RUI: Acquisition of a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer and Other Instrumentation for the Study of Multicomponent Fuel Film Vaporization at Trinity University

该项目将提供仪器，以支持对通常用于内燃机的非理想燃料混合物组成的薄膜汽化的研究。将使用研究级傅里叶变换红外光谱仪、高速数码相机、稳定的氦-霓激光和压力室来测量蒸发多组分燃料膜的成分和质量随时间的变化。实验研究将提供有关燃料膜燃烧的关键动力学信息，这是成功模拟燃烧过程所必需的。此外，随着内燃机中燃料膜的形成，它们会影响燃料与空气的混合：污染物的排放可能会发生巨大的变化。这项研究将通过以下方式更好地了解燃料膜对发动机污染物排放的影响：1)提高对燃料膜内热和质量传输过程的作用的理解；2)提供汽化过程中不断变化的膜成分的全面表征。这项工作的更广泛的教育方面将包括在多学科研究计划中对本科生和研究生进行设计和分析方面的教育。这将进一步加强三一大学本科生研究的强大传统，并将促进工程科学和化学之间更紧密的关系。

This project will provide instrumentation to support research on the vaporization of thin films composed of non-ideal mixtures of fuels typically utilized in internal combustion engines. A research-grade Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, a high speed digital camera, a stabilized helium-neon laser, and a pressure chamber will be used to measure the composition and mass of vaporizing multicomponent fuel films as a function of time. The experimental research will provide key kinetic information about fuel film combustion, which is necessary for successful modeling of combustion processes. Furthermore, as fuel films form in internal combustion engines, they affect fuel-air mixing: pollutant emissions can be drastically altered. The research will lead to a better understanding of how fuel films contribute to pollutant emissions from engines by: 1) improving the understanding of the roles of thermal and mass transport processes within the films, and 2) providing a thorough characterization of the changing film composition during vaporization. The broader educational aspects of the work will include the education of undergraduate and graduate students in design and analysis in a multidisciplinary research program. This will further strengthen a strong tradition of undergraduate research at Trinity University and will foster closer relations between engineering sciences and chemistry.