Advanced Sensors for High-Temperature and -Pressure Combustion Environments

One of the major challenges of advanced propulsion systems is the extreme temperatures and pressures at which these devices will operate. In particular, temperatures in excess of 2700K and pressures in excess of 50 atm are likely to be encountered in the near future. Since current sensors used in aero-propulsion control and monitoring systems cannot withstand these harsh environments, novel sensor technologies must be developed for advanced propulsion systems. The principal objective of the proposed research program is to develop advanced sensors capable of withstanding the high-temperature and - presure environments of advanced propulsion systems. Novel sensors for both temperature and species concentration (emissions monitoring) are proposed. The sensors will be designed to improve accuracy and survivability in the hot section of future combustors. Three unique sensor developments efforts are proposed: 1) A fiberoptic-based thermometer, 2) A novel gas-sampling probe, and 3) A species-concentration measurement system based on absorption spectroscopy,