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Cosmin Dumitrescu, Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

ABOUT

Dr. Cosmin Dumitrescu investigates fundamental and applied combustion processes for propulsion and power generation. Of particular interest are combustion systems that use natural gas; dual fuels; and various blends of natural gas with biomass, coal derivatives and other alternative fuels. His current research and teaching interests are:

  • Thermal fluid systems for energy and propulsion applications
  • Reacting flows
  • Conventional, low carbon, and decarbonized fuels
  • Advanced combustion strategies
  • High-speed laser diagnostics and imaging of combustion processes
  • Fuel reforming
  • Biomass and coal gasification using bubbling fluidized bed gasifiers

EXPERIENCE

After completing his graduate studies, Dumitrescu accepted a research associate position with the National Research Council Canada in Ottawa, Canada, where he investigated the effects of conventional and alternative fuels on advanced clean-combustion strategies for highly-efficient internal combustion engines. He continued the research as a postdoctoral research fellow with the Sandia National Laboratories - Engine Research Facility in Livermore, California, where he applied and developed laser-based and imaging diagnostics to investigate the controlling physical and chemical processes in high-efficiency, low-emissions IC engine technologies. At WVU, Dr. Dumitrescu investigates fundamental combustion processes that can provide the science base to design advanced combustion systems for propulsion and power generation. To achieve his goals, he uses laser-based and imaging diagnostics and state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, such as internal combustion engines with optical access, to quantify the effects of engine design, combustion strategies and fuels on IC engine performance and emissions.

EDUCATION

Ph.D., mechanical engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa 
M.S., mechanical engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa 
B.S., mechanical engineering, University Politehnica, Bucharest, Romania