Ignition delay times of methane/diethyl ether (DEE) blends measured in a rapid compression machine (RCM)

• Published in: Journal of loss prevention in the process industries 2021-07, Vol.71, p.104430, Article 104430
• Main Authors: Drost, Simon, Werler, Marc, Schießl, Robert, Maas, Ulrich
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: DEE; Diethyl ether; Ignition delay times; Methane; Rapid compression machine
• ISSN: 0950-4230
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jlp.2021.104430

Diethyl ether (DEE) is an interesting species for combustion for at least two reasons: On the one hand, it is used as a kind of ”worst case” reference substance for studies concerned with the prevention of accidental ignition events. On the other hand, it is also a candidate bio-fuel. For this reason, in this work, auto-ignition of two different ▪ /DEE-mixtures (90/10 and 95/5 mol-% ▪ /DEE) are studied in a rapid compression machine (RCM). In the RCM, the gas mixture is compressed in a piston–cylinder device up to 20bar and held under isochoric conditions at top dead center. Auto-ignition occurs after an ignition delay time (IDT). IDTs are measured for compression temperatures ranging between 515 and 925K, for both, stoichiometric and fuel-rich mixtures (equivalence ratio ϕ=2). The experimental data are compared to results of simulations involving detailed chemistry, as well as to other fuels investigated in the same RCM (results from literature). •RCM ignition delay times of 95/5 and 90/10 CH4/DME (515–925 K, 10–20 bar).•The models from Eble (2017) and Sakai (2017) mostly predict IDT well.•At low temperatures, 90/10 CH4/DEE has comparable IDTs to other bio diesel fuels.•Reaction ▪ is important under the conditions investigated.•IDT results of the model can be improved by updating the parameters of this reaction.