Overview of Active
Research Projects
Overview of Active Research Project
On-going research activities in the group include a variety of topics from the study of fundamental fuel sprays, to engine performance and control development, and finally vehicle connectivity and transportation system efficiency optimization. For more details on current projects, as well as a list of related publications, please follow the links below.
A comprehensive list of Dr. Bittle’s publications can be found here, on Google Scholar.
Reacting Fuel Sprays: High-speed spatially resolved two-color pyrometry, rainbow schlieren deflectometry, and chemiluminescence imaging both individually and simultaneously are used to study high pressure diesel-like fuel spray mixing, ignition, and combustion for diesel and automotive applications. These fundamental studies – enabled with a number of custom experimental apparatus – explore the impact of ambient and injection conditions, and potential bio-fuel blends on fuel-air mixing, including thermodynamics and chemical processes.
Engine Control Optimization: Advanced real-time control-based strategies are studied for emissions mitigation of heavy-duty diesel engines. These applied studies aim to enable stable ultra-lean combustion modes that have been proven to reduce in-cylinder emissions formation and thereby reduce demand on after-treatment systems of these critical heavy-duty engines used for long-haul freight transit.
Connected Vehicles and Transportation Systems: The impact of connected vehicles and infrastructure on network wide fuel economy and emissions generation has potential to change the way traffic flows are managed. Using near real-time traffic volume and vehicle classification this work aims to quantify impacts to regional fuel consumption and emissions and through connectivity reduce the penalties to individuals and the region during congested driving.
Lab Facilities – Engine and Combustion Laboratory (ECL)
In January 2012, the University of Alabama opened the 208,000-ft2 South Engineering Research Center which houses the state-of-the-art Engines and Combustion Laboratory (ECL), where we do most of our work. Dr. Bittle has active projects in a number of lab spaces in the South Engineering Research Center (SERC) building located in the heart of the UA campus.
The ECL has six test cells and distinct auxiliary rooms for control systems and analytical equipment on the ground floor. Three of the test cells are dedicated for engine research including large-engine test facilities. The remaining three test cells are dedicated to fundamental and applied combustion research. Support infrastructure in the ECL includes water, conditioned combustion air, compressed air, and electrical supplies of adequate capacity to properly conduct engine and combustion testing. Each test cell has dedicated exhaust systems for experimentation, as well as safety systems for protection against fire and toxic-gas release.