Brown Bag Seminar
Thursday, March 16, 2023
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Guggenheim 442
Presenters:
Leah Manuel
J. Coleman Pethel
Dominic Troche
Leah Manuel
Title:
Geometry Optimization for Improved Trajectory of Stardust Return Capsule
Abstract:
An entry vehicle depends on many factors to reach its target landing site. One factor is geometry, which includes parameters like the base radius, nose radius, and cone angle. This project analyzes how much the shape of the Stardust return capsule from 2009 affected its trajectory by optimizing its aerodynamic coefficients during its flight in the hypersonic continuum flow regime and finding how the landing location is affected. The equations for aerodynamic coefficient equations were coded in MATLAB, and the 3D non-planar equations of motion were numerically integrated using the Fourth Order Runge-Kutta method; optimization was performed with JMP software.
Advisor:
Professor John Dec
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J. Coleman Pethel
Title:
Construction of a Pressurized Laminar Flame Burner for Laser Spectroscopy
Abstract:
In partnership with GEAviation, the focus of this research is to use laser spectroscopy to analyze mixture patterns, burn properties, and emission composition inside high pressure, high flow velocity environments to simulate that of a turbine engine combustor. The goal of this study is to further understand fuel-air mixtures and mixing patterns within such an environment to achieve more complete combustion resulting in better fuel economy. For this particular section of the project, a pressurized laminar flame burner was constructed at the Ben T Zinn Combustion Laboratory to test and calibrate the laser spectroscopy equipment and results before implementing spectroscopy procedures at the GEAviation facility in Albany, NY. This presentation will focus on the design, construction, and implementation of the laminar flame burner at Georgia Tech. Additionally, a brief update on the current status and results of the project and its implementation at GEAviation will be provided.
Advisor: Professor Adam Steinberg
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Dominic Troche
Title:
Laser Absorption Spectroscopy Methods for Measuring 2D Temperature Fields in Turbulent Flow
Abstract:
Measurements of the thermodynamic qualities of flow within a combustor are often limited in accuracy due to the inherent disadvantages of placing thermocouples in or near the working fluid. Non-intrusive measurements provided by purely optical methods hold a number of advantages over these more traditional temperature measurement techniques, in that line-of-sight data acquisition allows for near isolation from the extreme conditions characteristic of a pressurized burner, protecting equipment and preserving the sensitive behavior of the flow itself. The gold standard for high signal-to-noise ratio temperature readings from such environments is diode laser Wavelength Modulation Spectroscopy (WMS), a method that improves upon the more established Direct Absorption (DA) spectroscopy by offloading temperature data to the harmonics of a high-frequency sinusoid, which can be normalized to provide extremely robust data even in pressures that break down the DA approach. The objective of this project is to scale this technology massively, placing a matrix of lasers across the exit of a combustor and using the resultant two-axis data to reconstruct the two-dimensional temperature and pressure field of a highly turbulent cross-section of combustor flow.
Advisor:
Professor Adam Steinberg