Ezekiel M. Bugay
(Advisor: Dr. Wenting Sun]

will defend a master's thesis entitled,

Characterization of Nanoparticle Soot Size

Distribution from an Aero-Derivative Combustor

by use of Half-Mini DMA

On

Friday, August 4th at 8:00 a.m.
Montgomery Knight Building 317
 

Abstract
              Developing carbon nanoparticles resulting from flames, known as nascent soot, has come under increasing scrutiny with regards to combustion engines and systems because of its direct contribution to non-volatile particulate matter (nvPM) emissions, which are a major global pollutant. A realistic Rich-Burn, Quick-Mix, Lean-Burn (RQL) aero-derivative combustion test rig was constructed with the intent of measuring and characterizing sub-10nm soot nanoparticle size distributions utilizing a state-of-the-art differential mobility analyzer (DMA, Half-Mini #p model) at a variety of operating conditions. Methodologies, design alterations, and results are proposed for global equivalence ratios between 0.1-0.2 and combustion pressures between 35-85 psi. The data obtained suggests qualitative evidence that higher combustion pressures result in generally less species above 6nm, until 85 psi when a widening of the size distribution was noted. Future work is suggested to refine the methodology and collect a larger library of data to improve certainties.

Committee

• Dr. Wenting Sun– School of Aerospace Engineering (advisor)
• Dr. Adam M. Steinberg– School of Aerospace Engineering
• Dr. Ellen Yi Chen Mazumdar– School of Mechanical Engineering