Control of Combustion Instability Using Electric Fields
Abstract
Combustion instability is a significant issue in the development and operation of gas turbines and rocket engines due to its potential risk to cause massive pressure and heat release fluctuations, leading to fatal structural damage and even explosions. The complex interactions between the flame and acoustic fields make predicting combustion instability challenging, often resulting in numerous trial-and-error attempts during the design process. This research proposes a novel method to control and suppress combustion instability using electric fields. Flames exhibit weakly ionized plasma characteristics through chemi-ionization, generating ionized products. Under an electric field, the accelerated charged particles transfer momentum to neighboring molecules, resulting in the formation of an ionic wind. By adjusting the electric field direction and intensity, a controllable body force can be exerted on the reacting flow, potentially enhancing flame stability and mitigate flame oscillation. To achieve this, we will sequentially investigate the interactions between the flame, acoustic field, and electric field to develop appropriate control strategies. Initially, the study will focus on flame-electric field interactions in the absence of acoustic perturbations, examining how electric fields influence flame structure and stability. Following this, the effects of electric fields on the flame response to acoustic perturbations will be investigated. Quantitative analysis will be performed by applying speaker-generated acoustic perturbations and measuring the resulting heat release fluctuations. Based on these analyses, strategies for applying electric fields to mitigate combustion instability will be developed and subsequently applied to control self-exciting combustion instability. The anticipated outcomes include a comprehensive understanding of flame-acoustic-electric field interactions and the development of innovative techniques for managing combustion instability. This research will have a significant impact on the energy and space propulsion industries by offering new methods to stabilize combustion instability, thereby providing a foundational solution for enhancing stability across various combustion systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 06, 2025
- Source ID
- FA23862514014
Entities
People
- Bok Jik Lee
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Seoul National University
- United States Air Force