Autoignition of pentane isomers in a spark-ignition engine

Abstract

The autoignition of three pentane isomers (n- neo- and iso-pentane) in a Cooperative Fuel Research (CFR) engine operating at standard ASTM knocking conditions was examined by measuring first the Research Octane Numbers (RON) of these three fuels and compared to historical data. Autoignition of pentane/air mixtures in the CFR engine were then simulated using a two-zone model with detailed chemical kinetics with calibrated initial and boundary conditions. Detailed kinetic mechanisms for these fuels were tested with a published NO sub-mechanism incorporated into them. Simulations using both of these mechanisms showed autoignition in the engine for all three pentanes and that residual NO promote..