Keywords

Spectroscopy, Detonation, Nitromethane, Aluminum, Emissions

Abstract

The doping of conventional liquid fuels has been a topic of interest in the research community due to the potential for increased energy density and improved performance in oxygen-deficient environments. One of these proposed fuels is nitromethane doped with micron-sized aluminum powder. This work is focused on early spectroscopic measurements of each of these constituent fuel parts in a post-detonation environment that aims to mimic the real-world temperatures and pressures seen in explosives that are not typically replicated in experimental facilities. Spectroscopy was chosen as the primary diagnostic technique for these experiments because it can non-invasively probe the relatively harsh environment. At the same time, a photodetector with a bandpass filter and pressure transducers were used to compare and provide context to the data obtained by the spectrometer. The experiments were conducted in a detonation tube at UCF, with the detonation environment driven by hydrogen-oxygen ignition. Emission spectroscopy data was collected for the baseline detonation environment, nitromethane and aluminum, each individually, using a Teledyne Instruments HRS-500 Spectrometer, a tool that can resolve light intensity by wavelength. A detailed post-processing technique for raw spectrometer data is presented, in which it is possible to extract time-resolved temperature measurements from the light intensity of the detonation and post-detonation environment at different wavelengths using temperature-dependent simulations of the molecules formed during the fuel decomposition. The results presented here are used to characterize the burning of these fuel components to aid the development of numerical models that can be used to quickly evaluate the fuel’s applicability in engines and explosive development.

Completion Date

2025

Semester

Spring

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

Identifier

DP0029368

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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