MECH 558
Combustion
Syllabus
Fall 2015
Catalog Description: Combustion processes: explosions,
detonations, flame propagation, ignition, generation of
pollutants in moving and stationary energy conversion
systems.
Textbook: An Introduction to Combustion: Concepts and
Applications, Stephen R. Turns, Third Edition, McGraw Hill,
2011.
Instructor: Anthony J. Marchese
High speed OH laser induced fluorescence of a
Office: ENG A103H
turbulent inverse diffusion flame.
Phone: (970) 491-2328
Email: marchese@colostate.edu
Office Hours: M, W 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (or email me to make an appointment)
Technical Objectives: Combustion refers to the study of chemically reacting fluid systems.
Thus, this course utilizes all of the fundamental tools acquired during the study of Chemistry,
Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Fluid Mechanics. Upon completion of this course, each
student will be able to:
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Calculate adiabatic flame temperature and combustion products using the concepts of
chemical equilibrium.
Derive the Arrhenius rate expression from simple kinetic theory.
Explain the explosion limits of the H2/O2 system using chemical kinetic arguments.
Explain qualitatively the chemical oxidation mechanism of alcohols, alkanes and aromatics,
and explain the NTC region in alkane oxidation via elementary chemical kinetic arguments.
Assemble detailed chemical kinetic mechanisms and model zero and one-dimensional
chemically reacting systems using CHEMKIN software.
Calculate premixed laminar flame speed using phenomenological arguments and perform
complex laminar flame calculations using CHEMKIN software.
Determine the burning rate of a liquid fuel droplet.
Explain the formation mechanisms of NOx, HC, CO and PM in combustion systems and how
to design systems with low pollutant formation.
Grading Policy:
Homework and Class Participation (35%). Homework will be assigned on a periodic basis.
Homework assignments will be in the form of problems or short projects.
Midterm Exam (30%). A written midterm exam will be given approximately half-way through
the semester
Final Exam (35%). A comprehensive oral final exam will be given during the final exam
week.
Attendance Policy and Rules
Attendance at each class is required. Class participation is a key component of the course.
Notebooks and calculators should be brought to each class. Cell phones must be turned
off, unless you have an emergency situation then please set to vibrate.
Information
Information on this class (including this syllabus) will be posted in the web at:
http://www.engr.colostate.edu/~marchese/combustion11
Course Outline
Week
Text
Ch. 1
Ch. 2
Topics
Course Overview; Combustion
Terminology and Gas Mixtures
Ch. 2
Chemical equilibrium; Calculation of
adiabatic flame temperature.
Ch. 2
Chemical equilibrium; Calculation of
adiabatic flame temperature using NASA
CEA Code
Sep. 14
Sep. 16
Sep. 18
Sep. 21
Sep. 23
Sep. 25
Ch. 3
Mass Transfer
Ch. 4
Introduction to Chemical kinetics. Global
vs. elementary reactions. Derivation of
Arrhenius rate expression from kinetic
theory. Chain reactions.
6
Sep. 28
Sep. 30
Oct. 2
Ch. 5
Hydrogen- Oxygen explosion limits. Chain
branching. Carbon Monoxide Explosion
Limits.
7
Oct. 5
Oct. 7
Oct. 9
Ch. 5
App.
2A
Nomenclature in Organic Chemistry
Oct. 12
Oct. 14
Oct. 16
Ch. 6
/Ch. 7
Coupling Chemical and Thermal Analysis
of Reacting Systems
1
2
3
4
5
8
Date(s)
Aug. 24
Aug. 26
Aug. 28
Aug. 31
Sep. 2
Sep. 4
Sep. 7 – no class
Sep. 9
Sep. 11
Homework
Oxidation characteristics of hydrocarbons:
alcohols, alkanes, aromatics.
CHEMKIN transient homogeneous H2/O2
calculations
9
10
11
12
13
Oct. 19
Oct. 21
Oct. 23
Oct. 26
Oct. 28
Oct. 30
Nov. 2
Nov. 4
Nov. 6
Nov. 9
Nov. 11
Nov. 13
Nov. 16
Nov. 18
Nov. 20
14
Nov. 23 - 27
15
Nov. 30
Dec. 2
Dec. 4
Dec. 7
Dec. 9
Dec. 11
16
17
Dec. 15-19
Notes
CHEMKIN plug flow reactor and engine
calculations
Ch. 8
Premixed Laminar Flames
Ch. 8
Premixed Laminar Flames
CHEMKIN Modeling of Premixed Laminar
Flames
Ch. 9
Laminar Diffusion Flames
Fall Break
Ch. 10
Droplet Evaporation and Combustion
Ch. 15
Environmental Considerations: Smog,
Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), Particulate
Matter
Oral Final Exams
Midterm, Date
TBA