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Petersen Research Group

Texas A&M University College of Engineering

Gas Dynamics & Chemical Kinetics

For nearly two decades, our group has been actively conducting research in Gas Dynamics and Chemical Kinetics. Our experimental facilities and expertise allow us to cover a wide range of fuels and conditions, making our results of interest for various industries. Global chemical kinetics measurements, such as ignition delay time in shock tubes and laminar flame velocity in a combustion vessel, are important global combustion parameters that apply directly to many practical devices, such as automobiles and gas turbines. We have been conducting such measurements for today’s fuels (natural gas, gasoline, jet and diesel fuels) and tomorrow’s fuels (alternative fuel blends for gas turbines, biofuels). We also look at the interactions between these fuels and pollutants and impurities such as NOx, NH3, and H2S and are always trying to improve models with measurements using advanced spectroscopic diagnostics.

Since we are continuously striving toward making better experiments, shock-tube physics is also always a relevant topic in our laboratory. Our work in this area leads to a better understanding of these physical phenomena and, thus, better control of our experiments. For example, such insight allows us identify non-ideal effects associated with the study of combustion phenomena at longer test times (i.e., > 1 ms).

Finally, while we are trying to both maximize the benefits of energy production via combustion and to simultaneously reduce its footprint due to associated emissions (greenhouse gases and pollutants), a large part of our research portfolio is also devoted to process safety with regards to fire and explosions. The combustion kinetics of many fire suppressants has been investigated by our research group over the last decade, in a quest to find suitable replacements to ozone-depleting halons. Physical aspects are investigated too, with research conducted on transition from deflagration-to -detonation, basic shock propagation, and innovative aspects such as shock propagation over dust layers.

The following areas cover the research activities of our group on Gas Dynamics & Chemical Kinetics. Please follow the links for more information.

  • Shock-Tube Physics
  • Shock-Tube Kinetics
    • Ignition Delay Time
    • Speciation
  • Chemical Kinetics Modelling
  • Fundamental Flame Propagation
    • Laminar Flame Propagation
    • Turbulent Flame Propagation
  • Detonations and Explosions

Research

  • Gas Dynamics & Chemical Kinetics
    • Shock-Tube Physics
    • Shock-Tube Kinetics
    • Chemical Kinetics Modelling
    • Fundamental Flame Propagation
    • Detonations and Explosions
  • Rocket Propellants and Energetics
  • Optical Diagnostics and Spectroscopy
  • Additional Research

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