Development of a PLIF Imaging Diagnostic for Turbulent Combustion Applications with Sustained kHz Repetition Rate

The objective of this project was to complete the assembly, validation and optimization of a multi-kHz frame-rate planar Laser-induced fluorescence imaging system that was being developed at the German Aerospace Center - Institute for Combustion Technology and to demonstrate its capabilities by applying it to the study of a well-characterized, turbulent non-premixed jet-flame. The duration of the proposed project was 12 months and work was to be completed in two phases. The first phase of this project involved the assembly, alignment, testing and optimization the various individual components of the system. During this period timing, control and data-analysis software for the system were also to be written. The second phase of the project was to be devoted to the acquisition and analysis of a series of high-framerate 1 - 5kHz, time-resolved planar-LIF measurements of the flowfield of a standard well-characterized, non-premixed, jet-flame. Each of these objectives has been met and significantly surpassed.