Developing Numerical Models for the Combustion and Soot Formation of Alternative Fuels

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As the transportation industry continues to expand and concerns over the environment and climate change continue to rise, combustion-generated soot (black carbon particulate) and carbon dioxide are growing concerns. Soot emissions have been identified as significantly contributing to Arctic thawing; small soot particles in the atmosphere absorb sunlight and warm the air, while larger particles eventually fall to the ground, where their darker colour speeds the melting of snow and ice. Thus, the development of techniques to reduce soot particle formation and emissions remains an important goal of researchers. Carbon dioxide emissions are also a major concern when it comes to global climate change. Carbon dioxide is a necessary by-product of combustion but its emissions have the potential to be reduced through the use of alternative fuels. Biofuels, for example, that are derived from plant matter emit less net carbon dioxide since they absorb and process it while they grow.This research program will use high-performance super-computing to develop novel computer models of the mechanical and chemical processes of combustion and soot formation. The primary goal of the research program is to perfect computational methods of predicting combustion-generated soot particle formation, movement, and destruction, for a range of conventional and alternative fuels, including bio-based fuels. Such methods could be used to generate data that will increase our fundamental understanding of combustion processes and help us understand the potential impact of implementing biofuels in the transportation industry. This will help ensure that newly proposed fuels will not lead to an increase in emissions, and will provide a design tool for engine and fuel development, which can lead to reduced emissions in the future.