MAE Seminar – Combustion Processes Study using a Shock Tube combined with Laser Absorption Spectroscopy

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MAE Seminar – Combustion Processes Study using a Shock Tube combined with Laser Absorption Spectroscopy

Dear Undergraduate and Graduate Students, Faculty, and Staff,
You are invited! UF Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering’s Seminar Series
This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy some coffee, cookies, and captivating talks! These sessions feature amazing guest speakers, from academic trailblazers and industry movers to our very own faculty candidates showing off their expertise and fresh perspectives.
Come for the treats, stay for the engaging discussions, and connect with fellow MAE enthusiasts. Everyone is welcome!

January 14, 2025, at 12:50pm, Location: MAE-A 303

Claire Gregoire, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Texas A&M University

Abstract
To improve the understanding of the combustion chemistry of multitudinous applications, spanning from many kinds of transportation fuels, the fire hazard of electric vehicles (EV), and rocket propellants, a shock-tube is used to create combustion-like conditions and absorption spectroscopy enables the detection of various specific molecular species. The measurements of species time histories using laser absorption technique provide a meaningful database to tune the reactivity of detailed kinetics models, as it permits to identify key elementary reactions. Tremendous efforts to increase model fidelity led to excellent mechanisms’ agreement with experiments and improved reliability in predicting fuel combustion. 1) Our work on pentene isomers is now considered as the most reliable model for these hydrocarbons and can be used by the industry to design better engines. 2) The flammability from the EV was addressed through incremental studies, and, as far as we know, there is no other model available in the literature able to predict the combustion properties of a battery electrolyte with a validated fire suppressant. 3) A newly developed HCl laser diagnostic permitted to obtain the first HCl quantification of a propellant surrogate extensively used in propulsion, representing unique target data to develop models that are much required.

Biography
Dr. Grégoire is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University within the Turbomachinery Laboratory. She received her Ph.D. with Prof. Petersen in the same group and her research entails the experimental study on combustion processes while developing detailed chemical kinetics model that are crucial for sustainable transportation energy and safety of next-generation lithium-ion batteries. Dr. Grégoire is an expert in laser absorption spectroscopy and optical diagnostics, specializing in their application in shock tube experiments to investigate reaction chemistry at conditions relevant to advanced combustion systems. The development of a HCl laser absorption diagnostic to investigate the combustion kinetics of solid rocket propellants was her final thesis’ project. Her Ph.D. work has led to the publication of 22 peer-reviewed scientific articles, and she is firmly determined to continue contributing to the chemical kinetics community.

MAE Faculty Host: Ryan Houim