Transfer to sustainable energy is the requirement of the present hour & there has been a considerable push towards renewable non-combustion-based energy generation. Nevertheless, it is estimated that conventional combustion of hydrocarbons will still be the most significant energy source for the next decades. Considering this, it is of paramount importance to optimize combustion-based energy generation. One possible area of minimizing the environmental impact is by switching to biofuels, and one such promising biofuel is Methanol (CH3OH).
To advocate this transfer towards methanol, fundamental knowledge of its emission characteristics is required, especially trace pollutants like Formaldehyde (CH2O). In combustion engineering, Chemical Kinetics Models are a useful tool to predict these combustion behaviors. These models are only validated against a limited set of experimental measurements. Considering this, it is important to validate the existing chemical mechanisms for a broader set of operational range.
This research provides for detailed validation of the existing Methanol chemical kinetic mechanism by correlating simulation & experimental data from Methanol oxidation in an Opposed Jet Combustor (OJC). The work includes experimental Chemiluminescence & temperature measurement for both atomized & vaporized Methanol combustion, which are then correlated against Chemkin OPPDIF simulations.
Additionally, the presentation will showcase simulation results focused on identifying methods of minimizing Formaldehyde (CH2O) emission. These parametric simulations explores the novel method of controlling CH2O emission by using Water mixed Methanol.
