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Fundamental combustion studies of emulsified fuels. Final report

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7044086· OSTI ID:7044086
An experimental apparatus was designed and built in order to study the combustion of free, isolated fuel droplets at low Reynolds number conditions. Studies were conducted into the disruptive combustion behavior of n-paraffin/water emulsions and binary solutions of n-paraffins. A lower limiting paraffin boiling point was determined so that nucleation of water in emulsions was achieved. Solutions exhibited a limited range of composition for which disruption of the droplets was observed. A minimum difference in boiling points of the components was necessary to achieve disruption. Analysis of vapor bubble growth indicated fundamental differences between the behavior of emulsions and solutions. The work on binary paraffin solutions was extended to alcohol/paraffin solutions which also exhibited disruptive activity within a range of composition. Studies of emulsified No. 2 oil and ethanol/No. 2 oil solutions indicated the existence of microexplosions wih the combustion of these fuel blends. Finally, a full scale boiler test was conducted to determine the impact of heavy oil/water emulsification on boiler operating characteristics. The most significant effect was the reduction of large carbon particulate emissions.
Research Organization:
Princeton Univ., NJ (USA). Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-78ER10113
OSTI ID:
7044086
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/10113-10; ON: DE82021289
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English