Model-based control has been successfully implemented on an atmospheric pressure lean premixed combustion rig. The rig incorporated a pressure transducer in the combustor to provide a sensor measurement, with actuation provided by a fuel valve. Controller design was based on experimental measurement of the open loop transfer function. This was achieved using a valve input signal which was the sum of an identification signal and a control signal from an empirical controller to eliminate the non-linear limit cycle. The transfer function was measured for the main instability occurring at a variety of operating conditions, and was found to be fairly similar in all cases. Using Nyquist and H∞-loop shaping techniques, several robust controllers were designed, based on a mathematical approximation to the measured transfer function. These were implemented experimentally on the rig, and were found to stabilise it under a variety of operating conditions, with a greater reduction in the pressure spectrum than had been achieved by the empirical controller.
