Auto Ignition Study of Methane and Bio Alcohol Fuel Blends

Author(s):  
Xuan Zheng ◽  
Shirin Jouzdani ◽  
Benjamin Akih-Kumgeh

Abstract Methane (CH4) and bio alcohols have different ignition properties. These have been extensively studied and the resulting experimental data have been used to validate chemical kinetic models. Methane is the main component of natural gas, which is of interest because of its relative availability and lower emissions compared to other hydrocarbon fuels. Given growing interest in fuel-flexible systems, there can be situations in which the combustion properties of natural gas need to be modified by adding biofuels such as bio alcohols. This can occur in dual-fuel internal combustion engines or gas turbines with dual-fuel capabilities. The combustion behavior of such blends can be understood by studying the auto ignition properties in fundamental combustion experiments. Studies of the ignition of such blends are very limited in the literature. In this work, the auto ignition of methane and bio alcohol fuel blends is investigated using a shock tube facility. The chosen bio alcohols are ethanol (C2H5OH) and n-propanol (NC3H7OH). Experiments are carried out at 3 atm and 10 atm for stoichiometric and lean mixtures of fuel, oxygen, and argon. The ignition delay times of the pure fuels are first established at conditions of constant oxygen concentration and comparable pressures. The ignition delay times of blends with 50% methane are then measured. The pyrolysis kinetics of the blends is further explored by measuring CO formation during pyrolysis of the alcohol and methane–alcohol blends. The resulting experimental data are compared with the predictions of selected chemical kinetic models to establish the ability of these models to predict the disproportionate enhancement of methane ignition by the added alcohol.

Author(s):  
Xuan Zheng ◽  
Shirin Jouzdani ◽  
Benjamin Akih-Kumgeh

Abstract Methane (CH4) and bio alcohols have different ignition properties. These have been extensively studied and the resulting experimental data have been used to validate chemical kinetic models. Methane is the main component of natural gas, which is of interest because of its relative availability and lower emissions compared to other hydrocarbon fuels. Given growing interest in fuel-flexible systems, there can be situations in which the combustion properties of natural gas need to be modified by adding biofuels, such as bio alcohols. This can occur in dual fuel internal combustion engines or gas turbines with dual fuel capabilities. The combustion behavior of such blends can be understood by studying the auto ignition properties in fundamental combustion experiments. Studies of the ignition of such blends are very limited in the literature. In this work, the auto ignition of methane and bio alcohol fuel blends is investigated using a shock tube facility. The chosen bio alcohols are ethanol (C2H5OH) and n-propanol (NC3H7OH). Experiments are carried out at 3 atm and 10 atm for stoichiometric and lean mixtures of fuel, oxygen, and argon. The ignition delay times of the pure fuels are first established at conditions of constant oxygen concentration and comparable pressures. The ignition delay times of blends with 50% methane are then measured. The pyrolysis kinetics of the blends is further explored by measuring CO formation during pyrolysis of the alcohol and methane-alcohol blends. The resulting experimental data are compared with the predictions of selected chemical kinetic models to establish the ability of these models to predict the disproportionate enhancement of methane ignition by the added alcohol.


Author(s):  
A. F. Khan ◽  
A. A. Burluka

Diverse kinetic models for iso-octane, n-heptane, toluene and ethanol i.e. main gasoline surrogates, have been investigated. The models have different levels of complexity and strong and weak points. Firstly, ignition delay times for various fuel blends have been calculated and compared with published shock tube measurements. Kinetic models which are capable of distinguishing between Primary and Toluene Reference Fuels have been used further on in a zero-dimensional Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition engine model to predict auto-ignition. The modelling results have been compared to the experimental results obtained in a single cylinder research engine. A discussion has been made on the ability of these models to predict autoignition.


2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 4557-4566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erjiang Hu ◽  
Yizhen Chen ◽  
Zihang Zhang ◽  
Xiaotian Li ◽  
Yu Cheng ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Apeng Zhou ◽  
Shirin Jouzdani ◽  
Ben Akih-Kumgeh

Abstract This study presents four separate reduced chemical kinetic models of methanol/ethanol, propanol isomers, n- and iso-butanol, and n- and s-butanol isomers, derived from a comprehensive chemical kinetic model of C1-C5 alcohols using the Alternate Species Elimination approach. It is motivated by complexity of the detailed model (comprising 600 species and 4100 elementary reactions) and the need for simpler kinetic models for analysis of combustion of smaller alcohols. The reduced models are obtained on the basis of ignition delay time simulations with imposed thresholds on the resulting normalized changes in ignition delay times. The following reduced models are obtained: methanol/ethanol: 38 species and 197 reactions; propanol isomers: 68 species and 419 reactions; n- and iso-butanol: 140 species and 745 reactions; and n- and s-butanol: 134 species and 739 reactions. Predictions of ignition delay times by the reduced models are found to be in good with the detailed models. The reduced models are further tested against other relevant combustion properties. These properties include burning velocities of laminar premixed flames, global pyrolysis time scales, and heat release timing in Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition engines. This verification shows that reduced models can replace the comprehensive model in combustion analysis without loss of predictive performance. The reduced models can also serve as starting models for developing combined chemical kinetic models of gasoline/diesel and alcohol blends.


