Energy & combustion research getting a boost with new software
The Energy and Combustion Laboratory (ECL), led by Dr. Madjid Birouk in Mechanical Engineering, aims to better understand the fundamental combustion processes using advanced laser-based measurements techniques. The ultimate objective is to help develop the base knowledge for tomorrow’s highly efficient and clean/green power generation systems (e.g., gas turbine, internal combustion engines, industrial burners, etc). The ECL is equipped with several modern test rigs along with non-intrusive/laser-based and other measurement diagnostics, as well as computational tools. Several fundamental studies for a range of combustion systems that use fossil and alternative/bio-based fuels are underway.
Dr. Birouk’s research team is now using AVL FIRE, a well-recognized 3D-CFD simulation software designed for complex physical and chemical processes in internal combustion (IC) engines. The fully intuitive graphical user interface of AVL FIRE and the embedded automatic meshing technology for complex, moving IC engine geometries made it easy to use with minimum training. AVL FIRE is being used to perform research on the combustion performance and emissions characteristics of dual-fuel engine under a wide range of operating conditions.