Research Proposal

(Shaharukh Khan, Aerospace Engineering student IIT Kanpur)

Statement of purpose: I am highly motivated towards research in field of combustion. So I want to
propose my research on Active and passive control of thermoacoustic instability and physical
mechanisms behind the thermoacoustic instability. I find this topic as a challenge to make low NOx
turbine engine.
Introduction: In several applications of propulsion, power generation and heating, processes involve
continuous combustion. Characteristics of these processes is a dynamic behavior denoted as
thermoacoustic instability. In these application instability often arises due to a coupling between the
unsteady heat release and the acoustic waves. This unsteadiness creates pressure oscillations which are
responsible for many mechanical failure, high acoustic noise and component melting. Many active
control experiments have been done.
Research Questions: There are many questions in mind of researches regarding this:
1. What is thermoacoustic instability?
2. What are the reasons or physical mechanisms behind this instability?
3. What are the consequences of thermoacoustic instability?
4. How can we reduce emission of NOx?
Literature review: So much research has been done to counter these challenges. According to these
research on thermoacoustic instability, it occurs due to coupling between unsteady components of
pressure and heat release rate. When unsteady heat release generates acoustic waves, these reflect
from the boundaries of the combustor to produce flow unsteadiness near the flame. This may cause
more unsteady heat release, for example through local changes in the fuel-air ratio or through
hydrodynamic instabilities. Because of successive increase in energy of acoustic wave, amplitude of
pressure oscillations increases. High amplitude of pressure oscillations result in many unwanted
consequences in combustor.
For active control of instability, speaker have been used to suppress pressure in combustor.
Hypothesis: In last decade many experiments have been done to reduce thermoacoustic instability using
active and passive control. One solution might be the use of different types of composite materials to
make combustion chamber, which will be helpful to reduce unsteady heat reduction. We know that
pressure oscillations are a result of this unsteady heat reduction. In my experiment I can use these
pressure oscillations as my feedback. I will try to make an open loop feedback controller. Other solutions
include making a suitable resonance frequency control system which would be helpful to control
frequency of pressure oscillations.
To reduce emission of NOx, I will focus on full combustion of fuel.
Passive control can be done by modifying the fuel injection system or the geometry of combustor.
I would like to work on this problem in my summer work. Primarily, I want to work on modification of
fuel injection. If its not possible then I will be happy to explore my knowledge in other research projects
related to this problem.
Expected results: Using different types of composite material we might be able to find such material
which is suitable for less thermoacoustic instability. We can find a geometry of combustor which is good
to reduce instability.