Stefano Chiocchini is a Mechanical Engineer and PhD specialist in combustion diagnostics, with extensive experience in both research and industry. Currently based in Tuscany, Italy, he works at Sesta Lab, where since 2017 he has been managing, maintaining, upgrading, and setting up full-scale gas turbine combustor test rigs, as well as conducting advanced laser diagnostics in combustion. Stefano’s expertise spans gas turbines, combustion systems, and project management, with a strong academic foundation from Università degli Studi di Roma Tre, where he earned his PhD in Fluid Mechanics – Gas Turbine Combustion.
His research contributions include multiple publications on thermoacoustic instability detection, combustion stability improvement, and advanced signal analysis techniques, as well as a patent for a Hybrid Multi-Stage System for flame induction, anchoring, and stabilization in advanced gas turbine combustors. Combining hands-on technical skills with deep theoretical knowledge, Stefano plays a key role in advancing experimental and diagnostic techniques in the field of gas turbine combustion.

Friday, September 5th
16:00 | Event Room 2

Title: Rayleigh Thermometry Experiments and Dissociated Ammonia Combustion for Low-Emission Gas Turbines

Abstract:

Sesta Lab’s R&D focuses on enhancing mini gas turbine combustion through advanced laser diagnostics, particularly Rayleigh thermometry combined with SLIPI, which provides precise, time-averaged temperature fields and improves signal-to-noise ratios for analyzing flame behavior, turbulence, and efficiency in gas turbines. This technique is crucial for optimizing combustion processes, enabling better control of emissions and performance. A key innovation lies in applying these methods to a new ammonia/hydrogen burner using dissociated ammonia as a potential low-emission fuel, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional combustibles by minimizing NOx and CO2 outputs while maintaining high efficiency.