Orbital Technologies Corporation — Department of Defense STTR Phase II: In this Phase I STTR program, ORBITEC and University of Wisconsin-Madison teamed to develo

Description

In this Phase I STTR program, ORBITEC and University of Wisconsin-Madison teamed to develop a simultaneous particle image velocimetry and thermometry (PIV+T) diagnostic for reacting flows. In applications such as gas turbine engines, internal combustion engines, and rocket engines, the dynamics of the turbulent combustion necessitate measurement of both temperature and velocity fields to understand complex phenomena and to validate numerical predications. Typically multiple laser diagnostics are used, such as synchronized PIV and planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF). Using multiple diagnostics makes complex experiments and results in not truly simultaneous measurements. The PIV+T technique developed in this Phase I work combined a PIV technique to measure the velocity field with a novel technique employing luminescence of doped particles to make temperature measurements. The result is truly simultaneous velocity and temperature measurements with a single technique. The Phase I work involved detailed characterization of the luminescence of phosphor particles and a demonstration of the PIV+T technique in a heated jet. The extensive experimental program during Phase II work will include testing in an IC engine, a rocket engine, and in an air-breathing engine. The ultimate result will be a technique that is useful in characterizing turbulent combustion in many applications.