The filtered-x LMS(FX-LMS) algorithm has been applied to the active noise control(ANC) system in an acoustic duct. This algorithm is designed based on the FIR(finite impulse response) filter, but it has a slow convergence problem because of a large number of zero coefficients. In order to improve the convergence performance, the step size of the LMS algorithm was modified from fixed to variable. However, this algorithm is still not suitable for the ANC system of a short acoustic duct since the reference signal is affected by the backward acoustic wave propagated from a secondary source. Therefore, the recursive filtered-u LMS algorithm(FU-LMS) based on infinite impulse response(IIR) is developed by considering the backward acoustic propagation. This algorithm, unfortunately, generally has a stability problem. The stability problem was improved by using an error smoothing filter. In this paper, the recursive LMS algorithm with variable step size and smoothing error filter is designed. This recursive LMS algorithm, called FU-VSSLMS algorithm, uses an IIR filter. With fast convergence and good stability, this algorithm is suitable for the ANC system in a short acoustic duct such as the intake system of an automotive. This algorithm is applied to the ANC system of a short acoustic duct. The disturbance signals used as primary noise source are a sinusoidal signal embedded in white noise and the chirp signal of which the instantaneous frequency is variable. Test results demonstrate that the FU-VSSLMS algorithm has superior convergence performance to the FX-LMS algorithm and FX-LMS algorithm. It is successfully applied to the ANC system in a short duct.