An experimental investigation of structural effects on the auto-ignition properties of two C5 esters

Ignition studies of two C5 esters were performed using a rapid compression facility. Methyl butanoate and ethyl propanoate were chosen to have matching molecular weights and C:H:O ratios while varying the length of the constituent alkyl chains. The effect of functional group size on ignition delay time was investigated using pressure time-histories and high-speed digital imaging. Low-temperature, moderate-pressure conditions were selected for study due to the relevance to low temperature combustion strategies and internal combustion engine conditions. The experiments covered a range of conditions: T = 935-1117 K, P = 4.7-19.6 atm, and ϕ = 0.3-0.4. The experimental data are compared to previous high temperature studies and chemical modeling. A new mechanism for methyl butanoate and ethyl propanoate ignition is presented. The modeling and experimental data are in excellent agreement for methyl butanaote and yield good agreement for ethyl propanoate.