“Thermal ignition using moving hot particles” by Stephanie Coronel, California Institute of Technology

Abstract: The study of thermal ignition is key to predict, prevent, mitigate and assess the risk of accidental fires and explosions by heated surfaces. This seminar details an experimental investigation of ignition of n-hexane-air mixtures (a surrogate for kerosene) using moving hot particles of various diameters and surface temperatures. What are the particle parameters that lead to ignition? What is happening in the gas in the vicinity of a hot particle? Pyrometry, and high-speed visualization using interferometry were implemented in a novel experimental setup to answer these questions.

Bio: Stephanie Coronel is a PhD candidate in the Explosion Dynamics Laboratory led by Prof. Joseph Shepherd at the California Institute of Technology. Her current research focuses on ignition in thermal boundary layers, specifically using optical diagnostics to make quantitative measurements of the reactive gas temperature adjacent to hot surfaces. She received her B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2009 and an M.S. in Aeronautics from Caltech in 2010.

Date/Time:
Date(s) - May 13, 2016
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Location:
47-124 Engineering IV
420 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles CA