The experimental analysis of an autothermal gasoline reformer for use in an auxiliary power unit was undertaken. The development of these auxiliary power units has the potential to create positive economical and environmental benefits. It will provide the necessary energy and heating while utilizing a fuel with a well established infrastructure. Autothermal reforming is a process in which both oxygen and steam are combined with a hydrocarbon fuel over a catalyst bed in order to produce a hydrogen rich gas stream. This process utilizes an exothermic partial oxidation reaction to promote the hydrogen efficient, endothermic steam reforming reaction. The main goals of this study were to design and test the operating conditions of a new autothermal reformer and to determine an operational envelope for the reactor. Furthermore, the data collected was used to validate a numerical model of the reactor that would assist in the development of future compact autothermal reformers. A compact autothermal reformer has been designed with the capability to produce detailed wall and centerline temperature profiles during operation. During the experimental phase of this project, a strong relationship between the main input variables (the oxygen to carbon and steam to carbon ratios) and the performance characteristics of the reactor was found. For the range of experimental conditions tested, the highest molar percent of hydrogen in the reformate for a gas hourly space velocity of 20,000h-1 was found at an oxygen to carbon ratio of 1.0 and a steam to carbon ratio of 2.0. Performance characteristics used for the reactor were the lower heating value, the percent hydrogen yield and fuel conversion, and were found to have maximum values of 46.0%, 47.6% and 67.7% respectively. Carbon deposition on the catalyst bed was found to be significant under certain operating conditions, but had a very small effect on the final conditions of the ATR. The computational fluid dynamics model was shown to have fairly accurate predictions for the temperature profiles as well as the reformate compositions when compared to the experimental data. A number of recommendations have been made to the experimental and numerical studies. It is likely that if employed in future testing, they would improve the overall performance of the compact autothermal reformer. / Thesis (Master, Mechanical and Materials Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2008-04-23 17:14:46.198

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2007. / "May, 2007." Includes bibliographical references. Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Le durcissement des normes d’émission, tout autant que l’impératif d’économie,poussent à étudier de nouveaux modes de combustion pour les moteurs. L’autoallumage decharges homogènes à basse température offre de bonnes perspectives quant au rejet de NOx,suies, et CO2. Cependant son control reste délicat, car il est extrêmement sensible à latempérature et la cinétique de l’hydrocarbure. L’assistance par plasma hors-équilibre pourraitfournir une solution. Les expériences sont menées dans une MCR avec des mélanges pauvresd’isooctane/air et un prototype d’allumeur Renault. La combustion obtenue identifiée commeSICI se déroule en deux phases: la propagation d’une flamme comprime les gaz restantjusqu’à leur autoallumage. Le réchauffement du système expérimental est intégré dans leprotocole d’exploitation, afin de quantifier l’effet SICI relativement à l’autoallumage pur.L’effet du plasma semble avant tout dépendre de l’énergie déposée, bien qu’il convergerapidement, quel que soit l’avance du déclenchement. Le comportement asymptotique à hauteénergie s’explique par la thermalisation des filaments, soulignée par comparaison avec l’effetSICI d’un arc classique. A l’inverse, le seuil minimal d’énergie nécessaire semble lié à lacapacité à générer un noyau de flamme viable, rapprochant le phénomène d’un problèmeclassique d’allumage en conditions difficiles. La propagation de la flamme détermine ledéclenchement de l’autoallumage selon une caractéristique linéaire particulièrementremarquable, car indépendante des conditions thermodynamiques du mélange. L’existenced’une flamme froide est mise en avant par des acquisitions de PLIF formaldéhyde. Lapréréaction semble accélérer la propagation du front de flamme. / Emission standards tightening as well as economical needs urge to study newcombustion modes for engines. Low-temperature homogeneous charge auto-ignition offersgood prospects for NOx, soot, and CO2 emissions. However, its control remains sharp for it isextremely influenced by temperature and fuel chemistry. Assisting non-equilibrium plasmascould provide a solution. Experiments are RCM managed with lean isooctane/air mixtures andprototype Renault ignition devise. Combustion occurs in a two steps mode known as SICI:flame propagation compresses the remaining gas to auto-ignition. The experimental settemperature rise is computed in order to measure the SICI effect compared to pure autoignition.The plasma seems to act mainly through the energy dropped, albeit its effect quicklyreaches a maximum, no matter how early it starts. This asymptomatic high energy behaviorrelies on the streamers overheating, as underlined by the look-like SICI effect from a regulararc discharge. On the contrary, minimal required energy appears to be linked to the capabilityof generating a sustainable flame kernel, making it closer to a standard ignition issue in roughconditions. Flame propagation sets auto-ignition start, according to an astonishingly linearcharacteristic not even influenced by charge’s thermodynamic conditions. Cool flame is putforward through formaldehyde PLIF imaging. Prereaction seems to enhance front propagationspeed.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1964. / Typescript. Includes abstract, computer source code, and vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 328-337).

