Understanding the low-temperature oxidation kinetics of ethers – KINOXET

To achieve this objective, the stable species formed during oxidation will be measured and kinetic mechanisms will be developed to interpret these experimental observations elucidating the fuel decomposition pathways as well as the formation pathways of the identified species. A plug-flow reactor will be built in order to have additional detailed data as a function of residence time and temperature.

The first results obtained in the jet-stirred reactor (JSR) shows two zones of low-temperature reactivity, a rare phenomenon, which we had previously observed with dibutyl ether. This interesting phenomenon has never been observed during the oxidation of molecules belonging to other chemical families, and requires detailed modeling.

This project aims to elucidate this behavior from both experimental and kinetic modeling points of view and to contribute to the establishment of structure/reactivity relationships concerning ethers.

The project KINOXET aims at understanding the low-temperature oxidation behavior of ether type biofuels. Our recent research has shown an unconventional oxidation behavior with certain ethers, for which there is no clear kinetic explanation yet. This shows that we need investigate beyond our comfort zone of the classical scheme of low temperature kinetics, exhibited by many fuels. For this purpose we will build a tubular flow reactor, in order to obtain detailed intermediate species information as a function of residence time and temperature on selected non-cyclic and cyclic ethers with focus on low temperature. Moreover, detailed kinetic models will be developed representing these data. This project will allow the scientific coordinator to be able to hold an independent research activity within her laboratory, and consolidating the research efforts of her team.