Resumen de Analysis of fuel effects on the diffusive flame structure using advanced optical techniques in a single cylinder optical engine
Francisco José Tejada Magraner
The increase in CO2 emissions in the transport sector has been continuous in recent years, mainly due to the carbonization of the sector, together with the increase in the vehicle fleet. This fact has adverse effects on environmental quality, being this gas is one of the main constituents of greenhouse gases, thus contributing to global warming.
To mitigate CO2 emissions, a policy with strict regulations leading to decarbonizing the transport sector is necessary. In this regard, electrification of the transport sector is the main way to achieve such goals. Unfortunately, moving to full electrification of the sector in a relatively short time presents certain difficulties, such as high demand for renewable electricity, low battery capacity, and lack of refueling stations. Therefore, using synthetic fuels obtained from renewable energy sources is presented as a complementary option to help achieve CO2 emission reduction targets because it can be implemented more quickly.
This doctoral thesis deals with characterizing two synthetic fuels, OME1 and OMEX. First, a study was carried out to characterize both fuels high and low temperature flame structures under reference conditions of the Engine Combustion Network (ECN) in a high-pressure and high-temperature installation. Subsequently, measurements were performed on an optical engine, evaluating the effect of combining the use of OMEX/diesel blends and unconventional piston geometries on in-cylinder soot formation. Non-conventional piston geometries were used because, in diesel studies, soot reductions are achieved by improving the air-fuel mixing process. Therefore, it is intended to analyze whether this effect is also obtained in the presence of a synthetic fuel such as OMEX.
The facilities where the different studies have been carried out have optical accesses. Through them, different visualization techniques have been used based on laser and the radiation emitted by the flame.
In conclusion, it could be summarized that it has been seen that what is already known about the diesel combustion process can be applied to the combustion of OMEX, with the benefit that this is a fuel that does not present a soot precursor structure, making it suitable for real engine applications. Despite the incompatibilities of this fuel with the engine infrastructure, this is solved by using blends with diesel, which, in addition, by combining it with non-conventional piston geometries, significant reductions in in-cylinder soot formation are obtained.
