Feedback stabilization of a thermoacoustic device with experiments

This paper deploys a recent mathematical tool to predict and prevent thermoacoustic instability (TAI) in a simple combustor. Widely-accepted characteristic of TAI is its time-delayed dynamics which originates from the acoustic coupling terms. Independently from the combustion instability studies, systems specialists have been developing mathematical approaches on similar time-delay problems. This document offers a bridge between the two veins of research. It utilizes the recent mathematical tool called the Cluster Treatment of Characteristic Roots (CTCR) to predict the onset of instability (TAI) for this simple benchmark combustor, Rijke Tube. Beyond prediction, for the operating conditions which already induce an undesirable TAI, this paper proposes a feedback controller design strategy which can recover stability. The suggested control logic is implemented on a test bed and the theoretical results are verified experimentally.