Le moteur downsizé à allumage commandé constitue l’une des voies principales explorées par les constructeurs automobiles pour améliorer le rendement et réduire les émissions de dioxyde de carbone des motorisations essence. Il s’agit de combiner une réduction de la cylindrée avec une forte suralimentation afin d’améliorer le rendement du moteur, en particulier à faibles et moyennes charges. Leur mise au point est limitée par l’augmentation des combustions anormales, dont le contrôle par forte dilution peut également entraîner l'apparition de variabilités cycliques importantes. Actuellement, la compréhension des nombreux paramètres intervenant dans l'apparition de ces phénomènes et de leurs interactions, reste encore imparfaite. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif de ce travail est de contribuer à la compréhension des mécanismes impliqués dans les processus de propagation des flammes turbulentes. Cette étude est réalisée dans une enceinte de combustion sphérique haute pression haute température, équipée de ventilateurs générant une turbulence homogène et isotrope. La première partie de ce travail est consacrée à l’étude de la combustion prémélangée laminaire isooctane/air. Dans un deuxième temps, l’aérodynamique de l’écoulement dans l’enceinte est finement caractérisée par Vélocimétrie Laser Doppler et Vélocimétrie par Images de Particules. Enfin, la propagation des flammes turbulentes est étudiée en termes de vitesse à partir de visualisations par ombroscopie. Une loi unifiée, permettant de décrire la propagation des flammes turbulentes indépendamment des conditions thermodynamiques initiales, de l’intensité de la turbulence et de la nature du mélange réactif est notamment proposée. / Engine downsizing is a promising way explored for reducing carbon dioxide and pollutant emissions of spark ignition engines. Its principle is to reduce the engine size and to increase its specific power with the use of a turbocharger, especially at middle and high loads. Its development leads to the appearance of abnormal combustions, whose control by a high dilution rate can also lead to important cyclic variabilities. The understanding of the multiple parameters controlling these phenomena and their interactions, is still very limited. In this context, the present thesis addresses the issue related to the understanding of the mechanisms implied in turbulent flame propagation processes. This study is carried out in a fan-stirred high pressure high temperature spherical combustion vessel where turbulence is homogeneous and isotropic. The first part of this study concerns the study of laminar premixed flames of isooctane/air mixtures. Second, the turbulent flow in the vessel is accurately characterized using Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Particle Image Velocimetry measurements. Then, turbulent flame propagation is investigated in terms of flame velocity using shadowgraph visualizations. A unified scaling law for the turbulent propagation speed is especially proposed, regardless of the thermodynamic initial conditions, the intensity of the turbulence and the nature of the air/fuel mixture.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are carcinogenic persistent contaminants. Although their manufacturing in North America ceased in the late 1970s, their high heat resistance made their use widespread over their production lifetime. As a result, PCB contamination has occurred globally and in particular has plague brownfield redevelopment in urban environments. The remediation of PCB contaminated soil or sediments has historically been dealt with through the expensive and unsustainable practice of excavation followed by off-site disposal or incineration. One potential technology that has shown some success with on-site remediation of PCB contamination is solvent extraction. Solvent extraction is technically simple; it involves excavating the contaminated soil, placing it in a vessel and adding solvent. The PCBs are extracted by the solvent and the treated soil is returned for use on site. Although successful at removing a large quantity of PCBs from some soils, this technology can be improved upon by extracting additional PCB mass and making the extraction more efficient and suitable for colder climates. This thesis aimed to identify the factors controlling PCB extraction with solvents in order to optimize PCB extraction as it is applied on different soil types and in various climates. The research investigated the impact of elevated moisture contents (≤ 20% by weight) on solvent extraction efficiency, the effects of low temperatures (<5ºC) on solvent extraction, and developed a kinetic model to represent PCB solvent extraction. As past research has shown, weathered PCB in soil is more difficult to remove. Contaminated field samples from Southern Ontario, Canada were used for this work, rather than synthetically prepared samples. The impact of elevated moisture contents and low temperature on extraction efficiency was determined through a series of screening experiments using polar and non-polar solvents at both 20ºC and 4ºC. It was hypothesized that improved extractions may be possible with combinations of polar and