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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S35318/01
Title: Learning from controlled explosions in Nature - Modelling the catalytic explosion device of Bombardier Beetles
Principal Investigator: McIntosh, Professor AC
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Fuel and Energy
Organisation: University of Leeds
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 February 2004 Ends: 31 January 2007 Value (£): 134,667
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Bioinformatics Combustion
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Energy No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The purpose of the proposed research is to improve understanding, and potential practical exploitation of the characteristics of a naturally occurring combustion chamber - in particular the combustion and nozzle ejection mechanism of the Bombardier Beetle. This will be achieved through a program of mathematical and numerical modelling having as its main aims (a) Construct and explore numerical codes to simulate the combustion chamber of Bombardier Beetles using the naturally occurring fuels (Hydrogen Peroxide and Hydroquinone). (b) Examine the vital influence of catalytic combustion provided in the beetle by the injection of catalase from the walls of the combustion chamber. (c) Investigate the effect of length and orientation of the exit nozzle on the formation of any momentum and heat losses in the combustion system. (d) Apply the knowledge gained from the above simulation of the catalytic combustion to the plasma reigniters used in Gas Turbines viz. whether catalytic combustion can be used in the nozzles of reigniters to counter nozzle quenching - in particular the loss of radicals necessary for sustained ignition.
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Organisation Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk