Bifurcation analysis of the effect of hydrogen addition on the dynamic behavior of lean premixed pre-vaporized ethanol combustion

In this work, a mathematical model of fuel conversion and energy balance has been developed to study the dynamic behavior of a lean premixed pre-vaporized combustor fed with ethanol/air and ethanol–hydrogen/air mixtures. The combustor was modeled as a well stirred reactor (WSR). Results show that, for a simplified model reaction, Hopf bifurcations occur. Spontaneous oscillations have been found, suggesting that the combustion reaction plays an important role in the development of dynamic regimes. Hydrogen addition stabilizes ethanol combustion, damping the oscillations.

► Bifurcation analysis of lean premixed pre-vaporized ethanol combustion is performed.
► The effect of hydrogen addition on dynamic features is explored.
► Hydrogen stabilizes ethanol combustion, damping thermo-kinetic oscillations.