Reacting Flows and Propulsion

Long, reinforced metal tunnel connecting a concrete wall with a concrete building featuring external pipes and control valves.

We conduct experimental and numerical research in a broad range of phenomena, including flames, detonations, chemical lasers, laser-matter interactions, propulsion systems, the Earth's atmosphere, and astrophysical phenomena. Our facilities are among the world's best, featuring the largest detonation tube in an academic setting, which will enable at-scale experiments. These experiments will reveal undiscovered detonation physics and provide new insights for detonation safety.

Focus Areas

Combustion
Detonation
Numerical methods for large-scale simulations
Reactive flow

Faculty and Research Staff

Paul Cizmas

Professor, Aerospace Engineering

Office: HRBB 631B
Phone: 979-845-5952
Email: cizmas@tamu.edu

Diego Donzis

Professor, Aerospace Engineering
Presidential Impact Fellow

Office: HRBB 605
Phone: 979-862-2427
Email: donzis@tamu.edu

Swagnik Guhathakurta

Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering

Office: HRBB 743B
Email: swagnik@tamu.edu

Scott Jackson

Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering

Office: HRBB 743C
Phone: 979-845-1694
Email: sij@tamu.edu

Adonios Karpetis

Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Aerospace Engineering
Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering
Engineering Honors Coordinator, Aerospace Engineering

Office: HRBB 607C
Phone: 979-458-4301
Email: karpetis@tamu.edu

Elaine Oran

Professor, Aerospace Engineering
Member, National Academy of Engineering
O'Donnell Foundation Chair VI
University Distinguished Professor
Affiliated Faculty, Mechanical Engineering and Multidisciplinary Engineering

Office: HRBB 315B
Phone: 979-845-2630
Email: eoran@tamu.edu

Albina Tropina

Research Professor, Aerospace Engineering

Office: HRBB 607A
Phone: 979-845-0716
Email: atropina@tamu.edu

Bret P. Van Poppel

Professor of Practice, Aerospace Engineering

Office: HRBB 414B
Phone: 979-458-5703
Email: vanpoppel@tamu.edu

Laboratories and Facilities

Detonation Research Test Facility

The Detonation Research Test Facility, or DRTF, is one of the largest detonation research facilities in the world. It is designed to study and characterize high-speed reactive flows, fast flames, shocks, and detonations. The cylindrical steel tube is 150 meters long by 2 meters in diameter, with an earth-covered, vented muffler that is 90 meters long by 9 meters wide and high. The DRTF’s pressure and optical sensors will observe flame evolution and transition to detonation, enhanced by insertable steel baffles. Laser diagnostics will reveal the structure and dynamics of reactive flows. The DRTF will study the dynamics of explosive events and their flow physics, as well as reactions occurring in energetic materials generally. These experiments will help develop ways to avoid, mitigate, enhance, and even control these processes.

Faculty Supervisor: Elaine Oran

Website: Detonation Research Test Facility

Detonation Physics Laboratory

The Detonation Physics Laboratory specializes in the study of detonation physics, high-speed combustion phenomena and energetic material performance. Applications involve propulsion, power generation, explosion hazard analysis, defense and mining.

Faculty Supervisor: Scott Jackson
Website: jackson.engr.tamu.edu