Ignition characteristics of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran: An experimental and kinetic study

The oxidation behavior of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF) a novel second-generation biofuel was investigated. Specifically ignition delay time measurements in two different combustion reactors e.g. rapid compression machine and high-pressure shock tube were performed. Measurements for 2-MTHF/oxidizer/diluent mixtures were performed at 639 K - 1413 K at 10 20 and 40 bar and at three different equivalence ratios of 0.5 1.0 and 2.0. A detailed chemical kinetic model describing both low-and high-temperature chemistry of 2-MTHF was developed and validated against new ignition delay measurements and already existing flame species profiles and ignition delay measurements. The mechanism provides satisfactory agreement with the experimental data. Reaction path and sensitivity analyses were carried out to identify key reactions at various combustion conditions and to attain a better understanding of the combustion behavior.