Dr. Justin Hardi
The research group for Combustion Dynamics focusses on topics related to dynamical processes in rocket engines. These include the experimental investigation and modelling of combustion instabilities in thrust chambers and transient flow phenomena in propellant supply systems.
Work on the problem of combustion instabilities focusses on the interaction of acoustic disturbances and combustion processes. This interaction is captured quantitatively in specially developed research combustors using conventional and high-speed optical diagnostics. The details of energy transfer from combustion into the acoustic field are then studied using in-house developed data analysis routines. Numerical modelling supports the interpretation of the experimentally observed processes.
In propellant supply systems, the opening and closing of valves in supply lines causes non-steady fluid- and thermodynamic conditions. The goal of work on this topic is to measure the resulting dynamic flow processes and phase changes and to develop predictive models to describe these phenomena.