Experimental data-driven multi-phase flow simulations

The overarching objective of the associated Emmy Noether Research Group is to advance the fundamental understanding of interactions between turbulent flow, reaction chemistry and multiple phases that govern the pollutant formation and fuel flexibility of combustion concepts (GEPRIS). The acquired understanding is of paramount importance for the development of cleaner, more sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies. Nearly emission-free operation becomes feasible when used in combination with carbon-neutral synthetic liquid fuels. To effectively minimize the climate impact of combustion applications, the reduction of non-CO₂ effects (i.e. NO_X and particulates) is equally important. For example, in the aviation sector non-CO₂ effects exhibits twice the global warming potential compared to the emitted CO₂ itself. The complexity of the inherent nonlinearities and multilateral interactions on multiple scales is accompanied by a lack of quantitative data.

For this purpose, our SimTech associated research aims to close this gap by interlinking the advantages of experimental and numerical approaches. In particular, we measure processes that are experimentally accessible via advanced laser-based diagnostics (e.g. primary fuel spray atomization), detect discretizable regions and assign boundary and initial conditions via our ML-suite and fill the scalar space beyond the measured quantities via numerical simulations (e.g. vapour concentrations). The methodology facilitates a quantitative and, in comparison to individually applied methods, a more comprehensive description of the involved physico- and thermochemical processes by providing a “super-resolution” of the experimental data in scalar space.

The objective is to delineate complex causal chains such as the effect on primary atomization on sequential evaporation and subsequently soot formation and oxidation that cannot be described with the required accuracy or statistical convergence using experimental or numerical approaches separately. The gained understanding shall support the development of fuel and load flexible combustion concepts that enable close-to emission-free operation when used in combination with carbon-neutral liquid fuels.