Stabilized microparticle aggregates of oxygen-containing nanoparticles in kerosene for enhanced droplet combustion

Metallizing and gelling hydrocarbons has received attention since the 1960s, but slurry fuels utilizing micron particles suffer from long particle burning times and problematic agglomeration. This study investigates single droplet combustion of kerosene with oxygen-containing nanoparticle additives, assembled by electrospray into nitrocellulose (NC)-bound composite “mesoparticle” (MP) structures (on the order of 5 µm). We find significantly improved dispersion properties of these materials compared to unassembled nanoparticles. Droplet combustion is characterized with a free-falling droplet experiment utilizing high speed videography. The MP pre-assembly strategy demonstrated previously by this group to improve burning rate effects and suspension stability of nanoaluminum is extended to oxygen-containing nanoparticles of CuO, KIO4, MgO, and Al2O3 added to kerosene as NC-bound MPs. Burning rate enhancements of up to 40% are seen for CuO and KIO4 MPs. Direct observation of droplet combustion disruptions is used to propose active mechanisms for each additive.