BES - Chemical Sciences

Sandia's largest project in chemical sciences is housed at the Combustion Research Facility, a DOE user facility at Sandia/California. In this facility we study fundamental combustion processes. The long-range objective of the Combustion Research Facility is to maximize energy efficiency, fuel utilization, environmental protection, industrial productivity, and equipment design. Studies supported by the DOE Office of Science include combustion chemistry, combustion diagnostics, reacting flows, and combustion modeling.

Work in combustion chemistry improves our understanding of the complex chemical processes involved when fuels burn. Experiments and computer modeling yield insights into the dominant chemical reactions of combustion. Related efforts address fundamental questions of molecular dynamics and support the modeling of processes important to energy-producing technologies. A primary thrust of this research is the development of advanced combustion diagnostic techniques. We are using laser-based optical techniques to develop advanced diagnostic methods for use in studying a variety of combustion phenomena.

A multidisciplinary program in reacting flows links studies of combustion chemistry with the world of practical combustion. Test results improve predictive capabilities for turbulent combustion of hydrocarbon fuels. Research includes study of primary turbulent transport in flows involving complex fluid mechanics but simplified chemistry.

Distributed and massively parallel computer architectures are used in Sandia's combustion modeling program to develop simulations that predict the mutual influences of chemical reactions and fluid transport. Our current modeling focuses on fundamental understanding of important subprocesses so that future simulations will contain more realistic chemical and physical descriptions of combustion phenomena.

The primary users of the Combustion Research Facility are entities supported by the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy. Users conduct industry-oriented research on in-cylinder processes governing diesel- and gasoline-engine combustion in transient and continuous combustion. Hydrogen utilization as well as coal and biomass processes are studied.

A DOE-sponsored program brings approximately one hundred long-term users to the Combustion Research Facility every year. Visiting scientists from industry, universities, and government-sponsored organizations conduct basic and applied combustion research and publish their findings. Their participation helps transfer new combustion technology to a large user community. A postdoctoral research program provides advanced training for combustion scientists and engineers and enhances the facility's research productivity.

Continuing programs at the facility help maintain US preeminence in combustion science and technology. Facility staff represent the United States in International Energy Agency programs in combustion energy conservation. These programs encourage informal collaboration with foreign scientists in engine studies, reacting flows, and lean hydrogen combustion. The Combustion Research Facility remains the US focal point for generating and disseminating new knowledge that advances clean and efficient combustion.