TCL Research Projects

The jet-in-crossflow configuration is a common injection configuration for Lean Premixed Prevaporized (LPP) and Lean Direct Injection (LDI) combustors. The objective of this project is to develop a model for active combustion control to characterize the fuel distribution of modulated liquid jets in crossflow. Diagnostic techniques include Mie scattering and stop-action photographs. The experiments are conducted in an atmospheric pressure facility at air velocities up to 110m/s and air temperatures up to 300°C using distilled water, acetone, and 4-heptanone as test liquids. Modulation is achieved using a standard automotive fuel injector at frequencies up to 100 Hz.

Recent Publications:

Stenzler, J.N., Lee, J.G., and Santavicca, D.A., “Penetration of Liquid Jets in a Crossflow,” AIAA 2003-1327, 41st Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, NV, 2003.

Stenzler, J.N., Lee, J.G., and Santavicca, D.A., “Effect of Modulation of the Fuel Transfer Function of a Liquid Jet in a Crossflow,” Eastern States Section of The Combustion Institute, Hilton Head, South Carolina, December 3-5, 2001.

Name: Esteban Gonzalez

Position: M.S. Mechanical Engineering - Graduated 2005

Project Title: Systematic measurements of global CH*, CO 2* and OH* chemiluminescence of turbulent fuel lean premixed flames

Project Sponsor: DoE Subcontract with SCIES, Clemson University

Future Project: Combustion instabilities in lean premixed gas turbine combustors.

The measurement of heat release and pressure fluctuations is of great importance in the study of combustion instabilities in lean premixed gas turbine combustors. Usually a linear relationship between heat release and the intensity of chemiluminescence from species such as CH*, CO 2* and OH* is the base of the heat release measurements. The two objectives of this project are: 1) To experimentally investigate how parameters like combustor velocity, inlet temperature, equivalence ratio, swirl number, and fuel distribution affect the chemiluminecence intensity 2) Determine if the global chemiluminescence intensity from CH*, CO 2* and OH* will be a good indicator of heat release for a given range of the parameters mention above.

Penn State Dump Combustor

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Experimental setup for jet-in crossflow	Stop action photographs showing the difference in atomization between an acetone spray (upper) and a water spray (lower) at the same crossflow velocity and momentum flux ratio [note: injection is steady-state]