Reduce, Refuel, Refire: The Thermodynamic Process of a Smokeless Campfire Pit

Poster/Exhibit Presentation
11:15 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. CDT on April 14, 2021

With the evidence of the first use of fire by Homo sapiens occurring nearly 400,000 years ago, it is safe to say the campfire has lived alongside the human race for the majority of our existence. As the human mind developed throughout the ages, so did fire-centered technologies. A recent breakthrough is the development of aboveground smokeless fire pits. These campfires utilize modern thermodynamic understanding of heat and mass transfer to provide optimal flame and minimal smoke output, perfect for both recreational and culinary purposes. This project explores the history and development of the smokeless firepit and our design and manufacturing of one, as well as an analysis of the thermodynamic process behind the effective performance of this device.

Jack Burke, Charles Sprouse, School of Engineering

Location