Author: A. Saylam
Document type: Published research article
Journal: Asian Journal of Engineering and Technology Innovation
Year: 2020
Volume: 8
Issue: 2
Pages: 1–12
This study explores the production of useful low-intermediate-temperature chemistry products, including oxygenated hydrocarbons, hydrogen peroxide, formaldehyde, and alkenes, from methane, ethane, propane, n-butane, n-pentane, n-hexane, and n-heptane in a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine using single-zone modeling.
The simulations were performed at a fixed intake temperature of 400 K and intake pressure of 1 bar, while varying the compression ratio from 3 to 19, engine speed from 100 to 2000 rpm, and equivalence ratio of the investigated n-alkane/air mixtures from 0.05 to 1.
The main production of target species is generated within portions of the low-intermediate-temperature region, starting near 680 K and extending to around 1000 K depending on the n-alkane. Maximum production occurs during the highest mixture reactivity near top dead center and can survive the remaining cycle when autoignition is avoided.
An engine speed of 400 rpm is identified as favorable for the studied C1–C7 n-alkanes. A compression ratio of 5 is near optimal for the conversion of C4–C7 n-alkanes, while higher compression ratios are needed for the lower-reactivity C1–C3 alkanes.
The intermediate reactivity of n-butane allows a wide productive equivalence-ratio range reaching stoichiometric conditions, while other n-alkanes require leaner productive conditions. The modeled synthesis of chemicals or reactive fuel blends using an HCCI engine is theoretically justified, with yields up to 85% for n-heptane, but requires experimental validation.
PDF: hcci-engine-chemical-reactor.pdf
Saylam, A. (2020). HCCI Engine as chemical reactor to produce fuel/chemicals: An exploring study of n-alkanes low-temperature chemistry in an HCCI Engine. Asian Journal of Engineering and Technology Innovation, 8(2), 1–12.