Chemical Engineering 641
Combustion Modeling
Professor:
T. H. Fletcher, 350K CB
Credit: 3 hours
Catalog Description:
Theory of combustion systems and quantitative procedures for computing
performance of combustion chambers. Applications include turbulent combustion
of gases, sprays, and particulates.
Course Objective:
The objective of this course is to provide students with tools (i.e.,
familiarity with computer programs) to analyze complex combustion
systems. In addition, experience will be gained in analyzing results of
computer calculations. An overview of experimental methods for
obtaining data to evaluate such calculations will also be presented.
Recommended Texts:
These three texts will be used in the course, and would be a valuable asset to each student's library (but
not required):
L. Douglas Smoot and Philip J. Smith, Coal Combustion and Gasification, Plenum, 1985.
Kuo, K. K., Principles of Combustion, Wiley, 1986.
Bartok, W. and A. F. Sarofim, eds., Fossil Fuel Combustion, Wiley, 1991.
Secondary Sources:
1. L. Douglas Smoot and David T. Pratt, editors, Pulverized-coal Combustion and
Gasification, Plenum, 1979.
2. L. D. Smoot (editor), Fundamentals of Coal Combustion for Clean and Efficient Use, (Coal
Science and Technology 20), Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1993.
3. S. V. Patankar, Numerical Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow, McGraw-Hill, 1980.
A copy of the lecture notes will be available for photocopying purposes in the
Chemical Engineering department office (350 CB). Students will be responsible
for their own photocopying costs.
Prerequisites:
Instructor consent. This class is primarily for graduate students studying the
field of combustion.
Class Format:
Much of the work is anticipated to be on the computer; class will therefore consist
of two lectures per week and one computer lab period for demonstrations and class
projects. Student participation in planning and developing course materials is
essential. Focus will be on understanding and using existing computer codes in
meaningful ways rather than on writing new programs.
Class Projects:
Three class projects (plus one mini-project) will be required during the
semester. Each project is to involve a separate computer program, such as
ChemKin, Fluent, PCGC-3, and the mini project involves an equilibrium code (such
as NASA-Lewis). Projects may either be industrially-oriented (posing a
question) or classroom oriented (code improvement). Projects will be presented
in class. Teams of 2 to 3 students are required on each project, and a short
written report is required for each project. A different partner is required
for each project. Projects must be approved after submitting a 1-page proposal.
Papers will be submitted according to the guidelines on the following page.
Grades for longer papers will be assessed a 5% penalty per page. Occasionally
students have set up the lectures and lab demonstrations for different portions
of the course; this service has counted as the project in that area of the
course. Please let me know if you are qualified to help set up portions of the
course.
Class Discussion and Homework:
This is an advanced graduate level course. It is expected that students will
come to class having prepared themselves thoroughly on the topic to be discussed
that day. Significant classroom discussion is strongly encouraged, including
prepared presentations by students when appropriate. It is expected that
students spend a minimum of two hours preparation for each class period, and
much of this will be spent on class projects. Therefore, individual homework
assignments will not be given, but 10% of the grade will be on class
preparedness and participation.
Exams:
Two exams will be given during the semester, one midterm and one final.
Exams will be normalized so that the high score is 100%. These exams will be oral
exams, 20 to 30 minutes in length. These exams will test the student knowledge
of both theory and how to use and interpret the computer programs.
Grading:
Since small homework problems will generally not be given, a large portion of the grade will be
assigned to the research paper and the classroom presentation. The final grade will be based on the
following:
10% Class Participation
20% Midterm Exam
50% Class Projects
20% Final Exam
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