(112i) Atomization, Ignition, and Sustained Catalytic Combustion of Liquid Fuels

The United States Army is currently exploring sources of portable power that are alternatives to batteries. An option that is currently being developed involves the catalytic combustion of liquid fuels and integration with thermoelectric devices to produce electricity. A specific goal of the Army is to develop the use of JP-8, the standard military diesel fuel, in these portable devices. For this study, a new liquid fuel atomization system with a catalytic combustion reactor was constructed. This setup involved the mixing of liquid fuel and air in a nozzle and the subsequent spraying of the mixture on a Platinum-Alumina-coated monolith. The liquid flow rate was accurately controlled by a syringe pump and the air flow rate was accurately set with a mass flow controller. Ignition and sustained catalytic combustion were observed for all liquid fuels tested, including methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, n-decane, and, most significantly, JP-8. Methanol was shown to be an effective reducing agent between experiments. Reactions taking place in a stainless steel reactor were successfully integrated with thermoelectric devices, producing approximately 0.10 W of power. The method developed in this laboratory provided preliminary proof that JP-8 undergoes self-sustained catalytic combustion when ignited in a pre-heated reactor.