Active control in combustion systems with vortices

The paper reviews active vortex combustion control studies and focuses on practical applications. The vortex combustion control method requires that the fuel and other reactants are injected periodically into air vortices at timing and location which ensure optimal mixing and combustion. Advanced laser diagnostics were employed to study the interaction between the turbulent vortical mixing and the combustion process. Subsequently, control methods were developed to optimize these processes. The control system stabilizes the air vortices in the combustion chamber and determines the timing of fuel injection into the air vortex during the cycle of its formation. The systems in which the method was applied include a soot reduction control system with potential application to combustion of sooting high energy fuels, gaseous and liquid fuel based hazardous waste incinerators, and liquid fueled ramjets.