Experimental Study of Combustion and Soot Formation of Diesel and Oxygenated Fuels
Lead Research Organisation:
Brunel University London
Department Name: Mech. Engineering, Aerospace & Civil Eng
Abstract
This PhD study aims to focus on the combustion and soot formation processes of diesel and oxygenated fuels. This includes the study of the flame stability, flame lift-off length, flame-related phenomena during the transient injection periods and soot development processes. The intention is to study these parameters in a pressurised chamber, for which temperature and pressure can be controlled. Measurements can be taken by means of UV photodiodes and high-speed cameras, and further processed using MATLAB. By quantifying these parameters a complete understanding and optimisation of the combustion process can be achieved, driving towards the development of more environmentally friendly fuels. This will also help further the understanding of the combustion of fuels currently in use (diesel), which in turn will help develop strategies to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509437/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1818013 | Studentship | EP/N509437/1 | 01/10/2016 | 31/07/2020 | Irene Ruiz Rodriguez |
| EP/R512990/1 | 01/10/2018 | 30/09/2023 | |||
| 1818013 | Studentship | EP/R512990/1 | 01/10/2016 | 31/07/2020 | Irene Ruiz Rodriguez |
| Description | Several research achievements have been made so far but others are still work in progress. We have investigated how using different spray angle measurement methods available in the literature to measure diesel sprays can generate different spray angle value outcomes, which can distort the perception of the spray and provide different inputs for models. For the different methods, we studied the differences between them throughout the injection event and their behaviour on transient events. We discovered that the differences are significant especially in transient parts of the injection. A small study was made on how this impacts the interpretation of air entrainment and it was shown that different angle values produce different results for the amount of air entrained. This has also opened new research questions - to what extent do the different angle values affect the interpretation of emissions? A key part of the project was to study the combustion development of diesel and diesel oxygenated fuels. We have discovered a carbon chain number of fuels that could be compatible with fuels in diesel engines and have studied their neat combustion properties. We have proven that they can be used neat and that they have similar thermophysical properties to diesel. Their soot development was also studied and compared between different moieties. They reduce soot significantly. Furthermore, the oxygenated fuels were blended with long-chain hydrocarbons to explore their soot reduction properties as part of a blend (moving towards more real-world applications). Soot was still reduced significantly. Quantitative findings and hypotheses can be found in the publications related to this. |
| Exploitation Route | The findings on the spray angle measurements methods can be put forward by academia, as it will help computational modelers input more reliable data to the models. It will also help standardise the measurement of the diesel spray angle. In industry, this will be useful because it will help with the interpretation of the data for the development of new injectors and new injection schemes, as it will provide an understanding on how using different data from the literature that uses different spray angle methods could impact the interpretation of it. The research on oxygenated fuels can be taken forward by investigating further (chemically and under different engine conditions) the oxygenates that we found are compatible with diesel engine-like set-ups. It can be put in use by automotive industries and other internal combustion industries providing a possible alternative fuel blend to help reduce the emissions on diesel engines and also by providing a potential alternative to fossil fuels. Further details on how the findings can be put forward by different users are provided in the publications. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy,Environment,Transport |
| Description | PETRA, ILASS Europe |
| Amount | € 1,500 (EUR) |
| Organisation | ILASS – Europe |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Start | 07/2018 |
| End | 07/2018 |
| Description | ICLASS Chicago Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presented at a conference a paper |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | ILASS Europe |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference to present research on oxygenates with academic and industry profesisonals |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | IMechE ICE Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Present the potential use of the fuels we selected in current engine technology |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Presentation at a UK Combustion Meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was the UnICEG meeting, where academia an industry come together to discuss recent advances in the sector |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |