Kevin Turner Passes Preliminary Exam with Insightful Presentation on Refrigerant Flammability

Kevin Turner, a Graduate Student working in the Shiflett Research Group, has successfully passed his preliminary examination, marking a major milestone in his academic journey. His presentation, titled "Refrigerant Flammability Metrics, Methodologies, and Modeling," showcased a deep understanding of critical safety and performance factors in refrigerant technologies.

In his talk, Turner addressed the growing importance of flammability analysis as industries transition toward low-GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants - many of which pose new safety challenges. His research focused on quantifying flammability using well-defined metrics such as lower flammability limits (LFL), upper flammability limits (UFL), and minimum ignition energy (MIE).

Turner also detailed a variety of testing methodologies used to assess these properties. These included controlled ignition experiments and simulation-driven analysis to complement laboratory results. His work highlighted the complexities in creating standardized flammability profiles and the need for unified testing protocols.

Faculty members and committee participants commended Turner for both the depth of his technical content and the clarity of his delivery. His ability to bridge experimental data with computational modeling was noted as a key strength of his work.

With the preliminary exam now behind him, Turner will continue developing his research toward a full dissertation. His future work is expected to contribute significantly to the field of refrigerant safety, particularly as the industry navigates stricter environmental regulations and evolving safety standards.

Turner’s successful exam represents not only a personal achievement but also a promising step forward for innovation in sustainable cooling technologies.