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The Reactivity Behavior of n-Heptane and Isooctane Blends in a Motored Knock Research Engine
Technical documentation

The Reactivity Behavior of n-Heptane and Isooctane Blends in a Motored Knock Research Engine

D.J Filipe, H.L Li, D.L Miller and N.P Cernansky
01 Feb 1992

Abstract

This paper presents results of studies investigating the reactivity of primary reference fuel blends in a motored research engine. Reactivity was quantified by measuring exhaust manifold carbon monoxide concentration [CO], cylinder pressure histories, and in-cylinder gas composition. The fuels used were n-heptane (0 PRF), isooctane (100 PRF), and blends of the two with octane values of 0, 25, 55, 63, 75, 87, and 100. A supercharged single-cylinder engine was motored at a constant engine speed and constant inlet pressure as the inlet gas temperature was increased by manifold heating until either the fuel/air mixture autoignited or the maximum temperature of the facility (490 K) was reached. In-cylinder gas samples were obtained and analyzed by gas chromatography for overall fuel reactivity and for the concentrations of light hydrocarbon (<C4) and product species. In-cylinder measurements for each blend examined two factors: (1) the effect of inlet gas temperature on the net reactivity as measured late in the cycle; and (2) the reactivity as a function of crank angle at the highest, non-autoigniting inlet temperature. Results showed that all PRF blends greater than 55 PRF exhibited Negative Temperature Coefficient behavior, with in-cylinder measurements indicating that as much as 40-50% of both n-heptane and isooctane were consumed during the cycle. Also, increasing the amount of n-heptane in a PRF blend increased the level of fuel consumption for both n-heptane and isooctane as well as the magnitudes of stable intermediates. Heat release calculations indicated that the energy release for the 63 PRF was 6.9% of the total energy available when 48% of the fuel had reacted.

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