Combustion of fossil and non-fossil fuels remains important to economies around the world, and these processes are responsible for a significant portion of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. The Ellzey Combustion Research Group focuses on understanding the combustion process and developing new technologies that are highly efficient with minimal polluting emissions. Novel Reactors For a Cleaner World We have worked for ~20 years in understanding and developing heat recirculating reactors which have many potential applications to emissions control technology, low-emissions combustors for power generation, and fuel reforming. Because a high surface area to flow volume is required, heat-recirculating combustors are characterized by small channels making them difficult to manufacture. Using a technique developed at the University of Texas in which a metal is infilled with a ceramic , creating a “cermet”, we have learned how to fabricate new reactors. Understanding the World’s Oldest Fuel Although the combustion field has focused most of its recent efforts on high end applications such as jet engines, internal combustion engines, and industrial burners, 2.7 billion people still use biomass in traditional cook stoves each day. Collectively emissions from these stoves contribute significantly to poor health, particularly of women, and to local, regional, and global environmental degradation. In contrast to conventional fossil fuels, the underlying science of biomass combustion is not well understood or characterized. Dr. Ellzey is focusing on the fundamental understanding of biomass combustion such that the knowledge can be used to improve technology and establish policy. |
The team | |
| Patryk Radyjowski Additive Manufacturing of Combustion Devices |
| Avery Brooks Additive Manufacturing - SLS |
| Larissa Herold Science Communication |
| Advaitha Byereddy Additive Manufacturing - SLS |
Contact and VisitDR. JANET ELLZEY ETC 7.148B |
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Prof. Ellzey received her BS and MS degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and her PhD from University of California at Berkeley. After working at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington DC, she joined the faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas in 1990. She has worked on various problems in combustion and fluid mechanics and now focuses on environmental technologies. Her current research efforts include non-catalytic reforming of biofuels, additive manufacturing of compact reactors for use in portable power, and smoldering of biomass. As Director of Humanitarian Engineering, she develops academic and research programs focused on low-income or marginalized communities. Prof. Ellzey is an avid traveler and often teaches a Maymester in France during the summer. She speaks French and is an admirer and student of French cuisine. | |
