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Show 1.0 Introduction The Burner Engineering Research Laboratory is a joint project between the Gas Research Institute and Sandia National Laboratory. The purpose of BERL is to provide a facility where manufacturers and other researchers can study the physics governing combustion processes in industrial scale burners using conventional and laser-based diagnostics. The understanding of the characteristics of a given burner would then be used to improve burner designs. The purpose of this paper is to help potential users understand the capabilities and aid them with planning research activities in BERL. This paper begins with an overview of BERL, which includes a description of the management and operation of the facility, the proposal process, what to expect upon arrival at Sandia, the disposition of work performed, and a facility description. The second part of this paper is a review of the diagnostics available at BERL. First, the paper surveys BERL's conventional diagnostic capabilities: input/output measurements, exhaust gas sampling, in-furnace gas sampling, suction pyrometry, and radiometry. Finally, the paper discusses BERL's laser-based diagnostics: planar Mie scattering, laser Doppler velocimetry, and laser-induced fluorescence. It is hoped that this survey of BERL's diagnostic capabilities will help potential users in preparing a proposal with a scope of work that will meet their needs in a timely manner. 2.0 BERL Overview 2.1 Management and Operation Management responsibilities for BERL are shared by Sandia and GR!. The management team is responsible for proposal and test plan review and scheduling users. The Department of Energy, through Sandia, funds a staff member and technician to support the laboratory. The Sandia staff member is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of BERL and implementing laserbased diagnostics. Energy and Environmental Research Corporation, under contract to GRI, provides an staff scientist and technician on site at BERL to operate the furnace and implement the conventional diagnostics. The EER scientist is also responsible for planing and coordinating facility modifications and hardware fabrication for tests, compiling test data and, with the Sandia staff and users, drafting and implementing test plans. 2.2 Proposal Process The process to use BERL begins with the submission of a proposal to the management team. The proposal must include a concise statement of purpose that should convey exactly what the user wants to learn about the processes governing combustion, mixing and pollutant formation in their burner. An outline for the test plan may also be included in the proposal but is not necessary. No cost summary need be included in the proposal because the cost to operate the facility and the diagnostics are covered by GRI and Sandia. The user is responsible for the cost -5- |