The Combustion Laboratory

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Droplet/Spray Combustion

 Spray Combustion
Investigator: Martin B. Linck

This study investigates the effects using steam in air-assist atomizers on droplet atomization, combustion and emission using kerosene as the fuel. The use of steam is anticipated to have several beneficial effects, including enhanced droplet vaporization, and reduced NO, soot formation, and combustion time. This will be of particular importance in the use of less volatile fuels in commercial combustion devices. Several sophisticated diagnostic techniques are being used on the flame, including planar laser induced fluorescene (PLIF) for the detection of OH and NO, and laser induced incandescence (LII) for soot. Phase Doppler Partical size Analyzer (PDPA)is used to determine information on droplet size, velocity and their distributions. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gas analyzers are used to determine information on gas species concentration at various spatial positions within the flames.



Spray Combustion Facility

The Spray Combustion Facility Lab allows examination of flow, thermal and chemical behavior of all kinds of fossil and future fuels using state-of-the-art laser diagnostic technologies.  
Example projects include: 
        •    Passive Control of Spray Flames 
        •    Active Control of Spray Flames 
        •    High Energy Density Fuel Spray Flames 
        •    Advanced Combination of Liquid Fuels for Power Applications.



Passive Control of Spray Flames

Objectives:
        A) To control the structure of spray flames
        B) To determine the effect of swirl and flow distribution in the burner on spray flame structure    
        C) To quantify the effect of droplet characteristics and distribution in fuel sprays on flame 
                stability and combustion performance
The facility includes:
      1. Direct Photography

      2. Phase Doppler Interferometery (PDI)

      3. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)

      4. Gas Emission Analyzer

      5. Noise Level Analyzer

      6. Heat Flux Distribution

      7. Intermediate Species Analyzer by ICCD Camera

 
Spray Combustion Facility 




Effect of Swirl and Flow Distribution in the Burner on Spray Flame Structure


Double Pulse Imaging Technique for PIV
Fuel Spray Flame
(Any flow distribution as well as swirl, co- or counter-, can be introduced in the burner)




Droplet Characteristics Transport and Distribution Effects in Fuel Sprays on Flame Stability and Combustion Performance


Long Fuel Spray Flame
Short, Intense Fuel Spray Flame

Spray Flame Data (Any flow distribution as well as swirl, co- or counter-, can be introduced in the burner)




 

Last Edited: May 13, 2006