Nonlinear/chaotic analysis, modelling and control of combustion instabilities due to vaporizing sprays

A discrete dynamic model accounting for both combustion and vaporization processes is developed. In terms of different bifurcation parameters relevant to either combustion or evaporation, various bifurcation diagrams are presented. Furthermore, the governing process Lyapunov exponent is calculated and employed to analyze the stability of the particular dynamic system. The study has shown conclusively that the evaporation process has a significant impact on the intensity and nonlinear behaviour of the system of interest, vis-à-vis a model accounting for only the gaseous combustion process. Furthermore, a particular nonlinear control methodology is employed to control the chaotic behaviour displayed by the particular aperiodic motions observed. This algorithm is intended to be implemented for control of combustion instability numerically and experimentally to provide a basis for some of the control methodologies employed in the literature. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.