High Speed Emission Tomography for Ground Test Facilities

EnUrga Inc. demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing a mid-infrared hyperspectral imager as a general-purpose ground testing diagnostic for rocket propulsion systems. The two key issues that were addressed during the Phase I research work are: (1) the feasibility of configuring a high speed mid-infrared hyperspectral imager to obtain emission signals from hydrogen, hydrocarbon, and solid rocket plumes, and (2) the feasibility of obtaining spatially and temporally resolved information from these measurements. The Phase I results demonstrated conclusively the ability to track temperature, gas concentrations, and particulate volume fractions from these turbulent plumes. The Phase II research work is focused on building a prototype mid-infrared hyperspectral imager, evaluating the imager for different flame configurations, and delivering the system to NASA. There are six tasks required for completing the Phase II objectives. 1) design and fabricate a hyperspectral imager for delivery to NASA, 2) align and calibrate the imager, 3) develop a graphical user interface for the hyperspectral imager, 4) evaluate the hyperspectral imager and the graphical user interface with laboratory-scale flames at EnUrga Inc., 5) demonstrate the sensor suite at Purdue University and our Phase II partner site, and 6) deliver the fully validated system to NASA Space Stennis Center. It is anticipated that at the end of the Phase II project, the prototype system can be directly used in the Stennis Space Centers test facilities to characterize rocket motors as well as supersonic and hypersonic propulsion systems. En'Urga Inc. demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing a mid-infrared hyperspectral imager as a general-purpose ground testing diagnostic for rocket propulsion systems. The two key issues that were addressed during the Phase I research work are: (1) the feasibility of configuring a high speed mid-infrared hyperspectral imager to obtain emission signals from hydrogen, hydrocarbon, and solid rocket plumes, and (2) the feasibility of obtaining spatially and temporally resolved information from these measurements.  The Phase I demonstrations were completed with four different flame configurations showing it's capability to characterize a wide range of flames.  The two innovative parts of the proposed system are: (1) a mid-infrared hyperspectral imager to measure path integrated radiation emission at high speeds in rocket engine plumes, and (2) an advanced statistical deconvolution method to provide local information from path integrated measurements.  The overall technical objective of the Phase II research is to develop and evaluate a prototype hyperspectral imager for delivery to NASA Stennis Space Center for use in the propulsion testing facilities.  The Phase I results demonstrated conclusively the ability to track temperature, gas concentrations, and particulate volume fractions from these turbulent plumes. Phase II work is focused on building a prototype mid-infrared hyperspectral imager, evaluating the imager for different flame configurations, and delivering the system to NASA.  There are seven tasks required for completing the Phase II objectives. 1) design and fabricate a hyperspectral imager for delivery to NASA, 2) align and calibrate the imager, 3) develop a graphical user interface for the hyperspectral imager, 4) evaluate the hyperspectral imager, and the user interfaces with laboratory-scale flames at En'Urga Inc., 5) demonstrate the hyperspectral imager at Purdue University, and at Sandia National Laboratories, 6) deliver the fully validated system to NASA Space Stennis Center, and 7) complete the final report and initiate Phase III. It is anticipated that at the end of the Phase II project, the prototype system can be directly used in the Stennis Space Center's test facilities to characterize rocket motors and supersonic and hypersonic propulsion systems.

            The hyperspectral imager will provide planar temperature, gas concentration, and particulate volume fraction with high temporal and spatial resolution.  The primary NASA application for the proposed hyperspectral imager is to provide validation data for rocket propulsion systems.  The Phase II customized prototype instrument that will be delivered to NASA can be directly utilized in the propulsion test facility at NASA Stennis Space Center.  The proposed system can also be used for the quality assurance of rocket engines.             The primary commercial application of the hyperspectral imager will be to obtain data in rocket and aircraft engines and exhaust plumes. Such data are required to develop advanced propulsion systems.  Potential customers include both commercial and military aerospace propulsion and aircraft engine organizations. A secondary market is to study combustion in research laboratories.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.