ME 140: Combustion Processes (3 units)
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
Fundamentals of combustion, flame structure, flame speed, flammability, ignition, stirred reaction, kinetics and nonequilibrium processes, pollutant formation. Application to engines, energy production and fire safety.
COURSE PREREQUISITES
105, 106, and 109. 106 and 109 may be taken concurrently.
TEXTBOOK(S) AND/OR OTHER REQUIRED MATERIAL
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Required text: "Combustion Engineering",
G.L. Borman and K. W. Ragland, 1998 McGraw-Hill.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The course provides an introduction to the subject of
combustion, covering a broad range of topics
important to the fields of energy
conversion, engines, pollution and fires.
It consists of classroom lectures and
laboratory demonstration. It treats the
fundamental processes occurring in combustion systems
and emphasizes on technological-problem solving skills.
The laboratory demonstrations provide practical
experience with real combustion systems.
The course also uses computer programs to aid the students in the
calculations and analysis, especially in thermodynamics
and chemical kinetics.
DESIRED COURSE OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course, students shall be able to:
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Understand and calculate the stoichiometry, adiabatic flame temperature and heat of combustion of a fuel and oxidizer mixture.
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Understand the role of elementary and global reactions. Calculate reaction rates.
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Know how to use computer codes (e.g. Cantera, STANJAN) to solve combustion problems.
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Understand and calculate the ignition characteristics of a fuel and oxidizer mixture: flammability limits, self-ignition.
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Understand and calculate the structure and properties of a premixed flame: propagation speed, thickness, quenching distance, and minimum ignition energy.
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Understand and calculate the structure and properties of a diffusion flame: height, lift-off distance and blow-off limit.
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Understand the formation of pollutants from hydrocarbon combustion
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Understand the operation of practical systems, specifically, furnaces and boilers, spark ignition and diesel internal combustion engines, and gas turbines
TOPICS COVERED
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Nature of combustion.
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Types and characteristics of fuels.
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Thermodynamics: Heat of reaction and adiabatic flame temperature.
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Chemical Kinetics: Chemistry of combustion.
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Elementary and global reactions.
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Premixed flames: Laminar flame propagation.
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Flame speed and flammability.
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Ignition, extinction and quenching.
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Laboratory experiments with the ignition and propagation of premixed flames.
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Diffusion flames: Gaseous diffusion jets and flames flame heights.
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Turbulent flames.
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Environmental impacts: Pollutants and its generation paths.
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Laboratory experiments with a Droplet Combustion: Droplet sprays.
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Evaporation and burning of droplets.
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Real combustion systems: Gas-fired furnace, burners.
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Premixed charge engines.
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Diesel engines.
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Gas turbines.
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Alternative engines.
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About ten laboratory demonstrations covering: Computer-aided analysis with Cantera, bomb calorimeter, ignition of premixed mixtures, premixed flames propagation, flash and fire points, diffusion flames, Burke-Schumann flames, pool fires, internal combustion engine, spray combustion, gas turbine combustor.
CLASS/LABORATORY SCHEDULE
Three hours of lecture and one hour of discussion per week.
CONTRIBUTION OF THE COURSE TO MEETING THE PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT
This course provides experience with real combustion systems (measurement devices, flames, engines, turbines) and hands on experience with computer-aided analysis of combustion problems including thermodynamics and chemical kinetics.
RELATIONSHIP OF THE COURSE TO ABET PROGRAM OUTCOMES
An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
and the broad education necessary to understand the impact of
engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental,
and societal context.
A knowledge of contemporary issues.
An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT PROGRESS TOWARD COURSE OBJECTIVES
Homework/laboratory and class-participation 20%,
mid-terms 40%, final exam 40%. Participation
in class and discussion sessions is strongly encouraged.
PERSON(S) WHO PREPARED THIS DESCRIPTION: C. Fernandez-Pello
