Fuel Conversion and Clean Combustion Lab
Reducing the CO2 trace of combustion technologies is a crucial component of a sustainable energy portfolio. In order to explore the scientific fundamentals that underlie such technologies, researchers in the Combustion Laboratory in KU address a series of technologies such as biofuel utilization, electrostatically manipulated atomization and combustion, and “solar” fuels. Recently, and within the hydrogen theme in RICH, a strong focus has developed on carbon-less fuels such as ammonia and its mixtures with hydrogen and hydrogen peroxide. The research methodology comprises experiments in idealized burners that are interfaced with optical and laser diagnostics and are used in tandem with high-fidelity computations in order to explore flame aerodynamics, emissions, and ignition dynamics. A recent collaboration with local industrial partners aspires to make a connection between scientific fundamentals and practical combustion devices by installing the first high-pressure combustion testing facility in the UAE.
The major pieces of equipment in the laboratory include:
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- Atmospheric, water-cooled, counter-flow burner for non-premixed flames
- Electrostatically manipulated atomizers and burners
- High-voltage AC/DC generator for versatile AC manipulation
- Double-pulsed, 10-Hz, Nd-YAG laser with PIV capability
- 4W CW Ar-Ion laser
- Intensified CCD camera
- 2000 fps high-speed camera
Fig. 5. Counterflow burner with laser diagnostics in the Combustion Lab at RICH.