Ignition and combustion characteristics of jet fuel liquid film containing graphene powders at meso-scale

•Jet fuel suspensions containing graphene powders were prepared.•Graphene was trapped and ignited by optical tweezers prior to jet fuel.•Ignition and combustion characteristics of jet fuel liquid film were identified.•A schematic physical model was proposed to understand the combustion mechanism.

At meso-scale, ignition and combustion characteristics of jet fuel liquid film containing graphene powders were investigated. Jet fuel/graphene suspensions were prepared, and sprayed to produce the liquid film. Liquid film was ignited by optical tweezers, five distinctive stages including graphene trap, ignition and combustion of graphene, bubble formation, jet fuel vaporization and bubble growth, bubble rupture and combustion of liquid film were identified. Ignition of graphene is prior to jet fuel. The combustion heat of graphene serves a heat source to accelerate the vaporization of jet fuel. The graphene serves as a nucleation point to form a bubble. Expansion of both combustion products and jet fuel vapor result in the bubble growth. The thickness of bubble boundary layer depends on graphene concentration. As the bubble escaped, liquid film ruptured and micro-explosion occurred. Jet fuel was then ignited, and combusted sustainably till burnt out. During combustion, the flame front fluctuated slightly, indicating good flame stability. Finally, a schematic physical model was presented to analyze the inductive mechanism of graphene for ignition and combustion of jet fuel liquid film by optical tweezers.

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