AE Brown Bag Seminar

Friday, February 2

11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

Guggenheim 442

Michael Davis

John Fergusson

Michael Hartin

Michael Davis

TBA

John Fergusson

Title:

CFD Analysis of a 2D Rotating Detonation Engine Model

Abstract:

Detonation processes involve combustion reactions characterized by a supersonic movement of the flame front. These processes exhibit superior thermodynamic efficiency compared to the more commonly known deflagration (subsonic combustion) processes used in modern engines. Consequently, there is a growing interest in developing engines that employ detonation as their primary reaction mechanism, such as rotating detonation engines (RDEs). In RDEs, a continuous and indefinite detonation travels within a circular annulus.

However, numerous challenges, including combustion instabilities and other poorly understood phenomena, plague many of these engines. These issues are influenced by a wide array of factors, ranging from the RDE's injection pressure to its circumference. Therefore, the objective of the research presented here is to construct a functional 2D "unwrapped" model of an RDE using ANSYS Fluent. This model will serve as a virtual sandbox, allowing for an in-depth exploration of the internal processes and underlying physics within the RDE.

Advisor:

Dr. Tim Lieuwen

Michael Hartin

Title:

Rotor Blade Bending Stiffness Verification

Abstract:

This talk will give a brief overview of the RAVEN project followed by an explanation of a bending stiffness model of carbon fiber rotor blades created by previous researcher. Due to the nature of the RAVEN project, it is essential that this model is experimentally verified. The primary focus of the talk will be presenting my concerns about the model, the experiment I developed to test it, and the results that came from the experiment.

Advisor:

Dr. Brian German