TRACE combustion module
The combustion module of the CFD solver TRACE allows to simulate chemically reacting flows in aero engine combustors. It has been developed to address the current technical and scientific problems in the combustion chamber and to support the experimental research of the department. It thereby contributes to the design and analysis of next-generation engine combustion chambers.
The Institute of Propulsion Technology has been developing the TRACE (Turbomachinery Research Aerodynamic Computational Environment) CFD code for over 25 years. Originally designed for turbomachinery, the code now includes a fully integrated combustion module for high-fidelity simulations of reacting combustion chamber flows. The code is designed for massively parallel (HPC) applications, allowing for detailed modeling of complex combustion systems.
TRACE is utilized to address current technical and scientific issues in the combustion chamber, such as emission reduction, flame and combustion stability, thermoacoustic phenomena, and fuel flexibility. Due to its unique development history, TRACE is particularly suitable for cross-component simulations to investigate the interactions of the combustion chamber with the turbo components. Additionally, TRACE supports and complements the department's experimental research activities.
Different state-of-the-art approaches to model combustion processes are implemented. The Flamelet-Generated-Manifold (FGM) model allows for efficient simulations using detailed chemical reaction mechanisms by tabulating the chemical kinetics. Alternatively, Finite Rate Chemistry (FRC) can be used to account for phenomena such as (self-) ignition and the influence of detailed transport properties, particularly to address differential diffusion in H2 combustion. The interaction between turbulence and chemistry is accounted for using either artificial flame thickening or an assumed probability density function (PDF) approach.
TRACE is continuously adapted and further developed to meet the specific requirements of current applications. This is supported by a strong network of DLR institutes, academic and industrial partners