Thermofluids Seminar: “Influence of Fuel Additives on the Dynamic Combustion Behavior of Liquid Rocket Propellants” by Mark A. Pfeil

Abstract: Dynamic, unstable combustion environments are influenced by a variety of properties from fluid dynamics to acoustics.  One of those properties, the combustion behavior of the fuel itself, can be modified through the use of fuel additives.  Our work looks specifically at two types of additives for this purpose, nano-aluminum and ammonia borane.  Initial droplet experiments indicate that nano-aluminum had little to no effect on combustion behavior of hydrocarbon fuels while ammonia borane participates actively throughout the combustion process.  Similar trends are observed in a liquid rocket single element combustor.  Combustion characteristics are notably influenced by the addition of ammonia borane to ethanol, resulting in a bimodal temporal and spatial unsteady heat addition.  These changes in combustion dynamics cause the combustor to experience unstable combustion for more geometric configurations.

Bio: Dr. Mark A. Pfeil graduated with a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University in 2008, 2012, and 2014 respectively.  His graduate work entailed research across all areas of rocket propellant combustion, including liquid, solid, hybrid, and hypergolic propellants.  In 2015, he joined the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center where he continues his research efforts in rocket propellants and energetic materials.

Date/Time:
Date(s) - Apr 05, 2017
11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location:
38-138 Engineering IV
420 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles CA 90095