The aim of this study is to use the reflected shock technique to measure ignition delay times of various reactive gaseous mixtures using a shock tube (ST). The compression time scales inside STs are typically much shorter than reaction time scales. In STs the autoignition characteristics of gas mixtures behind the shock can be measured at higher temperatures. Once installed the measurements from ST will be utilized for developing a robust chemical kinetic mechanism assisted by quantum chemistry calculations for fundamental reaction systems that can be used reliably in the design of next generation combustion devices. 

The current stoves available in Indian markets fail to meet the stringent norms set by the World Health Organization for indoor air environment. At CFEL we are directing efforts towards utilization of the porous medium combustion technology for cheaper and (environmentally) clean domestic applications. Guided by numerical investigations and optimizations, detailed experiments are carried out in a prototype porous radiant burner with different ceramic structures to verify the numerical predictions and thus to recommend the stoves fired by gaseous, liquid and solid fuels. 

The primary goal is to use a rapid compression machine (RCM) facility for conducting ignition delay time measurements for various renewable as well as hydrogen-rich fuels. This machine will help in investigating the combustion chemistry at gas turbine and engine relevant conditions. Unlike shock tube there is no interference problem in RCM, and thus an order of magnitude larger experimental duration can be attained in RCM which will foster the development of reliable chemical kinetic mechanism at low temperature combustion conditions. Both the ST and RCM facilities can be employed to acquire a database of reliable chemical kinetics measurements for various non-carbon fuels, H2-rich fuels, and alcohols including ethanol, methanol and isobutanol, and their blends with gasoline.