Flammability Metrics for Next-Generation Refrigerants

Overview

The research will involve developing an automated system for measuring the burning velocity of
refrigerant-air mixtures to serve as the basis for a new test standard. The tasks will include software and
hardware and software development, testing, and debugging, followed by re-design and optimization.
When completed, the experiment will also be operated to generate new data on the flammability of
refrigerant blends in the presence of water vapor, as well as to improve both the software and
hardware.

Qualifications

• Experience with Linux, Python, C,
• Experience with laboratory hardware including static and dynamic pressure transducers, HV power supplies, NI data acquisition systems, optical image collection and data processing,
• Significant progress towards a degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Aerospace Engineering,
• Familiarity with multiple scripting languages.
• Ability to develop prototypes of tools needed to analyze data.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Research Proposal

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Interfacing with NI hardware through NI Scripts via Python,
• Operating various sensors and collecting data with raspberry pi,
• Using AI to generate, modify, and upgrade codes for operating the 2L combustion experiment,
• Writing Python code for data reduction and analysis,
• Interfacing the NIST data reduction tool CVDART into the software written to control the 2L combustion experiment so that experimental results can be reduced and displayed in real time,
• Operating the 2L combustion chamber to acquire data,
• Ensuring that results, protocols, software, and documentation have been archived or otherwise transmitted for use by internal and external collaborators and customers.