In recent years, the numerical modeling of chemically reacting flows has become profoundly important - it is required, for example, in the design of combustion engines such as gas-turbines or reciprocating engines, as well as the development of fuel cells, process controls for chemical reactors, and the understanding of accidental fires.

For nearly all combustion devices, for instance, the most difficult design challenge is the simultaneous optimization of efficiency, stability, and pollutant emissions. The complex interactions between these processes are not yet sufficiently well understood - for even the simplest examples, such as a candle flame, successful numerical simulations have yet to be done. The physical complexity and intricate coupling of fluid dynamics, chemical reactions, evaporation, and radiation in such simple cases are typical of the more complex processes occurring in combustion or energy conversion in fuel cells. Numerical modeling of all kinds of chemically reacting flows requires multi-disciplinary research.

The successful modeling of chemically reacting flows will lead to a better understanding of the complex physics occurring inside energy conversion devices such as combustion engines or fuel cells. Successful models and simulations may then contribute, for example, to the design of highly optimized energy and propulsion systems. In the Computational Energy Sciences group, we are confronting this challenge by developing predictive simulation methods for reactive flows in complex systems, in order to bridge the gap between fundamental theory and modeling actual technical combustion systems.

Members of the Pitsch group outside their lab.

Stanford University's Hoover Tower can be seen in the background. Click picture for closeup.

Heinz Pitsch
Associate Professor
Director, Stanford Thermal and Fluid Sciences Industrial Affiliates and Sponsors Program
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Flow Physics and Computation Group

Phone: 650-736-1995
Fax: 650-725-3525
Email: H.Pitsch@stanford.edu

Mail:
Stanford University
Mechanical Engineering Department, MC 3035
488 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-3030

Marlene Lomuljo-Bautista
Administrative Assistant
Flow Physics and Computation Group

Phone: (650) 723-5616
Fax: (650) 725-3525
Email: marlenel@stanford.edu