Categorization of thermoacoustic modes in an ideal resonator with phasor diagrams

A recent study (Yong, Silva, and Polifke, Combust. Flame 228 (2021)) proposed the use of phasor diagrams to categorize marginally stable modes in an ideal resonator with a compact, velocity-sensitive flame. Modes with velocity phasors that reverse direction across the flame were categorized as ITA modes. The present study extends this concept to growing and decaying modes. In other words, with the method proposed, it is possible to distinguish whether a given thermoacoustic mode – regardless of its stability – should be categorized as acoustic or ITA. The method proposed does not rely on any parametric sweep, but on the angle relating the velocity phasors across the flame. This method of categorization reveals distinct regions in the complex plane where acoustic and ITA eigenfrequencies are localized. Additionally, we analyze the medium oscillation at the flame location to construct a physically intuitive understanding of the proposed categorization method.