Robert Pitz
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Intellectual Neighborhoods
Research Focus
Laser diagnostics, laminar & turbulent combustion, turbulence-chemistry interaction, pollutant formation, supersonic combustion, gas turbine combustion, rocket propulsion, Raman scattering, laser-induced fluorescence, molecular-tagging velocimetry.
Current Projects
Laser Diagnostics of Combustion Laboratory
Professor R. W. Pitz
Using advanced laser diagnostics, chemical reactions and pollutant generation are studied in flames that simulate combustion in gas turbines, direct injection spark ignition engines, and natural gas appliances. Chemical species and temperature are measured in laminar and turbulent flames with laser-induced Raman scattering and fluorescence. The velocity flow fields are determined with advanced molecular methods such as hydroxyl tagging velocimetry. The laser measurements are combined with computer simulations to determine the effect of aerodynamics on combustion chemistry and mixing. New laser methods are developed for imaging of chemical species, fluid mixing, and fluid velocity. Extensive experimental facilities are available including burners (laminar, turbulent), electronic cameras, lasers (excimer, dye, YAG), computers, and spectrometers.