A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine including an outer sleeve. An upstream end of the outer sleeve defines an inlet opening and a downstream end defines an exit opening, each of which defined within the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve defines a radial opening extended therethrough along the radial direction. At least a portion of the outer sleeve defines a plurality of grooves. The outer sleeve defines a fuel conduit through at least a portion of the outer sleeve outward of the plurality of grooves along the radial direction from the fuel injector centerline. The fuel conduit defines a fuel injection opening inward along the radial direction of the radial opening defined through the outer sleeve. A first member of an arm is coupled to the outer sleeve. A second member of the arm is contoured defining a fuel injection port generally concentric to the fuel injector centerline.

Combustor assemblies and methods for assembling combustor assemblies are provided. For example, a combustor assembly comprises an annular inner liner and an annular outer linear, each extending generally along an axial direction. The outer liner includes an outer flange extending forward from its upstream end. The combustor assembly also comprises a combustor dome extending between an inner liner upstream end and the outer liner upstream end and including an inner flange extending forward from a radially outermost end of the combustor dome. The inner liner, outer liner, and combustor dome define a combustion chamber therebetween, and the combustor dome and a portion of the outer liner together define an annular cavity of the combustion chamber. The inner and outer flanges define an airflow opening therebetween, and a chute member is positioned within the airflow opening to define an air chute for providing a flow of air to the annular cavity.

Combustor assemblies and methods for assembling combustor assemblies are provided. For example, a combustor assembly comprises an annular inner liner and an annular outer linear, each extending generally along an axial direction. The outer liner includes an outer flange extending forward from its upstream end. The combustor assembly also comprises a combustor dome extending between an inner liner upstream end and the outer liner upstream end and including an inner flange extending forward from a radially outermost end of the combustor dome. The inner liner, outer liner, and combustor dome define a combustion chamber therebetween, and the combustor dome and a portion of the outer liner together define an annular cavity of the combustion chamber. The inner and outer flanges define an airflow opening therebetween, and a chute member is positioned within the airflow opening to define an air chute for providing a flow of air to the annular cavity.

A free-vortex combustor is disclosed that generates vortices which: enhance fuel air mixing, recirculate the air, provide cooling for the combustor walls, and provide low emissions and a substantially uniform exit temperature profile. The combustor is provided fuel or fuel and air through a fuel injector which atomizes the fuel. A first air swirler couples to the fuel injector with a prechamber wall abutting the first swirler. A second swirler abuts a downstream end of the prechamber wall. And, a main chamber abuts the second swirler. Each of the first and second swirlers have features that cause the flow to create a vortex in the prechamber and main chamber, respectively. The features creating the swirl are blades or angled orifices. The vortex causes a pressure depression along the centerline and causes backflow along the centerline that improves mixing and improves cooling.

An annular combustor is disclosed in which free-vortices are generated which: enhance fuel air mixing, recirculate the air, provide cooling for the combustor walls, and provide low emissions and a substantially uniform exit temperature profile. The combustor is provided fuel and air through a plurality of fuel injectors which atomizes the fuel and promote individual vortices emanating from each injector. The combustor includes an annular prechamber, an annular main chamber, and an annular dilution zone. A first swirler is provided on the inner side of the annular prechamber and a second swirler on the outer side of the annular prechamber, the swirlers causing flow to rotate in mutually opposite directions to intensify the vortices imposed by the injectors. The vortices cause a pressure depression to promote some backflow that enhance mixing to: promote complete combustion, produce low emissions, and provide cooling.

The disclosure provides a system and method for production of activated carbon from a coal-originating particulate feed material. Feed material and activating gas are introduced into a reaction chamber, the activating gas being introduced at a velocity above the average terminal velocity of particles within the feed material. Feed material is then entrained in the activating gas such that a recirculating flow path for the feed material is established within the reaction chamber. Activated material may then be recovered from the chamber.

The disclosure provides a system and method for production of activated carbon from a coal-originating particulate feed material. Feed material and activating gas are introduced into a reaction chamber, the activating gas being introduced at a velocity above the average terminal velocity of particles within the feed material. Feed material is then entrained in the activating gas such that a recirculating flow path for the feed material is established within the reaction chamber. Activated material may then be recovered from the chamber.

An annular air swirler configured to receive a fuel injector in a central bore. The swirler has one or more annular channels, defined by radially facing channel walls and having an inlet for receiving compressed air and an axially distal outlet. The channel walls converge inwardly towards the outlet and swirl vanes extend between opposing faces of the walls. The swirler turns incoming air to create a vortex at the channel outlet. An annular cooling apparatus associated with the air swirler is arranged axially adjacently downstream of the channel outlet(s), and includes a skirt portion radially spaced from a converging portion of the outermost channel wall defining a converging portion of a bowed coolant channel. A radially outwardly extending wall connects with the outermost channel wall and, with a face of the skirt portion, defines a radially outwardly extending portion of the bowed coolant channel adapted for increased heat exchange.

An annular air swirler configured to receive a fuel injector in a central bore. The swirler has one or more annular channels, defined by radially facing channel walls and having an inlet for receiving compressed air and an axially distal outlet. The channel walls converge inwardly towards the outlet and swirl vanes extend between opposing faces of the walls. The swirler turns incoming air to create a vortex at the channel outlet. An annular cooling apparatus associated with the air swirler is arranged axially adjacently downstream of the channel outlet(s), and includes a skirt portion radially spaced from a converging portion of the outermost channel wall defining a converging portion of a bowed coolant channel. A radially outwardly extending wall connects with the outermost channel wall and, with a face of the skirt portion, defines a radially outwardly extending portion of the bowed coolant channel adapted for increased heat exchange.

A swirl preburner having a first swirl core defining a first swirl chamber having a first swirl chamber first end and a first swirl chamber second end. The swirl preburner further includes a second swirl core defining a second swirl chamber having a second swirl chamber first end and a second swirl chamber second end. The swirl preburner also includes a mixing element defining a mixing chamber, the mixing chamber surrounding a portion of the first and second chamber at least including the first chamber second end and the second chamber second end.