Synthetic Fuel Combustion Characterization

Problems involved in combustion characterization are discussed, with emphasis on the utilization of synthetic fuels in industrial burners. By investigating the effects of fuel properties and characteristics of the combustion process, including droplet and spray formation, droplet vaporization and burning, ignition and flame stabilization, combustion completion, and burner emissions, a ranking of the importance of uncertainties in fuel properties determination is developed. A key requirement for synthetic fuel combustion characterization is found to be an accurate and comprehensive chemical kinetics model. The development of a detailed quasiglobal model for the combustion kinetics of SRC-II middle distillate and No. 2 fuel oil is described. Results of comparisons of this approach with experimental data are shown. The model is seen to provide an accurate characterization of the combustion process for neat fuels for which experimental data are available. Predictions of combustion characteristics of No. 2 fuel oil and SRC-II MD are in accordance with expected trends and the limited experimental data.