Fuel Composition Effects on Ignition and Combustion Processes

This research associateship opportunity through the Army Research Laboratory Research Associateship Program (ARL-RAP) involves fundamental combustion research to gain insight into the ignition process. Candidates will examine a range of fuels in order to characterize the effects of key physical and chemical parameters. Potential diagnostic techniques include rapid compression machines and shock tubes to isolate reaction chemistry; optically accessible reaction chambers and engines to investigate turbulent flow combustion; and detailed laser based diagnostics to probe combustion radical formation. The candidate will collaborate closely with other combustion scientists to create a broader knowledge base of the ignition process across different regimes. This understanding will help enable the creation of advanced Army propulsion systems which can tolerate a wide range of fuel property variations. Research locations include Aberdeen Proving Ground and ARL-Central. The ARL-RAP is designed to significantly increase the involvement of creative and highly trained scientists and engineers from academia and industry in scientific and technical areas of interest and relevance to the Army.