System Characterization and Catalytic Ignition of Propane-Air Mixtures in a Plug Flow Reactor

This project advanced the National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology’s (NIATT’s) goal of using aqueous ethanol in vehicle transportation and it describes further progress on the catalytic plug flow reactor. The catalytic plug flow reactor under development will allow the study of combustion properties of aqueous ethanol. Time response characterization of the mixing section was performed to understand how long it will take transient upstream conditions effect the reaction after the mixing section. Experiments were performed to determine what distance downstream from the mixing section actually had plug flow. A mathematical heat transfer model was also created to understand the energy flow around the catalytic ignition wire in the reaction section. This was followed by finite element modeling of the catalytic wire. The fist tests of ignition temperature were conducted using propane/air mixtures over a heated platinum wire.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This research was funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology

  University of Idaho, Moscow
  115 Engineering Physics Building
  Moscow, ID  United States  83844-0901

  Research and Special Programs Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Patel, Amit
  • Steciak, Judith
• Publication Date: 2006-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 43p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternate fuels; Ethanol; Finite element method; Fuel air mixtures; Methanol fuels; Platinum; Propane; Vehicles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Catalytic ignition; Plug flow reactor
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I15: Environment; I95: Vehicle Inspection;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01079752
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: KLK342, N06-12B, USDOT/RSPA/DIR-1
• Contract Numbers: DTRS98-G-0027 (Grant)
• Files: UTC, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 22 2007 10:55AM