Advancing Combustion Research with HiCATT: Lambert Instruments Technology Featured in Tohoku University Study
At Lambert Instruments, we’re proud to see our HiCATT intensified camera system at the heart of innovative combustion research conducted by Tohoku University. This groundbreaking study pushes the boundaries of predictive combustion modeling by integrating advanced data assimilation (DA) techniques with high-speed imaging—paving the way for more accurate engine simulations and energy applications.
Research Focus: Improving Spray Penetration and Ignition Delay Simulations
The research team investigated how to improve spray penetration dynamics and combustion ignition delay predictions in engine simulations. Traditionally, these simulations rely on Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations, which can struggle with accuracy due to physical assumptions and variability in combustion behavior.
To address this, the scientists applied:
- Data assimilation techniques
- Schlieren imaging
- Ensemble Square Root Filters (EnSRF)
- Two-component velocity distribution models
What makes their work truly innovative is that they achieved high precision without modifying the core governing equations—instead, they enhanced the data input using advanced statistical methods. One of the most notable breakthroughs was how the team tackled the variability in ignition delay time even under identical conditions.
The HiCATT’s Role: High-Speed, High-Resolution Imaging
Our HiCATT intensified camera system played a crucial role in capturing the high-speed events within the combustion process. By enabling *OH chemiluminescence imaging at 30,000 frames per second (fps)**, HiCATT provided the temporal resolution needed to observe ignition events in fine detail.
Paired with a high-speed CMOS camera, the HiCATT intensifier delivered:
- Enhanced sensitivity to low-light emissions (e.g., OH* radicals)
- Crisp, high-speed visualization of ignition fronts
- Quantitative data to feed into simulation models
This precision imaging allowed the researchers to accurately quantify ignition delay time, reinforcing the model’s reliability and strengthening the foundation for future combustion diagnostics.
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Read the full publication: Link to study
Discover more about HiCATT and its imaging applications
