Engine flame imaging using electrical capacitancetomography

First results of engine flame imaging using electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) are described. A six-electrode capacitance sensor fabricated as part of a research engine provides 15 capacitance measurements per scan. A transputer-based ECT system is used to reconstruct the cross-sectional images of flames in the engine from successive sets of capacitance measurements. The prototype system is capable of capturing flame images at 315 frames per second and has potential for monitoring engine performance.