LCPE ITA - CPE

The ITA Laboratory of Combustion, Propulsion and Energy – LCPE, started its activities in 2008 combining the research topics of Propulsion Department. The laboratory focus is combustion applied to propulsive and energetic systems, like piston engine, gas turbines, rocket engine and burners, including subjects like combustion efficiency, pollutant emissions and alternative fuels. In fact, the LCPE represents a union of several more specific laboratories: fundamental combustion, spray analysis, alternative fuels chemistry analysis, burners and new applied technologies, gas turbine combustion, piston engine combustion, liquid rocket engine combustion and hybrid rocket engine combustion. In terms of infrastructure for research, the LCPE has several laser techniques for combustion diagnosing, mass and optical spectrometers, different technologies for gas analyses (32 different gases), different sensors (flow rate, pressure, temperature, etc.), high velocity camera, thermal camera and dispositive for fuels chemical and physical properties determination.

In terms of piston engine combustion, the laboratory has special cell test equipped with AVL dynamometer and its system for control and data acquisition. This cell test was prepared for mono-cylinder research engines, compression ignition - CI or spark ignition - SI. About CI engine research, there is thermodynamic engine where test with continuous combustion can be performed; and, based on the pressure curve and other engine parameters it is possible to analyze the energy released behavior. In addition, it is also possible to analyze the exhaust gases, including NO, NO2, N2O, unburned hydrocarbons, CO, CO2, H2, O2, aldehydes, and total of soot. For the case of spark ignition investigations, there is an optical access engine (quartz cylinder and piston), and details about the fuel injection, ignition and flame propagation can be observed by optical systems.

The role of LCPE in the Prof. Urbano Ernesto Stumpf Research Center is related to the experimental studies in the SI optical cylinder engine, especially to compare combustion details about the engine operation with gasoline, ethanol and hydrous ethanol. For theses fuels, it is planned to study the flame propagation velocity, aspects related to the engine start and fuel injection strategies.