In this study iso-pentanol is investigated as model compound for the next-generation biofuels. This branched alcohol is of special interest because it can be produced from biomass via advanced biochemical routes using fungi and shows promising combustion characteristics for homogeneous-charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines.Two flat flames of iso-pentanol were stabilized at low pressure and analyzed by a flame-sampling molecular-beam mass spectrometry. Single-photon ionization with high energy resolution was combined with a reflectron time-of-flight spectrometer providing high mass resolution. Experimentally determined mole fraction profiles for more than 40 flame species were used to guide the development of a combustion chemistry model for the high-temperature oxidation chemistry of iso-pentanol. The chemical kinetic model presented herein has been previously validated against high temperature shock tube ignition delay, premixed laminar flame speed, and counterflow diffusion flame strained extinction.  For the first time, it is validated against detailed speciation profiles of combustion intermediates.

Combustion chemistry of next-generation biofuels: Detailed investigation of <i>iso</i>-pentanol flames

245th National Meeting (2013)

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Combustion chemistry of next-generation biofuels: Detailed investigation of iso-pentanol flames