This award supports Professor Kalyanasundaram Seshadri of the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), to collaborate with Professor Norbert Peters of the Institute for Mechanics at the Technical University of Aachen (RWTH), Germany. The principal objective of their joint research is to clarify the influence of strain imposed by the fluid flow on the rate of formation of benzene in laminar flames. They will focus their research on diffusion flames, and use as test fuels methane, ethane and propane. Experimental measurements will be made at UCSD to characterize the structure of the reaction zone and the values of strain rates beyond which the yellow luminous zone in the flame disappears. The German group will carry out the numerical calculations to determine the structure of the flame for various values of the rate of strain. The two groups will work together in the asymptotic analysis to determine the structure of the reaction zone and predict the rates of formation of benzene in the flame. This division of labor will effectively exploit the complementary strengths of the two research groups. This research is directly related to the formation of soot, as well as benzene, in diffusion flames. Soot reflects as well as exacerbates reduced efficiency in combustion engines. An improved understanding of the mechanisms of the formation of benzene and soot could suggest improved techniques for reducing pollutant formation and improving efficiency in diesel and gas turbine engines.
