A novel ignition system was studied experimentally, in which small volumes of hydrogen peroxide – of the order of µL/s – were injected at the site of ignition, during the firing of a focus discharge igniter. Experiments were made at an atmospheric testing facility using an industrial Rolls-Royce olympus combustion chamber with kerosene Jet A1 as the fuel and atmospheric air as the oxidizer. The study concentrated on the determination of the lean ignition limits of the Jet A1–air mixture at various air mass flowrates with and without the addition of H2O2. Notable improvements, from 6.5 per cent to 44 per cent, in the ignition limits of the kerosene–air mixture were attainable using only a small amount of H2O2 during the ignition process. The study suggests that these improvements are directly related to the increase in the ignition efficiency of the igniter.
Since the important work by Eisner showing the nature of the bombardier beetle pulse ejection system, a considerable number of biomimetic advantages have been gained by mimicking the unique spray system based on the unique coordinated inlet and outlet valve system that the beetle has. This paper discusses the equally remarkable production by the bombardier beetle of hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide, followed by the catalytic combustion of these reactants and subsequent heating of the water diluent and the emergence of the hot caustic spray through a nozzle that can be turned in any direction.This paper considers the possible chemical mechanisms for the production of hydrogen peroxide within the narrow tube. The current production of peroxide is usually by a batch chemical autoxidation process involving a number of stages of which the two main ones are firstly a hydrogenation reaction of anthroquinone over Ni or Pd catalysts producing anthroquinol, then secondly followed by an oxidiser reaction where the anthroquinol is turned back to anthroquinone and hydrogen peroxide. This method involves considerable energy expended in heating and cooling at each stage and condensing out the peroxide from the water -H 2 O 2 mixture at the end of the process. The bombardier beetle is able to produce the peroxide at room temperature with little energy loss in the system. Although there are some similarities to the current industrial method, the benefits of mimicking the beetle system are obviously very beneficial in terms of the greatly increased efficiency of peroxide production.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.