Combustion Condition Identification using a Decision Tree based Machine Learning Algorithm Applied to a Model Can Combustor with High Shear Swirl Injector
This work addresses combustion instability issues for gas turbine engine applications, but it is incremental as it applies an existing machine learning method to a specific combustor setup.
The study tackled the problem of thermoacoustic instability in gas turbine combustors by using a decision tree-based machine learning algorithm to classify stable and unstable combustion conditions based on acoustic pressure and flame imaging data, achieving accurate classification within the tested parameter range.
Combustion is the primary process in gas turbine engines, where there is a need for efficient air-fuel mixing to enhance performance. High-shear swirl injectors are commonly used to improve fuel atomization and mixing, which are key factors in determining combustion efficiency and emissions. However, under certain conditions, combustors can experience thermoacoustic instability. In this study, a decision tree-based machine learning algorithm is used to classify combustion conditions by analyzing acoustic pressure and high-speed flame imaging from a counter-rotating high-shear swirl injector of a single can combustor fueled by methane. With a constant Reynolds number and varying equivalence ratios, the combustor exhibits both stable and unstable states. Characteristic features are extracted from the data using time series analysis, providing insight into combustion dynamics. The trained supervised machine learning model accurately classifies stable and unstable operations, demonstrating effective prediction of combustion conditions within the studied parameter range.