Keywords

soot, laser optics, laser diagnostics, shock tube, soot measurement, acetylene, ethylene, propyne, NNSA

Abstract

The addition of hydrogen and oxygen to a hydrocarbon fuel mixture has a significant effect on its sooting tendencies at high pressures. Understanding the mechanism behind and rates of soot formation is key to proper chemical modeling of fireballs. This research aims to investigate the soot formation rates and soot induction times of several intermediary chemicals found in energetic material (EM) combustion. Three common EM combustion intermediaries, acetylene, ethylene, and propyne are studied. Hydrogen and oxygen are added to the hydrocarbon fuel to observe their effect on parameters such as induction time and total soot yield. A laser absorption spectroscopy system was utilized to measure soot formation time history during experiments. The diagnostic instrument employs a low-noise continuous wave laser at 635 nm. The laser was transmitted through the test section of a shock tube device and its intensity during an experiment was measured. The data was used to determine estimated soot yield and soot induction times. This work will extend the chemical modeling capabilities of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) with an improved understanding of soot formation in fireball conditions.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Summer

Committee Chair

Vasu, Subith

Degree

Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering (M.S.A.E.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Program

Aerospace Engineering - Thermofluids

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

DP0028489

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0028489

Language

English

Release Date

8-15-2025

Length of Campus-only Access

1 year

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Campus-only Access)

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Accessibility Status

Meets minimum standards for ETDs/HUTs

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Restricted to the UCF community until 8-15-2025; it will then be open access.

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