Combustion
Combustion is the chemical process of burning a fuel in the presence of oxygen, releasing heat and light. It is fundamental to engines, power generation, industrial processes, and environmental studies.
Chronos High-Speed Cameras allow for:
Combustion of a Metallic Strip (Mg) using Chronos 1.4 & Helios System
Res/FPS: 1280x1024 @ 1069FPS, Monochrome Sensor
More video examples below.
Why High-Speed Imaging Matters
High-speed cameras are vital in combustion research because they capture rapid flame propagation, ignition, and turbulence that occur within milliseconds. These detailed visuals help scientists analyze combustion efficiency, pollutant formation, and flame stability to optimize engine design and reduce emissions.
Why Choose Chronos for Combustion Application
Capture Fast, Transient Events with Precision
Chronos cameras offer exceptionally high temporal resolution, enabling image capture at up to 1,000 fps at full resolution and up to 40,000 fps at reduced resolution.
This allows you to clearly visualize rapid combustion phenomena that would otherwise be missed.
Precise Triggering & Synchronization
Built-in trigger capabilities ensure you can capture critical, fast-evolving combustion events at exactly the right moment.
The system also supports synchronization with external devices such as pulse delay generators and function generators, making it ideal for controlled experimental setups.
Refer to the Triggering and Synchronization tutorial.
Efficient Data Handling & Workflow
Easily download footage directly to SSD or remotely to your computer via SMB share, streamlining your workflow and enabling faster analysis and collaboration.
This flexible workflow enables faster turnaround from capture to analysis, allowing researchers to quickly review results, compare test conditions, and refine experimental parameters.
Key Use-Cases
Visualizing how flames spread in engines and burners to improve combustion efficiency.
Analyzing droplet breakup, spray penetration, and fuel-air mixing for better combustion efficiency.
Visualizing how turbulence affects flame stability and combustion uniformity.
Capturing ignition timing events for better fuel management.
Monitoring soot particle generation and flame luminosity to reduce emissions.
Real-world Combustion Examples
Filmed with Chronos High-Speed Cameras
Oxygen-Enhanced Combustion Demonstration
Slow-motion visualization reveals how an oxygen-soaked sponge undergoes rapid combustion, showing that increased oxygen concentration intensifies heat release, causing the sponge to vanish.
Camera: Chronos 2.1-HD
Res x FPS: 1920x1080 @ 1000FPS
Shot by: Chemical Force
Aluminum Combustion in Rocket Propellants
High-speed imaging visualizes aluminum combustion initiated by ammonium perchlorate, revealing rapid oxidation, flame propagation, and reaction dynamics relevant to solid rocket propulsion systems.
Camera: Chronos 4K12
Res x FPS: 1920x1080 @ 942 FPS, 12-bit
Shot by: Integza
Slow-Motion Observation of Matchstick Combustion
Slow-motion footage of a burning matchstick reveals combustion in detail, showing flame propagation, fuel vaporization, oxidation reactions, heat release, and changing flame structure over time.
Camera: Chronos 2.1-HD
Res x FPS: 1920x1080 @ 1000FPS
Shot by: Victor Lim Visuals
Explore More Resources
- Chronos in Publication
- Research Papers & References
- Blogs/Tutorials
- Y. Zhuang, Y. Feng, L. Dong, B. Zhang, & Z. Ling. (2025). Experimental study on ignition and combustion characteristics of Al/NEPE propellant.
- Daniel J. Duke, D. J., Knast, T., Thethy, B., Gisler, L., & Edgington-Mitchell, D. (2019). A low-cost high-speed CMOS camera for scientific imaging. Measurement Science and Technology, 30(7), 075403.
- (Authors not fully visible). (2023). High-speed optical imaging technique for combusting metal nanopowders. Optics & Laser Technology, 159, 108981.
- Aizawa, T., Kinoshita, T., Akiyama, S., Shinohara, K., & Miyagawa, Y. (2022). Infrared high-speed thermography of combustion chamber wall impinged by diesel spray flame. International Journal of Engine Research, 23(7).
