Experimental study of carbon-free combustion

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Project Description

A major goal of combustion research is to reduce emissions and minimize the harmful impact of energy production and transportation on the environment. Advancements in combustion sciences enabled strong reduction of NOX, SOX and particulates. The challenge for the next decade is reduction of carbon dioxide. One strategy is to completely remove carbon from the fuel, using carbon-free hydrogen carrier such as ammonia. Combustion of ammonia is not well understood, and no detailed information on the flame of ammonia-air flames is available. In this project the student will perform 1D Raman measurements of temperature and major species in ammonia flames in collaboration with a postdoc or a Ph.D. student.

Program - Mechanical Engineering

Division - Physical Sciences and Engineering

Center Affiliation - Clean Combustion Research Center

Field of Study - Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical Engineering or Applied Physics

About the
Researcher

Gaetano Magnotti

Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Professor Magnotti investigates sustainable combustion solutions to decarbonize the energy and the heavy-duty transportation sector.

At the core of Professor Magnotti's research is the development of novel, cutting-edge, laser diagnostics methods for measurements of temperature, and major and minor species in reactive flows. Areas of particular interest are the development of Raman/Rayleigh scattering, high-precision, kHz rate, pulse-burst laser diagnostics, and quantitative laser-induced fluorescence.

By applying advanced laser diagnostics to combustion test cases ranging from small laminar flames to meter-long turbulent jet flames, his group obtains unprecedented insight into the combustion physics of carbon-free and carbon-neutral fuel. Current active research areas include the combustion of ammonia, and hydrogen at atmospheric and elevated pressures, oxy-fuel combustion in supercritical CO₂, and supersonic combustion.

Through imaging and laser diagnostics in optically accessible, heavy-duty internal combustion engines, Professor Magnotti's group investigates novel strategies to increase engine efficiency, including pre-chamber assisted combustion for ultra-lean operation, and isobaric combustion. Upcoming projects focus on heavy-duty internal combustion engines fueled by carbon-free (hydrogen and ammonia) and carbon-neutral (methanol) fuels.

Desired Project Deliverables

The student will learn the fundamental of laser spectroscopy, and will gain hands-on experience in the operation of ammonia burners, and advanced laser diagnostics. He will acquire and analyze unique experimental datasets, and advance the understanding of combustion of ammonia-air flames.