Active Control of Combustion Instability in a Liquid–Fueled Low–NOx Combustor

Abstract

A practical active control system for the mitigation of combustion instability has been designed and demonstrated in a lean, premixed, single -nozzle combustor at realistic engine operating conditions. A full -scale engine fuel nozzle was modified to incorporate a simple fuel flow actuator. Results indicate that the system was capable of reducing pressure fluctuations by 82% (15 dB or 5.6X) while maintaining or reducing NOx and CO emissions levels.