Technical Papers
Nov 26, 2021

Synergistic Effect of Mixing Ethylene with Propane on the Morphology and Nanostructure of Soot in Laminar Coflow Diffusion Flames

Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 148, Issue 1

Abstract

The synergistic effect of mixing ethylene with propane on the nanostructure and morphology evolution of soot in laminar coflow diffusion flames was investigated via combining thermophoresis sampling and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A strong synergistic effect was observed regarding the soot yields when 0.05 and 0.1 propane ratios were applied. However, it was inhibited at 0.2 propane ratio. At the height above burner (HAB) of 20 mm, the soot size generated from pure ethylene flame was larger than other mixed fuel flames. At the lower and higher HABs, the addition of propane could increase the mean primary soot diameter in different degrees. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis showed that the propane addition resulted in larger fringe length, smaller fringe tortuosity, and spacing at 0.1 and 0.2 propane ratios—especially at 0.2 ratio—indicating the soot have a more compact structure and higher degree of graphitization.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

Data Availability Statement

All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51776163) and Natural Science Basic Research Plan in Shaanxi Province of China (Grant No. 2020JM-053). HRTEM analysis was performed at Instrumental Analysis Center of Xi’an Jiaotong University.

References

Apicella, B., P. Pré, M. Alfè, A. Ciajolo, V. Gargiulo, C. Russo, A. Tregrossi, D. Deldique, and J. N. Rouzaud. 2015. “Soot nanostructure evolution in premixed flames by high resolution electron transmission microscopy (HRTEM).” Proc. Combust. Inst. 35 (2): 1895–1902. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proci.2014.06.121.
Botero, M. L., D. Chen, S. González-Calera, D. Jefferson, and M. Kraft. 2016. “HRTEM evaluation of soot particles produced by the non-premixed combustion of liquid fuels.” Carbon 96 (Jan): 459–473. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2015.09.077.
Botero, M. L., Y. Sheng, J. Akroyd, J. Martin, J. A. H. Dreyer, W. Yang, and M. Kraft. 2019. “Internal structure of soot particles in a diffusion flame.” Carbon 141 (Jan): 635–642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2018.09.063.
Chen, H. X., and R. A. Dobbins. 2007. “Crystallogenesis of particles formed in hydrocarbon combustion.” Combust. Sci. Technol. 159 (1): 109–128. https://doi.org/10.1080/00102200008935779.
Chu, H., W. Han, W. Cao, M. Gu, and G. Xu. 2019. “Effect of methane addition to ethylene on the morphology and size distribution of soot in a laminar co-flow diffusion flame.” Energy 166 (Jan): 392–400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.10.093.
Han, Z., S. Leng, B. Li, and Q. Xia. 2018. “Influence of coupling action of oxygenated fuel and gas circuit oxygen on soot generation in a diesel engine.” J. Energy Eng. 144 (5): 04018048. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000564.
Hardalupas, Y., C. Hong, C. Keramiotis, A. M. K. P. Taylor, D. Touloupis, and G. Vourliotakis. 2018. “Optical diagnostics investigation into the effect of pilot injection dwell time and injection pressure on combustion characteristics and soot emissions in a single-cylinder optical diesel engine.” J. Energy Eng. 144 (5): 04018056. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000571.
Hwang, J. Y., W. Lee, H. G. Kang, and S. H. Chung. 1998. “Synergistic effect of ethylene–propane mixture on soot formation in laminar diffusion flames.” Combust. Flame 114 (3–4): 370–380. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-2180(97)00295-2.
Kang, Y., Y. Sun, X. Lu, X. Gou, S. Sun, J. Yan, Y. Song, P. Zhang, Q. Wang, and X. Ji. 2018. “Soot formation characteristics of ethylene premixed burner-stabilized stagnation flame with dimethyl ether addition.” Energy 150 (May): 709–721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.03.025.
Kelesidis, G. A., M. R. Kholghy, J. Zuercher, J. Robertz, M. Allemann, A. Duric, and S. E. Pratsinis. 2020. “Light scattering from nanoparticle agglomerates.” Powder Technol. 365 (Apr): 52–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2019.02.003.
Kennedy, I. M. 2007. “The health effects of combustion-generated aerosols.” Proc. Combust. Inst. 31 (2): 2757–2770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proci.2006.08.116.
Kholghy, M., M. Saffaripour, C. Yip, and M. J. Thomson. 2013. “The evolution of soot morphology in a laminar coflow diffusion flame of a surrogate for Jet A-1.” Combust. Flame 160 (10): 2119–2130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2013.04.008.
Lapuerta, M., J. Barba, A. D. Sediako, M. R. Kholghy, and M. J. Thomson. 2017. “Morphological analysis of soot agglomerates from biodiesel surrogates in a coflow burner.” J. Aerosol Sci. 111 (Sep): 65–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaerosci.2017.06.004.
Lee, S. M., S. S. Yoon, and S. H. Chung. 2004. “Synergistic effect on soot formation in counterflow diffusion flames of ethylene–propane mixtures with benzene addition.” Combust. Flame 136 (4): 493–500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2003.12.005.
Lin, B., H. Gu, H. Ni, B. Guan, Z. Li, D. Han, C. Gu, C. Shao, Z. Huang, and H. Lin. 2018. “Effect of mixing methane, ethane, propane and ethylene on the soot particle size distribution in a premixed propene flame.” Combust. Flame 193 (Jul): 54–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2018.03.002.
Liu, J., J. Yang, P. Sun, L. Zhao, and Z. Liu. 2020. “Experimental study on soot oxidation characteristics of diesel engine with CE-based fuel-borne catalyst fuel.” J. Energy Eng. 146 (3): 04020009. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000659.
