Large-eddy-simulation modeling of the flame describing function of a lean-premixed swirl-stabilized flame

The prediction of thermo-acoustic instabilities is of paramount importance for gas-turbine combustion systems to meet the emission and efficiency targets. To predict the frequencies and amplitudes of pressure oscillations, and as a consequence, their impact on engine reliability, the nonlinear behavior of the system should be studied. An atmospheric lean-premixed combustor has been numerically investigated for validation purposes. A decoupled approach, separating the acoustic behavior and the nonlinear flame response, which is represented in this work by the flame describing function, has been used. As the first step, the flame describing function calculation from large-eddy simulations has been validated, including the effects of flame stretch and heat loss into the turbulence combustion model. Then, frequency-domain calculations using a three-dimensional Helmholtz solver have been carried out, and results have been validated against experimental measurements and a self-excited large-eddy simulation.