9302321 Queiroz This U.S.-Brazil Cooperative Science award will support the collaboration of Mardson Queiroz of Brigham Young University and Joao Carvalho of the Brazilian National Space Research Institute (INPE). The project aims to investigate the effect of atomization parameters (such as nozzle Sauter-mean diameter and size spectrum) and frequency of oscillation on spray combustion instability excitation in Rijke burners. The researchers will prepare INPE's existing combustor to burn sprays, as well as design and build a smaller combustor at Brigham Young. With an existing laser system, they will characterize the spray injectors in terms of droplet mean diameter and size spectrum; work on a theoretical model for particulate behavior in a pulsating flow; and perform tests under different combustor lengths (different frequencies of oscillation), oxidant/fuel ratios, and mass flow rates for spray nozzles with different mean droplet sizes and size spectra. Both the U.S. and Brazilian groups will benefit from new data on liquid fuel combustion instability and the possible use of results for designing high-efficiency liquid waste incinerators. The project will also prepare the two groups for joint training of graduate students in the two different environments. ***
