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Chaturvedi, Sushil K.

Publications and source records attributed to Chaturvedi, Sushil K..

On-Line Measurement of Heat of Combustion of Gaseous Hydrocarbon Fuel Mixtures

A method for the on-line measurement of the heat of combustion of gaseous hydrocarbon fuel mixtures has been developed and tested. The method involves combustion of a test gas with a measured quantity of air to achieve a preset concentration of oxygen in the combustion products. This method involves using a controller which maintains the fuel (gas) volumetric flow rate at a level consistent with the desired oxygen concentration in the combustion products. The heat of combustion is determined form a known correlation with the fuel flow rate. An on-line computer accesses the fuel flow data and displays the heat of combustion measurement at desired time intervals. This technique appears to be especially applicable for measuring heats of combustion of hydrocarbon mixtures of unknown composition such as natural gas.

Sprinkle, Danny R.↗

Two-stage gas measurement system

A quick-response, real-time gaseous measurement system allows for the continuous sampling of a low pressure gaseous environment. A sample of test gas from the low pressure gaseous environment is continuously extracted and pumped to a structural tee joint which is open to the atmosphere at one end to maintain the test gas at a constant pressure. The structural tee joint communicates at the other end with a heater for maintaining the test gas at a constant temperature. From the heater, the test gas is sent to a sensor which develops a voltage that is proportional to the partial pressure of the gaseous component to be measured in the test gas, a constant flow rate of test gas being provided through the heater and sensor. Since test gas pressure, temperature, and flow rate are being held constant, changes in sensor voltage are attributable only to changes in the concentration of the measured gas component.

Sprinkle, Danny R.↗

Langley 8-foot high-temperature tunnel oxygen measurement system

In order to ensure that there is a proper amount of oxygen necessary for sustaining test engine operation for hypersonic propulsion systems testing at the NASA Langley 8-foot high-temperature tunnel, a quickly responding real-time measurement system of test section oxygen concentration has been designed and tested at Langley. It is built around a zirconium oxide-based sensor which develops a voltage proportional to the oxygen partial pressure of the test gas. The voltage signal is used to control the amount of oxygen being injected into the combustor air. The physical operation of the oxygen sensor is described, as well as the sampling system used to extract the test gas from the tunnel test section. Results of laboratory tests conducted to verify sensor accuracy and response time performance are discussed, as well as the final configuration of the system to be installed in the tunnel.

Sprinkle, Danny R.↗