Thermoacoustic instabilities are a critical problem in the development of lean premixed combustion systems. Coupling between acoustic perturbation, unsteady heat release rate and temperature inhomogeneities may lead to instabilities, which are detrimental for combustor lifespan and cycle operability.
This work focuses on the 1-D network model approach, which is proved to correctly predict the unstable acoustic modes of complex combustion systems.
The thesis first focuses on the analytical aspects of the jump conditions and, in particular, the physical mechanisms to be considered when treating the heat source as a compact discontinuity. Indeed, premixed flames and heat exchangers are based on different heat release mechanisms and need to be treated differently in an acoustic network. Linear 1-D acoustic relations are derived for moving heat sources (e.g. premixed flame) and heat sinks at rest (e.g. heat exchangers).
By means of these equations, the relations between upstream velocity, air/fuel ratio perturbations, unsteady heat release rate and downstream acoustics and entropy generation have been clarified.
The second part of this thesis is specifically focused on the acoustic behavior of a real-life heat exchanger. Similarly to flames, heat sinks can also trigger thermoacoustic instability effects, since they exhibit unsteady heat transfer rate in presence of acoustic perturbations. First, numerical study of a real-life heat exchanger is carried out, in order to analyze the impact of the unsteady heat release rate and the geometry on the total scattering behavior. Finally, a thermoacoustic system featuring a 2D flame and a cold heat exchanger in cross-flow is investigated numerically.
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Thermoacoustic instabilities are a critical problem in the development of lean premixed combustion systems. Coupling between acoustic perturbation, unsteady heat release rate and temperature inhomogeneities may lead to instabilities, which are detrimental for combustor lifespan and cycle operability.
This work focuses on the 1-D network model approach, which is proved to correctly predict the unstable acoustic modes of complex combustion systems.
The thesis first focuses on the analytical...
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