A parametric study on the effect of an acoustic field on a spray-fired, Rijke-tube, pulse combustor

A parametric experimental and theoretical study was performed to investigate the effects of an acoustic field on spray combustion characteristics. A Rijke-tube pulse combustor was constructed with variable length and a fixed diameter. A burner was designed for use with both gaseous and liquid fuel. An active control mechanism was implemented to externally control the acoustic field inside the combustor, as it was not possible to sustain natural oscillations with the long spray flame. Active control of the combustor was characterized for gaseous and spray flames applying both indirect control (in-line actuators) as well as direct control using external speakers. The size and velocity distribution of a nonreacting and reacting spray in an actively controlled acoustic field were measured using a two-component phase-Doppler particle analyzer (PDPA). The effects of burner location, frequency, and sound pressure level on the spray size and velocity distribution were studied. Based on the measured trends in the D...