In this study, the
time series data for sound pressure and heat
release fluctuations were analyzed to establish the stability window
of the propane-oxyflames under different operating conditions. The
CO2 dilution level and the combustor power density were
varied at a fixed global equivalence ratio to investigate the thermoacoustic
instability of the flames. The phase difference between the fluctuations
and the instantaneous Rayleigh index reveals whether the heat release
and pressure fluctuations are coupled, which can result in the amplification
of the sound pressure fluctuations. Results showed a negative Rayleigh
index and uncoupled fluctuations at low (<40%) and high (>60%)
CO2 dilution with coupled fluctuations and sound pressure
amplification at intermediate CO2 dilution levels. A peak
of varying magnitude appeared in the frequency domain at 465 Hz for
both the heat release and pressure fluctuations in the coupled mode.
The Strouhal number at different CO2 concentrations revealed
a range of vortex-shedding frequencies (300–1000 Hz), suggesting
that the coupled mode is vortex-induced. Phase space reconstruction
for the sound pressure fluctuations was carried out and it is observed
that although the pressure fluctuations are amplified in the coupled
mode, limit cycle amplitudes have not been reached. The recorded coupling
and uncoupling of the oscillations associated with flame-vortex interactions
at certain CO2 concentrations provides a valuable insight
on the combustor’s dynamics and toward the development of nonpremixed-oxy-flames
combustors.