Soot-radiation interaction

Despite its many advantages and potential to be the dominant source of sustainable energy in the long term, the use of concentrated solar radiation (CSR) in thermal power generation remains costlier than many alternative energy sources. One proposed approach is to reduce infrastructure, and hence cost, associated with solar thermal energy is to combine a solar receiver and combustor into a single device. Such processes would result in the direct interaction of concentrated solar radiation on a flame or fuel, which has been demonstrated to have a significant influence on the combustion processes. 

The aim of this project is to provide a detailed understanding of the impact of intense radiation on the soot morphology within flame. Such understanding is needed to optimise the afore-mentioned emerging suite of clean energy technologies. The research will be mainly experimental and will involve the use of advanced optical diagnostics and direct sampling techniques.

Figure: TEM image of soot acquired from a laminar ethylene-air flame, with  (NI-flame) and without external irradiation (I-flame).

This project is now completed and the findings are accessible through the following published articles:

Thesis

1. Wang C., “External Irradiation Effect on the Growth and Evolution of In-Flame Soot Species”, Masters by Research Thesis, UNSW Sydney, 2016.

Journals

1. Wang C., Chan Q.N., Kook S., Hawkes E.R., Lee J. and Medwell P.R., “External irradiation effect on the growth and evolution of in -flame soot species”, Carbon, 102: 161 –171, 2016. DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2016.02.039.
2. Wang C., Chan Q.N., Zhang R., Kook S., Hawkes E.R., Yeoh G.H. and Medwell P.R., “Automated determination of size and morphology information from soot transmission electron microscope (TEM) generated images”, Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 18:1 -15, 2016.   DOI: 10.1007/s11051-016-3434-x.

Key contact: Dr Shaun Chan

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Email address: qing.chan@unsw.edu.au