Peroxy-fuels: Burning Behavior and Potential Applications in Combustion Engines

Abstract

In present chapter, the potential usage of peroxy-fuels (usually known as organic peroxides) either in technically pure or in a blended form in engine combustion processes are explored. Although as additives (in small quantities <5% to conventional fuels, e.g., diesel, gasoline) peroxy-fuels are well known for many years their commercial applications as a main or primary fuel are not investigated in detail as such except a few. Their thermal instability and energy density demand great care during processing, which restricts their commercial exploitation. However, once the issues with safety are resolved they can be much more advantageously employed than conventional fuels. Some of these advantages are significant amount of fuel saving, reduction in amount of inducted air, or even the complete absence of air, i.e., anaerobic combustion, smaller volume of combustion (chamber), oxygenated fuel quality, and low emissions. An idea to develop the components of an engine operating solely on peroxy-fuels is also introduced. The engine concept is based on single and multiple injectors in a cylinder with special material coating to ensure a temperature-controlled processing.