Welcome to the Multi-University Research Initiative (MURI) website for "Generation of
Comprehensive Surrogate Kinetic Models and Validation Databases for Simulating Large
Molecular Weight Hydrocarbon Fuels." This project is a collaborative effort among Princeton University,
Case Western Reserve University, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Awarded under the 2007 MURI competition in
the topical area of "Science-Based Design of Fuel Flexible Chemical Propulsion/Energy
Conversion Systems," this MURI seeks to advance the state-of-the-art in combustion
modeling of jet fuels through advances in chemical kinetic modeling and validation
experiments. Hydrocarbon jet fuels are typically produced from petroleum as loosely
defined mixtures of hundreds of individual molecular components that collectively meet
stringent certification standards for use in aircraft. The specific composition
can vary substantially with the petroleum resource and processing methods, leading to
both geographic and seasonal variations. It is also expected that jet fuels will incorporate
components derived from energy resources other than petroleum in the future.
The project focuses on the use of "surrogates" - mixtures of a small number of
appropriate liquid hydrocarbons - designed to simulate the combustion behavior of these
complex petroleum-derived and alternative hydrocarbon fuels. The goal of the MURI is
to develop tools to better enable evaluating fuel property changes on the performance and
emissions of existing engines, to improve combustor designs in future engine
development, and to take advantage of the changes in fuel composition driven by
alternative aircraft fuel programs. As the project progresses, new material will be added to this website; we expect to
interact strongly with national laboratories as well as industry and other universities.
This MURI project is supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)
under the guidance of Dr. Julian Tishkoff.