Publications

Journal Publications
Caubel, J.J., Rapp, V.H., Chen, S.S., Gadgil, A.J., “Practical design considerations for secondary air injection in wood-burning cookstoves: An experimental study,” Development Engineering, 5: 100049, 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.deveng.2020.100049
Nahimana, E., May,L., Gadgil, A.J., Rapp, V.H., Magge, H., Kubwimana, M., Nshimyiryo, A., Kateera, F., Feldman, H.A., Nkikabahizi, F., Sayinzoga, F., and Hansen, A., “A Low Cost, Re-usable, Electricity-Free Infant Warmer: Evaluation of Safety, Effectiveness, and Feasibility,” Public Health Action, 8(4):211-217, 2018
Fischer, Marc; Chan, Wanyu Rengie; Delp, Woody; Jeong, Seongeun; Rapp, Vi; Zhu, Zhmin, "An Estimate of Natural Gas Methane Emissions from California Homes," Environmental Science and Technology, 52(17): 10205-10213, 2018
Caubel, J.J., Rapp, V.H., Chen, S.S., Gadgil, A.J., “Optimization of Secondary Air Injection in a Wood-Burning Cookstove: An Experimental Study,” Environmental Science and Technology, 52 (7), pp 4449–4456, 2018
Rapp, V.H., Caubel, J.J., Wilson, D.W., Gadgil, A.J., “Reducing ultrafine particle emissions using air injection in wood-burning cookstoves,” Environmental Science and Technology, 50 (15), pp 8368–8374, 2016
Rapp, V.H., Mack, J.H., Tschann, P., Hable, W., Cattolica, R.J., Dibble, R.W., “Research Octane Number of Primary and Mixed Alcohols from Biomass based Syngas,” Energy and Fuels, 28(5), 3185–3191, 2014
Mack, J.H., Rapp, V.H., Broeckelmann, M., Lee, T.S., Dibble, R.W., “Investigation of biofuels from microorganism metabolism for use as anti-knock additives,” Fuel, 117(B):939-943, 2014
Rapp, V.H., Perez, A., Singer, B.C., and Wray, C.P., “Predicting Backdrafting and Spillage for Natural-Draft Gas Combustion Appliances: Validating VENT-II,” HVAC & R Research, 19(3):295-306, 2013
Rapp, V.H., Cannella, W., Chen, J.-Y., Dibble, R.W., “Predicting fuel performance for future HCCI engines,” Combustion Science and Technology, 185(5):735-748, 2013
Rapp, V.H., DeFilippo, A., Saxena, S., et al., “Extending Lean Operating Limit and Reducing Emissions of Methane Spark-Ignited Engines Using a Microwave-Assisted Spark Plug,” Journal of Combustion, vol. 2012, Article ID 927081. DOI:10.1155/2012/927081, 2012
Chin, G.T., Chen, J.-Y., Rapp, V.H., and Dibble, R.W., “Development and Validation of a Reduced DME Mechanism Applicable to Various Combustion Modes in Internal Combustion Engines,” Journal of Combustion, 2011
DeFilippo, A., Saxena, S., Rapp, V.H., Dibble, R.W., Chen, J-Y, Ikeda, Y., and Nishiyama A., “Extending the lean operation limits of a gasoline engine using a microwave-assisted sparkplug,” Society of Automotive Engineers 2011-01-0820, 2011
Killingsworth, N.J., Rapp, V.H., Flowers, D.L., Aceves, S.M., Chen, J.-Y., and Dibble, R.W., “Increased Efficiency in SI Engine with Air Replaced by Oxygen in Argon Mixture,” Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 33(2), pp. 3141-3149, 2011
Rapp, V.H., Jacobsen, J., Lawson, M., Parker, A., and Chen, K., “Design, Construction and Testing of a Desktop Supersonic Wind Tunnel,” American Journal of Undergraduate Research, 4, No. 2, 2005

Other Publications
Wilson, D.L., Rapp, V.H., Caubel, J.J., Chen, S.S., Gadgil, A.J., “Verifying mixing in dilution tunnels: How to ensure cookstove emissions samples are unbiased,” LBNL-LBNL-2001088, December 2017
Rapp, V.H., Cheng, R.K., Therkelsen, P.L., “A high turndown, ultra low emission low-swirl burner for natural gas, on-demand water heaters,” LBNL-1007236, March 2017
Rapp, V.H., Killingsworth, N.J., Therkelsen, P.L., and Evans, W., (2016) “Lean Burn Internal Combustion Engines” in Dunn-Rankin and Therkelsen (Eds.), Lean Combustion: Technology and Control, Second Edition, Chapter 4, Academic Press, UK
Rapp, V.H., Singer, B.C., Stratton, J.C., Wray, C.P., Less, B., “Assessment of Literature Related to Combustion Appliance Venting Systems,” Revision to LBNL-5798E, February 2015
Rapp, V.H. and Singer, B.C., “Effect of Fuel Wobbe Number on Pollutant Emissions from Advanced Technology Residential Water Heaters: Results of Controlled Experiments,” LBNL Report 6626E, March 2014
Rapp, V. H., Singer, B.C., Walker, I. S.“10 Common Misconceptions About Combustion Safety,” Home Energy Magazine, Feb. 28, 2014
Rapp, V. H. “Investigation of Alternative Fuels and Advanced Engine Technology: Improving Engine Efficiency and Reducing Emissions,” Ph.D. Dissertation, 2011

Media
Department of Energy Faces of STEM: Vi Rapp, May 7, 2020
Farago, N., “Ring Burner: The Science of Customer Discovery - DOE Lab-Corps Video Series” Video series published by Berkeley Lab, September 9, 2016
White, T., “Vi Rapp: Reducing the Risks of Carbon Monoxide,” Interview published in Home Energy Magazine, Feb. 28, 2015
Farrar, L., “Career Spotlight: Research Scientist and Mechanical Engineer,” Video interview published KQED, Feb. 13, 2015
Bailes, A., “Are We Off Track With Combustion Safety Testing?” Blog post on Energy Vanguard Blog on Dry Climate Forum Presentation, February 20, 2014
Rapp, V.H., “How the Low-Swirl Burner Can Improve Residential Water Heating,” Webinar presentation, January 18, 2017.