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2009 Issues Archive
19 August 2009
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Engineering as art
One of the winners of Cambridge University’s annual engineering photography competition, Rumble (below right), by Isil Ayranci Kilinc, shows the flame of an aeroengine gas turbine burner in an experimental lean direct-injection burner.
The frames were captured from digital video taken during experiments conducted at the Cambridge Intermediate Pressure Combustion Facility. The experiments were looking at instabilities in the combustion process of lean direct-injection burners, a low-NOx technology which could reduce the pollution emitted by aircraft.
Lean burn conditions are prone to combustion instabilities, and the frames show a flame oscillating at low frequency, a state called “rumble”. Engineers are investigating how to reduce the effect because it may cause acoustic resonance and damage engine parts.
The competition is open to staff and students in the university’s Department of Engineering. First prize went to Ben Sheppard and Robert Howshall for this picture of Pebble, a low-cost deep-sea photographic vessel (top).
All the images can be seen online at
www.eng.cam.ac.uk/photocomp/2009
One of the judges, Philip Guildford, director of research, said: “Our students have really pushed the boundaries with this year’s competition. It is inspiring that they can create such beautiful art from their brilliant engineering.”
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© PE Publishing, 19 August 2009