non-polar solvents. Based on the results of these screening experiments, a factorial experiment was designed using solvent combinations to further assess the role of moisture contents and low temperatures. The role of PCB mass distribution among grain sizes was also evaluated to see if optimization based on grain size separation is possible. Finally, experiments were performed to generate data suitable for the development of a kinetic model that incorporates key factors affecting solvent extraction. Four suitable solvents for solvent extraction in Ontario were identified through a literature review and these were used for this work: isopropyl alcohol (polar), ethanol (polar), triethylamine (non-polar) and isooctane (non-polar). Triethylamine outperformed isooctane and performed best on its own rather than in combination with polar solvents. An interaction between soil moisture content and choice of polar solvent (isopropyl alcohol versus ethanol) was established: a given polar solvent achieves optimal PCB extraction at a specific moisture content range. Temperature was also identified as significantly influencing PCB extraction. Although it was determined that PCBs were distributed unevenly amongst grain sizes, a simple relationship between grain size and fractional organic carbon or organic content was not found. A simple two-compartment kinetic model was developed which is suitable for predicting the PCB concentrations extracted up to 24 hours. The model incorporates both temperature and soil to solvent ratio in order to estimate PCB concentration extracted.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are carcinogenic persistent contaminants. Although their manufacturing in North America ceased in the late 1970s, their high heat resistance made their use widespread over their production lifetime. As a result, PCB contamination has occurred globally and in particular has plague brownfield redevelopment in urban environments. The remediation of PCB contaminated soil or sediments has historically been dealt with through the expensive and unsustainable practice of excavation followed by off-site disposal or incineration. One potential technology that has shown some success with on-site remediation of PCB contamination is solvent extraction. Solvent extraction is technically simple; it involves excavating the contaminated soil, placing it in a vessel and adding solvent. The PCBs are extracted by the solvent and the treated soil is returned for use on site. Although successful at removing a large quantity of PCBs from some soils, this technology can be improved upon by extracting additional PCB mass and making the extraction more efficient and suitable for colder climates. This thesis aimed to identify the factors controlling PCB extraction with solvents in order to optimize PCB extraction as it is applied on different soil types and in various climates. The research investigated the impact of elevated moisture contents (≤ 20% by weight) on solvent extraction efficiency, the effects of low temperatures (<5ºC) on solvent extraction, and developed a kinetic model to represent PCB solvent extraction. As past research has shown, weathered PCB in soil is more difficult to remove. Contaminated field samples from Southern Ontario, Canada were used for this work, rather than synthetically prepared samples. The impact of elevated moisture contents and low temperature on extraction efficiency was determined through a series of screening experiments using polar and non-polar solvents at both 20ºC and 4ºC. It was hypothesized that improved extractions may be possible with combinations of polar and non-polar solvents. Based on the results of these screening experiments, a factorial experiment was designed using solvent combinations to further assess the role of moisture contents and low temperatures. The role of PCB mass distribution among grain sizes was also evaluated to see if optimization based on grain size separation is possible. Finally, experiments were performed to generate data suitable for the development of a kinetic model that incorporates key factors affecting solvent extraction. Four suitable solvents for solvent extraction in Ontario were identified through a literature review and these were used for this work: isopropyl alcohol (polar), ethanol (polar), triethylamine (non-polar) and isooctane (non-polar). Triethylamine outperformed isooctane and performed best on its own rather than in combination with polar solvents. An interaction between soil moisture content and choice of polar solvent (isopropyl alcohol versus ethanol) was established: a given polar solvent achieves optimal PCB extraction at a specific moisture content range. Temperature was also identified as significantly influencing PCB extraction. Although it was determined that PCBs were distributed unevenly amongst grain sizes, a simple relationship between grain size and fractional organic carbon or organic content was not found. A simple two-compartment kinetic model was developed which is suitable for predicting the PCB concentrations extracted up to 24 hours. The model incorporates both temperature and soil to solvent ratio in order to estimate PCB concentration extracted.

