System and method to predict and control blowout in combustion systems

Abstract

The invention discloses systems and methods for predicting and controlling lean blowout in combustion systems such as turbines, engines and combustors. The systemis configured to detect and predict time of occurrence of blowout using a computerand to take control action by a controllerthrough actuators, to prevent the blowout. The methodinvolves acquiring time series data () of combustion in the combustion system, including acoustic pressure amplitude, chemiluminescence intensity, or global heat release rate, fitting a log periodic power law equation to the time series data (), computing a time of impending blowout using the fit equation (), and controlling the combustion unit () to move away from impending blowout and prevent the blowout. The invention provides for predicting exact blowout times significantly earlier, and to control the combustion unit to prevent blowout, thus enabling reduction in emissions.