The combustion laboratory is expected to be established during the Spring 2003 semester. A budget of $70,000 has already been committed by the FEA for the purchase of a Continuous Combustion Study Unit (CCSU) from PA Hilton which will allow students to study various aspects of combustion which are of direct relevance in Lebanon. These include: Burner assessment (firing rate, turndown range, flame stability and shape, flame radiation, air pollutant emissions), the effect of fuel/air ratio (on combustion efficiency, heat transfer, pollutant emissions), comparison of flue gas analysis with theoretical prediction, effect of flame and quarl radiation on heat transfer and observed temperature, extraction of gas samples from a range of locations within the combustor to assess chemical reaction rates, evaluation of the effect of fuel types and additives on the combustion process. Using this equipment, students will gain hands-on experience which would be of benefit in areas of air pollution, energy efficiency, and process operations as they relate to continuous combustion systems found in home heating furnaces, industrial boilers, and ovens. Currently students are not exposed to any hands-on applications of continuous combustion systems, despite the fact that a major area of responsibility for mechanical engineers in industry includes heating, steam supply, and electric power production, all of which require a solid working understanding of combustion processes and controls. This is particularly important for reducing air pollution in Lebanon.