Compression Ratio and Catalyst Aging Effects on Aqueous Ethanol: Finite Element Model of a Heated Wire Catalyst in Cross Flow

摘要

Our project seeks to advance catalytic plasma torch (CPT) technology through reactor studies, engine design, modeling, and engine testing activities. This report discusses our efforts to ignite lean homogeneous air-fuel mixtures in engines under conditions approaching Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI). An evaporator for low-density liquids including ethanol and water was developed, tested, and installed. Our initial experiments were conducted to measure the temperature of a heated platinum wire exposed to propane, oxygen, and water vapor for development of a one-step model of catalytic ignition of propane and oxygen on platinum. In the future, we intend to enclose the reactor to measure the conversion efficiency of fuel to combustion products. These experiments will require a water cooled nitrogen quenching probe, which was designed and built. Experimentally obtained temperatures of a heated coiled platinum wire in low Reynolds Number cross-flow were compared with a three-dimensional finite volume model. The calculated average wire temperature was in good agreement with experimentally obtained values with deviations close to experimental uncertainty bounds at temperatures between 530K and 815K. The rate of heat generated at the wire surface from catalytic reactions was found for the ignition of lean propane/oxygen/nitrogen mixtures.