Measurement of time histories of stable intermediates during first stage ignition of n-heptane and its two isomers in a shock tube

We report the first shock tube measurements of formaldehyde (CH₂O) during the first stage ignition of n-heptane, 2-methylhexane and 3,3-dimethylpentane, in highly diluted fuel/oxygen mixtures in the pressure range of 7–10 atm and temperature range of 700–880 K. Combined time histories of all carbonyl (–C = O) species, CO and fuel were also measured simultaneously in an effort to study the impact of fuel structure on the concentration and the rate of evolution of first stage ignition products. Of the three isomers studied in this work, n-heptane was found to be the fastest, while 3,3-dimethylpentane was found to be the slowest. The differences in the time scale of formation, and plateau concentration of the intermediates between the isomers across the entire range of test conditions suggests a strong dependency of the measured time histories to fuel structure. These species therefore act as markers of the Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) behavior of fuels and can be used as targets for developing semi-empirical, hybrid chemistry models of complex, multi-component petroleum derived gasoline and jet fuels. The time histories reported in this work should prove very useful in the refinement of detailed kinetic models of n-heptane, and development of rate rules for branched alkane isomers.     

Shock tunnel flow visualization using planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging of NO and OH

Temporal sequences of planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) images of several high-speed, transient flowfields created in a reflection-type shock tunnel facility were acquired. In each case, the test gas contained either nitric oxide or the hydroxyl radical, the fluorescent species. The processes of shock reflection from an endwall with a converging nozzle and of underexpanded free jet formation were examined. A comparison was also made between PLIF imaging and shadow photography. The investigation demonstrated some of the capabilities of PLIF imaging diagnostics in complex, transient, hypersonic flowfields, including those with combustion.Nomenclature A spontaneous emission rate - A _las cross sectional area of laser sheet - B laser absorption rate - C _opt constant dependent on optical arrangement, collection efficiency, etc. - D nozzle throat diameter - E _p laser pulse energy - f _J Boltzmann fraction of absorbing state - g spectral convolution of laser and absorption lineshapes - k Boltzmann constant - M _s incident shock Mach number - N noise, root-mean-square signal fluctuation - P static pressure - P ₁ initial pressure of test gas in shock tube - P _a free jet ambient pressure - P _s stagnation pressure - Q electronic quenching rate of excited state - S PLIF signal - t time between shock reflection and image acquisition - T static temperature - T _s stagnation temperature - _a mole fraction of absorbing species     

A statistical model of horizontal auditory localization performance data

Horizontal localization experiments are used to evaluate the listener's ability to locate the position of a sound source, and determine how signal characteristics affect this ability. These experiments generate circular, bimodal, and repeated data that are challenging to statistically analyze. A two-part mixture of wrapped Cauchys is proposed for these data, with the effects of signal type and position on localization bias, precision, and front-back confusion modeled using regression. The model is illustrated using mid- (1.0-2.0 kHz) and high- (3.0-6.0 kHz) frequency narrow band noises localization collected among ten normal hearing listeners.     

Evidence for the importance of trapped particle resonances for resistive wall mode stability in high beta tokamak plasmas

Active measurements of the plasma stability in tokamak plasmas reveal the importance of kinetic resonances for resistive wall mode stability. The rotation dependence of the magnetic plasma response to externally applied quasistatic n=1 magnetic fields clearly shows the signatures of an interaction between the resistive wall mode and the precession and bounce motions of trapped thermal ions, as predicted by a perturbative model of plasma stability including kinetic effects. The identification of the stabilization mechanism is an essential step towards quantitative predictions for the prospects of "passive" resistive wall mode stabilization, i.e., without the use of an "active" feedback system, in fusion-alpha heated plasmas.     

Recent advances in laser-based diagnostics for gaseous flows

Laser-based diagnostic techniques offer unique capabilities for experimentation on gaseous flows. In this paper, we overview recent progress of two concepts: spectrally resolved absorption and planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) imaging. The absorption measurements utilize tunable diode lasers (TDLs) as light sources. Recent TDL applications include a wavelength-multiplexed system for rapid temperature sensing for use in combustion control, and absorption probes for time-resolved measurements of temperature, velocity and species concentrations in a hypersonic shock tunnel. Recent PLIF work includes applications to supersonic, exothermic flowfields relevant to ram accelerators, and development of a method for imaging temperature in air flows using acetone seeding.     

Planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging in shock tube flows

The planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) imaging method was used to perform flow visualization and quantitative planar thermometry in shock tube flow fields using toluene as a fluorescence tracer in nitrogen. Fluorescence quantum yield values needed to quantify PLIF images were measured in a static cell at low pressures (<1 bar) for various toluene partial pressures in nitrogen bath gas. Images behind incident and reflected shocks were taken in the core flow away from regions affected by boundary layers. Temperature measurements from these images were successfully compared with predicted values using ideal shock equations. Measured temperatures ranged between 296 and 800 K and pressures between 0.15 and 1.5 atm. The average temperature discrepancies between measurements and the predicted values behind the incident and reflected shocks were 1.6 and 3.6%, respectively. Statistical analyses were also conducted to calculate the temperature measurement uncertainty as a function of image resolution. The technique was also applied to the study of more complex supersonic flows, specifically the interaction of a moving shock with a wedge. Measured temperatures agreed well with the results of numerical simulations in all inviscid regions, and all pertinent features of the single Mach reflection were resolved.     

IR laser absorption diagnostic for C2H4 in shock tube kinetics studies

An IR laser absorption diagnostic has been further developed for accurate and sensitive time‐resolved measurements of ethylene in shock tube kinetic experiments. The diagnostic utilizes the P14 line of a tunable CO₂ gas laser at 10.532 μm (the (0 0 1) → (1 0 0) vibrational band) and achieves improved signal‐to‐noise ratio by using IR photovoltaic detectors and accurate identification of the P14 line via an MIR wavemeter. Ethylene absorption cross sections were measured over 643–1959 K and 0.3–18.6 atm behind both incident and reflected shock waves, showing evident exponential decay with temperature. Very weak pressure dependence was observed over the pressure range of 1.2–18.6 atm. By measuring ethylene decomposition time histories at high‐temperature conditions (1519–1895 K, 2.0–2.8 atm) behind reflected shocks, the rate coefficient of the dominant elementary reaction C₂H₄ + M → C₂H₂ + H₂ + M was determined to be k₁ = (2.6 ± 0.5) × 10¹⁶exp(?34,130/T, K) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1 with low data scatter. Ethylene concentration time histories were also measured during the oxidation of 0.5% C₂H₄/O₂/Ar mixtures varying in equivalence ratio from 0.25 to 2. Initial reflected shock conditions ranged from 1267 to 1440 K and 2.95 to 3.45 atm. The measured time histories were compared to the modeled predictions of four ethylene oxidation mechanisms, showing excellent agreement with the Ranzi et al. mechanism (updated in 2011). This diagnostic scheme provides a promising tool for the study and validation of detailed hydrocarbon pyrolysis and oxidation mechanisms of fuel surrogates and realistic fuels. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 423–432, 2012