NASA 1996 SBIR Phase I

PROJECT TITLE : Optical Monitor for Combustion Efficiencies in SCRAMJET Pulse Facilities (7117-160)

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

Continued development of SCRAMJET engines requires in-situ measurements of combustion efficiency. Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop a compact, non-intrusive optical instrument to detect spatially distributed H2O concentrations and temperatures at the combustor exit, thereby providing determinations of the combustion efficiency as limited by mixing and chemistry. The instrument detects the infrared thermal emission from H2O and measures the concentration and exhaust temperature at the combustor exit plane. The instrument would use thermoelectrically cooled detectors which are suitable for field deployment or integration into a flight instrument. In addition, the measurement would be designed to be compatible with particulate laden flows such as are common in high enthalpy pulsed facilities. Phase I will demonstrate the concept and Phase II would develop and produce a deliverable instrument.

The proposed R&D will produce a combustion effluent diagnostic instrument with a variety of commercial applications and demonstrate and validate technology for future commercial diagnostic and testing services.

Dr. W. Terry Rawlins
Physical Sciences Inc.
20 New England Business Center
Andover, MA 01810-1077

Physical Sciences Inc.
20 New England Business Center
Andover, MA 01810-1077