Acetone PLIF & Droplet Vaporization under Asymmetric Conditions:

My main research interest is to document droplet vaporization behavior under asymmetric conditions. A novel Circular Couette Flow Reactor (CCFR) is used to impose asymmetric heating and strong velocity gradients on vaporizing acetone droplets. Using a Vibrating Orifice Aerosol Generator (VOAG), monodispersed droplets in the range of 20 to 40 micrometers are injected into the CCFR. Data will take the form of fluorescence images using the Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) diagnostic method. An Nd:YAG laser will produce a laser beam at 266nm which is converted into a thin horizontal sheet and directed to the test section of the CCFR. The laser sheet will excite and cause the acetone droplets to fluoresce. A CCD camera will then capture filtered acetone vapor fluorescence images and post processing of these images will allow asymmetry under different conditions to be parameterized.

I am currently involved in calibrating pressure and temperature dependences of acetone fluorescence and setting up the CCFR.