Le durcissement des normes d'émission, tout autant que l'impératif d'économie,poussent à étudier de nouveaux modes de combustion pour les moteurs. L'autoallumage decharges homogènes à basse température offre de bonnes perspectives quant au rejet de NOx,suies, et CO2. Cependant son control reste délicat, car il est extrêmement sensible à latempérature et la cinétique de l'hydrocarbure. L'assistance par plasma hors-équilibre pourraitfournir une solution. Les expériences sont menées dans une MCR avec des mélanges pauvresd'isooctane/air et un prototype d'allumeur Renault. La combustion obtenue identifiée commeSICI se déroule en deux phases: la propagation d'une flamme comprime les gaz restantjusqu'à leur autoallumage. Le réchauffement du système expérimental est intégré dans leprotocole d'exploitation, afin de quantifier l'effet SICI relativement à l'autoallumage pur.L'effet du plasma semble avant tout dépendre de l'énergie déposée, bien qu'il convergerapidement, quel que soit l'avance du déclenchement. Le comportement asymptotique à hauteénergie s'explique par la thermalisation des filaments, soulignée par comparaison avec l'effetSICI d'un arc classique. A l'inverse, le seuil minimal d'énergie nécessaire semble lié à lacapacité à générer un noyau de flamme viable, rapprochant le phénomène d'un problèmeclassique d'allumage en conditions difficiles. La propagation de la flamme détermine ledéclenchement de l'autoallumage selon une caractéristique linéaire particulièrementremarquable, car indépendante des conditions thermodynamiques du mélange. L'existenced'une flamme froide est mise en avant par des acquisitions de PLIF formaldéhyde. Lapréréaction semble accélérer la propagation du front de flamme.

A velocidade de propagação da chama em motores ciclo Otto é determinante das características do combustível, sendo fundamental seu conhecimento para um melhor ajuste do par motor/combustível. Maior velocidade de propagação da chama possibilita aumentar a potência com o aumento da rotação do motor. Assim, pode-se inclusive atrasar o avanço de ignição, com isto, menor será o trabalho negativo necessário para comprimir a mistura já em combustão antes do Ponto Morto Superior, e, maior será a eficiência do ciclo. A velocidade de propagação da chama é fortemente influenciada pela relação de compressão, condição de mistura, turbulência e avanço de ignição. Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a influência destes parâmetros de operação na velocidade de propagação da chama em um motor CFR (Cooperative Fuel Research). Para tanto são apresentados resultados experimentais de medidas de ângulo entre o momento de ignição do combustível e a detecção da chama na extremidade oposta da câmara de combustão por um sensor de ionização em um motor CFR. Também é mapeado o trabalho no diagrama pressão versus volume, que permite a avaliação do trabalho líquido produzido por ciclo e disponibiliza o valor do pico de pressão, o ângulo em que este ocorre, a pressão média efetiva e a curva de fração mássica queimada para cada condição ensaiada. Apresenta-se as análises da variação do ângulo de combustão tanto do MTBE quanto do isooctano em 5 diferentes avanços de ignição. Para o ensaio com etanol hidratado são apresentadas as análises realizadas com 6 relações de compressão, 5 avanços de ignição e 5 relações ar-combustível, onde todos os valores destes parâmetros em estudo abrangem faixas típicas de operação de motores comerciais. Os resultados indicam um menor ângulo de combustão para relações de compressão elevadas, condição de mistura ligeiramente rica e elevados avanços de ignição. / The flame speed propagation in Otto cycles engine is a conclusive fuel feature, whose knowledge has a fundamental importance for a better accuracy of the pair engine/fuel. The higher flame speed propagation enables a greater cylinder filling, which can also increase power with improvements in engine speed, as a result holding back the ignition advance. Thus, it will be necessary a lower negative work to compress the mixture already in combustion before the top dead center, then resulting a greater efficiency cycle. The flame speed propagation is highly influenced by the compression ratio, mixture condition and ignition advance. This thesis proposes to investigate the influence of these operational parameters over the flame speed propagation in a CFR engine [Cooperative Fuel Research]. In this way, the angle measurements are performed between the fuel ignition timing and the flame detection over the opposite edge of combustion chamber by a ionization sensor in a CFR engine, as well as the diagram work pressure versus volume, which allows the net work evaluation produced by cycles and available the high pressure value, the angle with this occurs, the mean effective pressure and the curve of mass fraction burned for each tease condition. It introduces the analysis of combustion duration variation as much MTBE as the isooctane in 5 distinct ignition advance for the hydratated ethanol testing are introduced analysis accomplished with 6 compression ratio, 5 ignition advances and 5 air/fuel ratio, whose parameters values studies incorporates typical operational ratios of commercial engines. The results indicated a low angular combustion duration for the higher compression ratio, slightly rich mixture condition and elevated ignition advance.

