Planar Chemiluminescence Absorption Tomography

En’Urga Inc. will evaluate the feasibility of utilizing Planar Chemiluminescence Absorption Tomography (PCAT) to characterize the combustion process at the exit plane of rotating detonation engines (RDEs). The two key issues that will be addressed during the Phase I work are: (1) the feasibility of non-intrusive determination of planar temperatures and pressures using a high-frequency PCAT system and (2) validation of the diagnostic system in the exhaust plume of an RDE at University of Michigan. Three Phase I tasks are planned to address the feasibility of the proposed diagnostics. The first task is to configure a PCAT system with high-speed linear arrays. The second task is to develop an algorithm to obtain planar temperatures and pressures in the exhaust region of an RDE. The final task is to evaluate the system in an RDE test bed at the University of Michigan. It is anticipated that at the end of the Phase I work, the feasibility of utilizing planar chemiluminescence absorption tomography to evaluate the state of combustion in a RDE at very high frequencies will be fully demonstrated. For Phase II work, a prototype PCAT system that can utilize the same technique inside the combustion chamber in the presence of a bluff body will be fabricated, evaluated, and delivered to the MSFC for use in their test facilities.

The primary NASA application of the proposed emission tomography system is for obtaining validation data from rotating detonation engines. The Phase II prototype instrument that is delivered to NASA can be directly utilized in the test facilities at MSFC. Additionally, the same system can be used in other NASA facilities to study rocket engine nozzles and propulsion components that are critical to NASA’s mission.

There are two major commercial applications for the proposed PCAT system. The first is in the characterization of the combustion process in RDEs. These engines will have to be tested for design validation as well as quality audit purposes. This market is expanding rapidly with the number of papers in this area increasing exponentially.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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