Effect of Fuel on Combustion Characteristics of Micro-Combustor with Porous Catalyst Layer

We have developed a microcombustor which has a porous catalyst layer and investigated the flammability map and combustion characteristics for methane, n-butane and DME. For methane fuel, the flammable area in the lean condition is narrow. On the other hand, for n-butane and DME, the flammable area in the lean condition is wide. This difference is caused by the difference in activation temperature of oxidation. Activation temperature of n-butane and DME is relatively low compared with that of methane, which leads to the fact that the combustion efficiency for n-butane and DME is lower than that of methane. In addition, higher air-fuel ratio at the stoichiometric condition for n-butane and presence of intermolecular oxygen for DME enhance the reaction in the lean condition. These different characteristics of the fuel affect the lower LHV limits, ignition temperatures and combustion efficiencies.