Liu, P., Z. Li, and W. L. Roberts. 2019. “The growth of PAHs and soot in the post-flame region.” Proc. Combust. Inst. 37 (1): 977–984. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proci.2018.05.047.
Luo, M., and D. Liu. 2018. “Effects of dimethyl ether addition on soot formation, evolution and characteristics in flame-wall interactions.” Energy 164 (Dec): 642–654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.09.012.
Martos, F. J., M. Lapuerta, J. J. Expósito, and E. Sanmiguel-Rojas. 2017. “Overestimation of the fractal dimension from projections of soot agglomerates.” Powder Technol. 311 (Apr): 528–536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2017.02.011.
Oh, K., U. Lee, H. Shin, and E. Lee. 2005. “The evolution of incipient soot particles in an inverse diffusion flame of ethene.” Combust. Flame 140 (3): 249–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2004.12.002.
Seong, H. J., and A. L. Boehman. 2012. “Studies of soot oxidative reactivity using a diffusion flame burner.” Combust. Flame 159 (5): 1864–1875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2012.01.009.
Vander Wal, R. L., and A. J. Tomasek. 2003. “Soot oxidation.” Combust. Flame 134 (Apr): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-2180(03)00084-1.
Wang, J., M. An, B. F. Yin, B. Wang, P. Chen, and W. Z. He. 2020. “Combustion and emission characteristics of diesel engines using diesel, DMF-diesel, and n-pentanol-diesel fuel blends.” J. Energy Eng. 146 (4): 04020025. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000679.
Wang, Y., and S. H. Chung. 2019. “Soot formation in laminar counterflow flames.” Prog. Energy Combust. Sci. 74 (Sep): 152–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2019.05.003.
Wang, Y., A. Raj, and S. H. Chung. 2013. “A PAH growth mechanism and synergistic effect on PAH formation in counterflow diffusion flames.” Combust. Flame 160 (9): 1667–1676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2013.03.013.
Ying, Y., and D. Liu. 2017. “Effects of flame configuration and soot aging on soot nanostructure and reactivity in n-butanol-doped ethylene diffusion flames.” Energy Fuels 32 (1): 607–624. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.7b00042.
Ying, Y., and D. Liu. 2018. “Nanostructure evolution and reactivity of nascent soot from inverse diffusion flames in CO2, N2, and He atmospheres.” Carbon 139 (Nov): 172–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2018.06.047.
Yoon, S. S., D. H. Anh, and S. H. Chung. 2008. “Synergistic effect of mixing dimethyl ether with methane, ethane, propane, and ethylene fuels on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and soot formation.” Combust. Flame 154 (3): 368–377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2008.04.019.
Yoon, S. S., S. M. Lee, and S. H. Chung. 2005. “Effect of mixing methane, ethane, propane, and propene on the synergistic effect of PAH and soot formation in ethylene-base counterflow diffusion flames.” Proc. Combust. Inst. 30 (1): 1417–1424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proci.2004.08.038.
Zhang, H. B., D. Hou, C. K. Law, and X. You. 2016. “Role of carbon-addition and hydrogen-migration reactions in soot surface growth.” J. Phys. Chem. A 120 (5): 683–689. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.5b10306.
Zhang, L., K. Yang, R. Zhao, M. Chen, Y. Ying, and D. Liu. 2020. “Nanostructure and reactivity of soot from biofuel 2,5-dimethylfuran pyrolysis with CO2 additions.” Frontiers Energy 2020 (Jan): 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-020-0658-3.
Zhou, J. H., C. S. Cheung, W. Z. Zhao, Z. Ning, and C. W. Leung. 2015. “Impact of intake hydrogen enrichment on morphology, structure and oxidation reactivity of diesel particulate.” Appl. Energy 160 (Dec): 442–455. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.09.036.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Energy Engineering
Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 148Issue 1February 2022

History

Received: May 7, 2021
Accepted: Oct 17, 2021
Published online: Nov 26, 2021
Published in print: Feb 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Apr 26, 2022

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Qianqian Li [email protected]
Associate Professor, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong Univ., No. 28, West Xianning Rd., Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, PR China (corresponding author). Email: [email protected]
Liangchen Wang
Master Degree Candidate, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong Univ., No. 28, West Xianning Rd., Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, PR China.
Rong Yang
Undergraduate, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong Univ., No. 28, West Xianning Rd., Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, PR China.
Zhiyu Yan
Ph.D. Candidate, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong Univ., No. 28, West Xianning Rd., Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, PR China.
Chen Song
Master Degree Candidate, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong Univ., No. 28, West Xianning Rd., Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, PR China.
Zuohua Huang
Professor, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong Univ., No. 28, West Xianning Rd., Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, PR China.

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

  • Effects of blending methane, propane, and propylene on soot evolution in ethylene diffusion flames based on optical diagnostics, Fuel, 10.1016/j.fuel.2022.126317, 334, (126317), (2023).

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share