Future fundamental combustion research for aeropropulsion systems

: The current understanding of the physical fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and chemical kinetic processes which occur in the combustion chamber of aeropropulsion systems is based on many years of empirical research and experimental experience. Successful gas turbine engines and other propulsion systems are the result of many years of research and development on the various engine components, especially the combustor. Now as we enter the age of the computer and the laser, new tools are emerging that show promise in greatly improving this understanding. With the component requirements becoming more severe for future engines, the current design methodology needs these new tools to obtain the optimum configuration in a reasonable design and development cycle. Research efforts in the last few years have been encouraging but in order to achieve these benefits much further research is required into the fundamental aerothermodynamic processes of combustion. There is much in combustion science that remains to be researched and understood. Research must continue in the areas of flame stabilization, combustor aerodynamics, heat transfer, multiphase flow and atomization, turbulent reacting flows, and chemical kinetics. Associated with each of these engineering sciences is the need for research into computational methods to accurately describe and predict these complex physical processes. This paper highlights research needs in each of the above areas. (Author)