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Research Interests
Dr. Kostiuk's general research
interests are in the area of premixed turbulent combustion. Practical
concerns for premixed combustion are in the efficient use of fossil fuels,
formation of pollutants and the hazards from fires and explosions.
Scientific concerns relate the understanding of the complex coupling that exist between fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and
chemistry. His work has addressed important issues for both practical and
scientific problems in combustion. Past research has been to develop models
for the effect turbulence has on the burning rate and extinction of
premixed flames, the dynamics and evolution of flame surfaces and effects
of gravity on flames. This work has resulted in a strong interest and
involvement in the associated areas of laminar combustion and non-reacting
turbulent flows.
From
1996 to 2004, Dr. Kostiuk worked with government, industry, and regulatory
agencies to investigate issues surrounding solution gas flaring. This topic has the potential to affect
the environment, industry, animals, and people. Dr. Kostiuk and his group, The Flare Research Project, developed
a scientifically credible method for calculating the efficiency of
flares. His research has led to
explanations for flaring inefficiencies and to the discovery of the “fuel
stripping mechanism,” the primary
source of flaring inefficiencies.
The culmination of this research, The Flare Research Project Final
Report September 2004, can be downloaded from the website associated with
the Flare Research Project.
Since
2002, Dr. Kostiuk has been studying electrokinetic
phenomena using his knowledge of thermodynamics as the driving force behind
his curiosity in this field. This
interest led to a publication outlining the groundbreaking work that
produced an electrokinetic battery in 2003. The characterization of this battery
includes theoretical and experimental work as well as numerical
simulations. Complementary to these
studies, Dr. Kostiuk is exploring other microflow
phenomena. This work involves the
development of devices micromachined at the University of Alberta NanoFab. Dr. Kostiuk is actively pursuing research
in these areas.
Dr.
Kostiuk is currently the chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department at
the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Key words: energy, combustion, flames, pollution, fluid mechanics,
turbulence, thermodynamics, experiments, laser-based diagnostics, solution
gas, flaring, electrokinetics, microfluidics, electric double layer, electrokinetic battery
Last
Updated: September 23, 2004
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