Super adiabatic combustion of sustainable aviation fuels: experiments and modeling

The primary goal is to investigate the detailed chemistry of combustion of different sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) suggested for replacing fossil fuels focusing on the formation and abatement of pollutants that could potentially be formed.

The motivation for this is the development of a long-term solution for sustainable and environmentally friendly aviation.

The key research question of the present project is the impact of super adiabatic phenomena on formation of different pollutants.

Overall planning is arranged around several commercially approved SAF, and surrogate mixtures reproducing their physical characteristics.

The work program includes experimental research, development of detailed kinetic models and reduced models suitable for CFD modelling.

The following experiments are envisaged: measurement of the propagation and structure of premixed flames, analysis of the pollutants formed using laser diagnostics including LIF of CO, CH2O, NO and other species. Super adiabatic flame temperature profiles will be acquired using CARS.

Collaboration with foreign universities will make other types of experiments and quantum chemistry calculations available. New kinetic models will be developed and validated using the results of this project and literature data. The work will be conducted at the Div. of Combustion Physics, where experimental setups are available.

The work will be performed by a PhD student, under the supervision of the PI.