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A flow reactor study of the oxidation of n-octane and iso-octane

Journal Article · · Combust. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

An experimental study has been conducted in a flow reactor on the oxidation of n-octane and iso-octane at 1080 K, one atmosphere pressure and equivalence ratio equal to one. It was found that (despite similar ratios of initial fuel decay) the conversion of the reaction intermediates to CO and CO/sub 2/ is much slower during the oxidation of iso-octane than n-octane. Iso-octane produced primarily iso-butylene and propylene as intermediate hydrocarbons whereas n-octane oxidation resulted primarily in the formation of ethylene. Both the nature of the intermediates formed from each fuel and the relative rates of oxidation of the intermediates were shown to be related to the number of primary, secondary and tertiary H atoms present in the initial fuel. The basic chemistry revealed by the flow reactor experiments is suggestive of new insights into the chemical phenomena pertinent to knock in spark ignition engines.

Research Organization:
Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton Univ., Princeton, NJ 08544
OSTI ID:
5599192
Journal Information:
Combust. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Combust. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 45:3/4; ISSN CBSTB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English