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Mechanistic studies on the combustion of isotopically labelled cyclohexanes within a single cylinder internal combustion engine

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 23:29 authored by P J Bennett, D Gregory, R A Jackson
Hydrocarbon emissions from a single cylinder Ricardo Hydra research engine have been analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for two isotopically labelled cyclohexane fuels: (1) an equimolar mixture of cyclohexane and cyclohexane-d1-2, and (2) cyclohexane-l,l,3,3-d4. Isotopic distributions of cyclohexane, cyclohexene, benzene, 1,3-butadiene and propylene within the exhaust gases have been used to investigate possible mechanistic pathways in the formation of these emission species. Results from the first fuel show that the exhaust cyclohexane consists entirely of unburnt fuel with a [C6D1, 2]/[C6H12] ratio of 1.4, which indicates the presence of a kinetic isotope effect in the consumption of cyclohexane. The isotopic distributions within the other species are indicative of intramolecular decomposition pathways from the cyclohexyl radical. The exhaust benzene appears to be formed by successive dehydrogenations from cyclohexyl rather than by build up from smaller molecular weight species, 1,3-Butadiene is formed by ß-scission of hexenyl species, whilst propylene is formed through an intramolecular rearrangement, probably involving a methylcyclopentyl intermediate. The second fuel shows that intramolecular hydrogen migration in the cyclohexyl radical is of minimal significance prior to its decomposition to cyclohexene. The isotopic distribution within the observed benzene, however, indicates partial scrambling prior to formation. A preliminary experiment using toluene-d8 fuel indicates that the conditioning fuel or its breakdown products may play a role in the formation of exhaust hydrocarbons, particularly in samples taken shortly after the fuel changeover, but that the lubricating oil plays no significant role in the formation of these products.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Combustion Science and Technology

ISSN

0010-2202

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Volume

115

Page range

83-103

ISBN

0010-2202

Department affiliated with

  • Chemistry Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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