Abstract

Increasing energy demands, and the subsequent need for cleaner energy conversion to combat climate change, creates a challenge that requires both short- and long-term solutions. To that end, new energy conversion cycles such as the Allam-Fetvedt cycle uses the combustion products (CO2) as the working fluid to increase efficiency and reduce emissions. There are several challenges regarding the implementation of these cycles, namely the extreme combustor conditions required (approximately 300 bar). The new High Pressure, Extended Range Shock Tube for Advanced Research (HiPER-STAR) was designed, built, and characterized to study combustion at these conditions to aid in the development of these sCO2 systems, among other extreme environments such as rocket chamber conditions. Further, development of chemical kinetics models used to predict combustion in these conditions typically assume reactions only in the homogeneous bulk gas region, while in these systems there are stagnation regions where hot gases are in contact with a heated wall for extended durations. Heterogeneous reactions are historically difficult to study, as typically there are coupled gas dynamic and transport-related complications that affect the reactions. A shock tube is an ideal location to mitigate and decouple these effects. The current work explores reactive and non-reactive end wall effects at high pressure, an area of interest for implementation by industry and resultantly where better efficiency can be achieved. Further designs have been completed and fabrication is underway to improve the capabilities of the facility to better decouple thermal wall effects and catalytic surface effects, as well as improve other combustion diagnostic capabilities of the facility.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2022

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Vasu Sumathi, Subith

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Program

Aerospace Engineering

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0009077; DP0026410

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0026410

Language

English

Release Date

May 2025

Length of Campus-only Access

3 years

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Campus-only Access)

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Restricted to the UCF community until May 2025; it will then be open access.

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