Effect of entropy waves on the thermoacoustic instability of choked outlet combustion chambers

Abstract

Thermoacoustic instability is a major issue in aero-engine and gas turbine combustion chambers, especially for the case of lean premixed combustion. The instability is caused by the interaction of acoustic waves with unsteady heat release. As considering the accelerated entropy waves in the system, the entropy effect on the acoustic waves cannot be ignored, which will further modify the thermoacoustic instability. Recent researches have shown that the entropy waves can be generated by the steady heat sources or temperature gradients, which can exclude the interference of unsteady heat release factors in instability analysis. In this study, the effect of entropy waves on the thermoacoustic instability of the combustion chamber model with choked outlets is investigated by constructing a low-order acoustic network model. New modes introduced by entropy waves, called as the entropy acoustic modes (EA modes), are investigated by a steady heat source. Then the unsteady heat release is considered, and the effect of entropy waves on different modes and the coupling behavior of these modes are analyzed comprehensively. It is found that some modes are jointly affected by the flame, entropy waves as well as the acoustic waves, which are called as the entropy thermoacoustic modes (ETA modes). Moreover, the modal frequencies of the intrinsic thermoacoustic instabilities modes (ITA modes) are changed remarkably due to the introduction of entropy waves. In addition, the entropy wave dispersion and dissipation show a non-negligible effect on the thermoacoustic instability.