- Zhang, Y., et al. (2021). Dual-camera high-speed imaging of ignition modes. Combustion and Flame, 224, 33–42.
- Schiemann, M., et al. (2016). A high-speed camera based approach for the on-line analysis of particles in multi-fuel burner flames. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, 73, 10–17.
- Dreizler, A., & Böhm, B. (2015). High-speed imaging in fundamental and applied combustion research. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 35(1), 37–64.
- Zhang, Y., & Lou, C. (2015). High speed digital imaging for flame studies: Potentials and limitations. Energy Procedia, 66, 237–240.
- Wan Ali, W. K., Long, A. K., & Jaafar, M. N. M. (2014). Observation on solid propellant ignition using high speed camera: The effect of hot wire position on the combustion flame contour. Jurnal Teknologi, 71(1).
- Dietrich, D. L., Nayagam, V., Hicks, M. C., Ferkul, P. V., Dryer, F. L., Farouk, T., Shaw, B. D., Suh, H. K., Liu, Y. C., Avedisian, C. T., & Williams, F. A. (2014). Droplet combustion experiments aboard the International Space Station. Microgravity Science and Technology, 26, 65–76.
- Sick, V., 2013. High speed imaging in fundamental and applied combustion research. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 34(2), pp.3509-3530.
- Zhang, L., Binner, E., & Bhattacharya, S. (2009). High-speed camera observation of coal combustion.
- Wytrykus, F., & Duesterwald, R. (2001). Improving combustion process by using a high-speed UV-sensitive camera. SAE Technical Paper.
- Ross, H. D. (Ed.). (2001). Microgravity combustion: Fire in free fall. Academic Press.
- Y. Zhuang, Y. Feng, L. Dong, B. Zhang, & Z. Ling. (2025). Experimental study on ignition and combustion characteristics of Al/NEPE propellant.
- Daniel J. Duke, D. J., Knast, T., Thethy, B., Gisler, L., & Edgington-Mitchell, D. (2019). A low-cost high-speed CMOS camera for scientific imaging. Measurement Science and Technology, 30(7), 075403.
- (Authors not fully visible). (2023). High-speed optical imaging technique for combusting metal nanopowders. Optics & Laser Technology, 159, 108981.
- Aizawa, T., Kinoshita, T., Akiyama, S., Shinohara, K., & Miyagawa, Y. (2022). Infrared high-speed thermography of combustion chamber wall impinged by diesel spray flame. International Journal of Engine Research, 23(7).
- Zhang, Y., et al. (2021). Dual-camera high-speed imaging of ignition modes. Combustion and Flame, 224, 33–42.
- Schiemann, M., et al. (2016). A high-speed camera based approach for the on-line analysis of particles in multi-fuel burner flames. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, 73, 10–17.
- Dreizler, A., & Böhm, B. (2015). High-speed imaging in fundamental and applied combustion research. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 35(1), 37–64.
- Zhang, Y., & Lou, C. (2015). High speed digital imaging for flame studies: Potentials and limitations. Energy Procedia, 66, 237–240.
- Wan Ali, W. K., Long, A. K., & Jaafar, M. N. M. (2014). Observation on solid propellant ignition using high speed camera: The effect of hot wire position on the combustion flame contour. Jurnal Teknologi, 71(1).
- Dietrich, D. L., Nayagam, V., Hicks, M. C., Ferkul, P. V., Dryer, F. L., Farouk, T., Shaw, B. D., Suh, H. K., Liu, Y. C., Avedisian, C. T., & Williams, F. A. (2014). Droplet combustion experiments aboard the International Space Station. Microgravity Science and Technology, 26, 65–76.
- Sick, V., 2013. High speed imaging in fundamental and applied combustion research. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 34(2), pp.3509-3530.
- Zhang, L., Binner, E., & Bhattacharya, S. (2009). High-speed camera observation of coal combustion.
- Wytrykus, F., & Duesterwald, R. (2001). Improving combustion process by using a high-speed UV-sensitive camera. SAE Technical Paper.
- Ross, H. D. (Ed.). (2001). Microgravity combustion: Fire in free fall. Academic Press.