FAA Aviation Mechanic Powerplant (AMP)Turbine EnginesEasy
A technician is comparing combustion chamber designs used in modern turbofan engines. Which combustor design uses a single continuous liner that completely surrounds the turbine shaft, rather than several individual chambers?
- ACan-annular combustor
- BReverse-flow can combustor
- CAnnular combustor
- DCan-type combustor
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Annular combustor
The annular combustor consists of a single continuous liner that surrounds the turbine shaft, giving a lighter, shorter, and more uniform combustion pattern than can-type or can-annular designs. Most modern turbofan engines use this configuration.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Can-annular combines individual liners inside a common annular case, still not a single continuous liner.
- B. Reverse-flow describes airflow direction, not the liner configuration.
- D. Can-type uses several individual separate chambers, not one continuous liner.
Annular Combustor
A combustion chamber design using one continuous liner surrounding the turbine shaft, providing even temperature distribution and reduced weight.
- Used in most modern turbofan engines
- Single continuous liner around the shaft
- Lighter and shorter than can or can-annular types
Memory trick: CAN, CAN-ANNULAR, ANNULAR — think 'Cans get Annular over time' as engines evolved.