Thermodynamics and Combustion Laboratory

The Thermodynamics and Combustion Laboratory (TCL) is a research group within the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Syracuse University.

The main thrust of our research is to advance computer-aided engineering of clean and efficient combustion technologies. We do this in a number of ways. Firstly, we carry out fundamental experiments aimed at characterizing the ignition properties of alternative and conventional fuels. We measure characteristic chemical time scales and concentrations of key chemical compunds that occur during combustion. These data sets are used to rigorously constrain combustion chemistry models. Secondly, we develop ways of simplifying the complex chemical kinetic models that result from fundamental combustion research with the aim of making these easier to implement in practical combustion analysis. The third aspects concerns carrying out numerical experiments with the various models to ensure that critical combustion behavior is capture at reasonable computational costs. These models and techniques are useful in the design of advanced combustion systems such as internal combustion engines, gas turbines and process burners.

We are also interested in other areas of applied thermodynamics related to energy transduction. We perform thermodynamic analysis of energy systems, especially biomass-based concepts, new combustion engine concepts and energy cogeneration strategies.

Our short-term research projects are focused on the following problems:

• Combustion chemistry of alternative fuels - experiments and modeling

• Chemical kinetic model reduction

• Laser ignition

• Turbulence-chemistry interactions: evaluation of strategies through numerical experiments

• Thermodynamic analysis of energy systems

Shock tube for combustion chemistry studies

Facility for laser ignition studies