A velocidade de propagação da chama em motores ciclo Otto é determinante das características do combustível, sendo fundamental seu conhecimento para um melhor ajuste do par motor/combustível. Maior velocidade de propagação da chama possibilita aumentar a potência com o aumento da rotação do motor. Assim, pode-se inclusive atrasar o avanço de ignição, com isto, menor será o trabalho negativo necessário para comprimir a mistura já em combustão antes do Ponto Morto Superior, e, maior será a eficiência do ciclo. A velocidade de propagação da chama é fortemente influenciada pela relação de compressão, condição de mistura, turbulência e avanço de ignição. Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a influência destes parâmetros de operação na velocidade de propagação da chama em um motor CFR (Cooperative Fuel Research). Para tanto são apresentados resultados experimentais de medidas de ângulo entre o momento de ignição do combustível e a detecção da chama na extremidade oposta da câmara de combustão por um sensor de ionização em um motor CFR. Também é mapeado o trabalho no diagrama pressão versus volume, que permite a avaliação do trabalho líquido produzido por ciclo e disponibiliza o valor do pico de pressão, o ângulo em que este ocorre, a pressão média efetiva e a curva de fração mássica queimada para cada condição ensaiada. Apresenta-se as análises da variação do ângulo de combustão tanto do MTBE quanto do isooctano em 5 diferentes avanços de ignição. Para o ensaio com etanol hidratado são apresentadas as análises realizadas com 6 relações de compressão, 5 avanços de ignição e 5 relações ar-combustível, onde todos os valores destes parâmetros em estudo abrangem faixas típicas de operação de motores comerciais. Os resultados indicam um menor ângulo de combustão para relações de compressão elevadas, condição de mistura ligeiramente rica e elevados avanços de ignição. / The flame speed propagation in Otto cycles engine is a conclusive fuel feature, whose knowledge has a fundamental importance for a better accuracy of the pair engine/fuel. The higher flame speed propagation enables a greater cylinder filling, which can also increase power with improvements in engine speed, as a result holding back the ignition advance. Thus, it will be necessary a lower negative work to compress the mixture already in combustion before the top dead center, then resulting a greater efficiency cycle. The flame speed propagation is highly influenced by the compression ratio, mixture condition and ignition advance. This thesis proposes to investigate the influence of these operational parameters over the flame speed propagation in a CFR engine [Cooperative Fuel Research]. In this way, the angle measurements are performed between the fuel ignition timing and the flame detection over the opposite edge of combustion chamber by a ionization sensor in a CFR engine, as well as the diagram work pressure versus volume, which allows the net work evaluation produced by cycles and available the high pressure value, the angle with this occurs, the mean effective pressure and the curve of mass fraction burned for each tease condition. It introduces the analysis of combustion duration variation as much MTBE as the isooctane in 5 distinct ignition advance for the hydratated ethanol testing are introduced analysis accomplished with 6 compression ratio, 5 ignition advances and 5 air/fuel ratio, whose parameters values studies incorporates typical operational ratios of commercial engines. The results indicated a low angular combustion duration for the higher compression ratio, slightly rich mixture condition and elevated ignition advance.