping flame structures. The increase in soot production at higher pressure is particularly demonstrated by the rich-burn injector due to constant equivalence ratios across all test conditions, while NO levels remain stable. For the lean-burn injector, leaner operation at elevated pressures moderates pressure effects, maintaining consistent soot levels and reducing NO concentrations. These findings highlight the potential of both injection systems for optimizing performance and reducing emissions in future helicopter engines.