Biography
Simone Hochgreb is Professor in experimental reacting flows in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge. Her research interests are on reacting flows, including autoignition, pollutant formation and combustion instabilities. She has developed optical techniques for measurements of species, velocities and nanoparticles in engines, flames and gas turbine combustors, sponsored by a number of agencies and companies in the USA and the UK. Her current interests are in non-intrusive laser measurement techniques for temperature, species and velocities.
Research
- Reacting flows
- Optical diagnostics and measurement techniques
- Gas turbine combustion
- Engine combustion
- Particle formation
- Chemical kinetics
Professor Hochgreb's research investigates problems in energy conversion and reacting flows, with the aim of maximising efficiency and minimising harmful pollutant emissions. The main theme is to understand the physics of reacting flows in energy conversion devices, and the tradeoffs in stability, efficiency and emissions.
Many of the projects involve experimentation and analysis at realistic conditions, from which simpler experiments are defined: measurements in gas turbine injectors at high pressures and temperatures provided the questions for current experiments investigating how reactant stratification behaviour affects flame structure, emissions formation, ignition, behaviour and instability. Results of the work on flame instability and soot emissions have been used by partners in industry in developing new injectors, whilst the work on flame structure and instabilities continues to serve as a database for model verification. The work is inherently collaborative, developing and sharing tools, data and models across the world.
Past research includes work on chemical kinetics, autoignition and internal combustion engine performance and emissions. Current developments are focused on understanding the emergence and fate of hot (entropy) spots in combustion, leading to emissions and instabilities in model combustors, and developing accurate and non-intrusive methods for measurements of soot, coal, spray and fine particles in reacting flows.
