The role of the methyl ester moiety in biodiesel combustion: A kinetic modeling comparison of methyl butanoate and n-butane

► We compare the combustion chemistry of n-butane and the alkyl ester methyl butanoate. ► Oxidation pathways associated with the methyl ester moiety suppress NTC behavior. ► Fuel-bound oxygen results in early formation of oxygenated species. ► The methyl ester moiety also leads to reduction in soot precursor production.