Bioenergy Research Group
Mission:
BERG pursues applied and fundamental research to develop combustion solutions for renewable energy production and improved efficiency of non-renewable energy generation. Information and technology developments are disseminated through publications, presentations, teaching, and workshops. Close collaboration with industry ensures implementation of research results.
Faculty:
Dr. Judi Steciak, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, combustion and air pollution issues.
Dr. Ralph Budwig, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, fluid mechanics and experimental methods
Dr. Steve Beyerlein, Professor or Mechanical Engineering, internal combustion engine dynamics.
Research Projects:
Catalytic ignition of renewable transportation vehicles.
Improved combustion efficiency of heavy hydrocarbon fuels.
Slag-free gasification and combustion of herbaceous biomass.
Small-scale reacting flow devices.
Class Offerings:
ME433 Combustion Engine Systems.
ME529 Combustion and Air Pollution.
ME547 Thermal Radiation Processes.
ME583 Reliability of Engineering Systems.
Students:
Duane Elgan, MSME candidate, Detailed kinetics modeling of methane ignition on platinum.
David Mehaffey, MSME, Ignition of ethanol on platinum and platinum-rhodium, 2011.
Brad McGary, MSME, Catalytic ignition of biodiesel, 2011.
Joshua Royce, MSME, Unsteady modeling of a catalytic plasma torch, 2010.
Joshua Gibson, MSME, Catalytic ignition of aqueous ethanol, 2009.
Katrina Leichliter, MSME, Catalytic ignition of moist propane, 2007.
Bob Lounsbury, MSME, Catalytic ignition of propane blends, 2007.
Don Plumlee, PhD, Meso-scale thrusters for satellite positioning, 2007.
Amit Patel, MSME, Development of a plug-flow reactor, 2004.
Jim Scranton, MSME, Design and economic analysis of a portable straw burning electric generator, 2001.
Funding Agencies:
US Department of Agriculture
US Department of Defense
US Department of Energy
US Department of Transportation
NASA
National Science Foundation
Idaho Energy Division
Idaho Higher Education Research Council
Idaho Transportation Department
Industry, Academic and Agency Collaborators:
Automotive Resources, Inc.
Boise State University
Energy Products of Idaho, Inc.
Idaho National Laboratory
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
National Institute of Advanced Transportation Technology
BERG pursues applied and fundamental research to develop combustion solutions for renewable energy production and improved efficiency of non-renewable energy generation. Information and technology developments are disseminated through publications, presentations, teaching, and workshops. Close collaboration with industry ensures implementation of research results.
Faculty:
Dr. Judi Steciak, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, combustion and air pollution issues.
Dr. Ralph Budwig, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, fluid mechanics and experimental methods
Dr. Steve Beyerlein, Professor or Mechanical Engineering, internal combustion engine dynamics.
Research Projects:
Catalytic ignition of renewable transportation vehicles.
Improved combustion efficiency of heavy hydrocarbon fuels.
Slag-free gasification and combustion of herbaceous biomass.
Small-scale reacting flow devices.
Class Offerings:
ME433 Combustion Engine Systems.
ME529 Combustion and Air Pollution.
ME547 Thermal Radiation Processes.
ME583 Reliability of Engineering Systems.
Students:
Duane Elgan, MSME candidate, Detailed kinetics modeling of methane ignition on platinum.
David Mehaffey, MSME, Ignition of ethanol on platinum and platinum-rhodium, 2011.
Brad McGary, MSME, Catalytic ignition of biodiesel, 2011.
Joshua Royce, MSME, Unsteady modeling of a catalytic plasma torch, 2010.
Joshua Gibson, MSME, Catalytic ignition of aqueous ethanol, 2009.
Katrina Leichliter, MSME, Catalytic ignition of moist propane, 2007.
Bob Lounsbury, MSME, Catalytic ignition of propane blends, 2007.
Don Plumlee, PhD, Meso-scale thrusters for satellite positioning, 2007.
Amit Patel, MSME, Development of a plug-flow reactor, 2004.
Jim Scranton, MSME, Design and economic analysis of a portable straw burning electric generator, 2001.
Funding Agencies:
US Department of Agriculture
US Department of Defense
US Department of Energy
US Department of Transportation
NASA
National Science Foundation
Idaho Energy Division
Idaho Higher Education Research Council
Idaho Transportation Department
Industry, Academic and Agency Collaborators:
Automotive Resources, Inc.
Boise State University
Energy Products of Idaho, Inc.
Idaho National Laboratory
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
National Institute of Advanced Transportation Technology