Projects at osu

heat flux measurement in fire conditions

Research Mentor

Office: 543 Engineering North

Phone: 405-744-9517

Email: haejun.park@okstate.edu

Research Problem and Objectives

Commercially available water-cooled heat flux gauges have been traditionally used in extreme heat conditions but presented limitations, such as a cumbersome water flow set-up, fragile thermocouple connections, and a relatively high price. The heat flux gauge in the development, shown in the figure, has demonstrated improved convenience and good measurement accuracy. However, the sensor design needs to be optimized to reduce its size for its use in SmaPP. This project focuses on characterizing and quantifying the change in heat transfer characteristics around the black metal plate.

Student Research Projects and Activities

This project will give the student invaluable numerical and experimental research experience using critical software such as  MATLAB and LabVIEW and associated data acquisition hardware. A cone calorimeter in the Fire Safety Lab at OSU DET will be used to generate heat fluxes up to 100 kW/m2, and students will make, calibrate, and test the gauges and calculate the incident heat fluxes. Necessary safety training to use the cone calorimeter will be provided to the students.  


Heat flux sensor developed by Dr. Park's research group.

Required qualifications and skills