2019 ◽  
pp. 146808741987068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Iafrate ◽  
Mickael Matrat ◽  
Jean-Marc Zaccardi

Performance of lean-burn gasoline spark-ignition engines can be enhanced through hydrogen supplementation. Thanks to its physicochemical properties, hydrogen supports the flame propagation and extends the dilution limits with improved combustion stability. These interesting features usually result in decreased emissions and improved efficiencies. This article aims at demonstrating how hydrogen can support the combustion process with a modern combustion system optimized for high dilution resistance and efficiency. To achieve this, chemical kinetics calculations are first performed in order to quantify the impacts of hydrogen addition on the laminar flame speed and on the auto-ignition delay times of air/gasoline mixtures. These data are then implemented in the extended coherent flame model and tabulated kinetics of ignition combustion models in a specifically updated version of the CONVERGE code. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics engine calculations are performed at λ = 2 with 3% v/v of hydrogen for two operating points. At low load, numerical investigations show that hydrogen enhances the maximal combustion speed and the flame growth just after the spark which is a critical aspect of combustion with diluted mixtures. The flame front propagation is also more isotropic when supported with hydrogen. At mid load, hydrogen improves the combustion speed and also extends the auto-ignition delay times resulting in a better knocking resistance. A maximal indicated efficiency of 48.5% can thus be reached at λ = 2 thanks to an optimal combustion timing.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 683
Author(s):  
Erwei Liu ◽  
Qin Liao ◽  
Shengli Xu

An aerosol shock tube has been developed for measuring the ignition delay times (tig) of aerosol mixtures of low-vapor-pressure fuels and for visualization of the auto-ignition flow-field. The aerosol mixture was formed in a premixing tank through an atomizing nozzle. Condensation and adsorption of suspended droplets were not observed significantly in the premixing tank and test section. A particle size analyzer was used to measure the Sauter mean diameter (SMD) of the aerosol droplets. Three pressure sensors and a photomultiplier were used to detect local pressure and OH emission respectively. Intensified charge-coupled device cameras were used to capture sequential images of the auto-ignition flow-field. The results indicated that stable and uniform aerosol could be obtained by this kind of atomizing method and gas distribution system. The averaged SMD for droplets of toluene ranged from 2 to 5 μ m at pressures of 0.14–0.19 MPa of dilute gases. In the case of a stoichiometric mixture of toluene/O2/N2, ignition delay times ranged from 77 to 1330 μs at pressures of 0.1–0.3 MPa, temperatures of 1432–1716 K and equivalence ratios of 0.5–1.5. The logarithm of ignition delay times was approximately linearly correlated to 1000/T. In contrast to the reference data, ignition delay times of aerosol toluene/O2/N2 were generally larger. Sequential images of auto-ignition flow-field showed the features of flame from generation to propagation.


Author(s):  
Pierre A. Glaude ◽  
Rene´ Fournet ◽  
Roda Bounaceur ◽  
Michel Molie`re

Many investigations are currently carried out in order to reduce CO2 emissions in power generation. Among alternative fuels to natural gas and gasoil in gas turbine applications, dimethyl ether (DME; formula: CH3-O-CH3) represents a possible candidate in the next years. This chemical compound can be produced from natural gas or coal/biomass gasification. DME is a good substitute for gasoil in diesel engine. Its Lower Heating Value is close to that of ethanol but it offers some advantages compared to alcohols in terms of stability and miscibility with hydrocarbons. While numerous studies have been devoted to the combustion of DME in diesel engines, results are scarce as far as boilers and gas turbines are concerned. Some safety aspects must be addressed before feeding a combustion device with DME because of its low flash point (as low as −83°C), its low auto-ignition temperature and large domain of explosivity in air. As far as emissions are concerned, the existing literature shows that in non premixed flames, DME produces less NOx than ethane taken as parent molecular structure, based on an equivalent heat input to the burner. During a field test performed in a gas turbine, a change-over from methane to DME led to a higher fuel nozzle temperature but to a lower exhaust gas temperature. NOx emissions decreased over the whole range of heat input studied but a dramatic increase of CO emissions was observed. This work aims to study the combustion behavior of DME in gas turbine conditions with the help of a detailed kinetic modeling. Several important combustion parameters, such as the auto-ignition temperature (AIT), ignition delay times, laminar burning velocities of premixed flames, adiabatic flame temperatures, and the formation of pollutants like CO and NOx have been investigated. These data have been compared with those calculated in the case of methane combustion. The model was built starting from a well validated mechanism taken from the literature and already used to predict the behavior of other alternative fuels. In flame conditions, DME forms formaldehyde as the major intermediate, the consumption of which leads in few steps to CO then CO2. The lower amount of CH2 radicals in comparison with methane flames seems to decrease the possibility of prompt-NO formation. This paper covers the low temperature oxidation chemistry of DME which is necessary to properly predict ignition temperatures and auto-ignition delay times that are important parameters for safety.


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