Experimental and modeling study of burning velocities for alkyl aromatic components relevant to diesel fuels

Based on the strong correlation between experiments and calculations, different aspects contributing to the burning speed of the fuels (thermal effects, kinetics, …) were analyzed using the model. A sensitivity analysis was used to determine the reaction rate constants that are most important in determining the flame speed. Reaction path analysis and species profiles in the flame were used to identify the key reaction paths that lead to increase or decrease in the burning velocities. Contrary to what is generally observed for alkanes whose flame speed is controlled by small radical fragments, the flame speed of aromatics is influenced by fuel specific intermediates such as phenyl, benzyl, or even heavier species. The new experimental data and modeling insight generated by this work will support the development of models for heavier alkyl-aromatics of great relevance to diesel fuel.