A reduced-order mean-field synchronization model for thermoacoustic systems

TL;DR

This paper develops a low-order, analytically tractable model based on Kuramoto oscillators to predict thermoacoustic instability transitions, validated against experiments in different combustor configurations.

Contribution

It introduces a reduced-order model using the Ott-Antonsen ansatz to effectively predict thermoacoustic instability transitions in combustors.

Findings

Model accurately predicts transitions to instability.

Validates against bluff-body and swirl-stabilized combustors.

Captures both continuous and abrupt transitions.

Abstract

The synchronization phenomena in thermoacoustic systems leading to oscillatory instability can effectively be modeled using Kuramoto oscillators. Such models consider the nonlinear response of flame as an ensemble of Kuramoto phase oscillators constrained to collectively evolve at the rhythm of acoustic fluctuations. However, these high-dimensional models are analytically intractable and computationally expensive. In this study, we reduce the dimensionality of such a high-dimensional model and present a low-order, analytically tractable model for predicting transitions to thermoacoustic instability. We reduce the dimensionality of the phase oscillator model coupled to the acoustic field using the Ott-Antonsen ansatz. Using the reduced-order equations, we estimate the transitions to thermoacoustic instability and compare these transitions with the experiment. We validate the model for two combustor configurations, viz., the bluff-body stabilized dump combustor and the swirl-stabilized annular combustor. The low-order model accurately captures the continuous and abrupt secondary transitions observed experimentally in these distinct combustors.