Work

Research on Minimum Ignition Energy Testing of Normal-Alkane Vapors

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE) is a critical parameter for assessing the combustion and explosion risks of liquid fuels under specific conditions. However, systematic testing methods for long-chain alkanes remain underdeveloped. In this study, an experimental apparatus was developed based on American Society for Testing and Materials Standard ASTM E582-21 to measure the MIE of liquid fuel vapors. Through systematic measurements of the minimum ignition energy (MIE) of alkane vapors, this study examines the influence of vapor concentration on MIE and elucidates the dependence of ignition energy on carbon chain length. System sensitivity parameters were calibrated using propane/air mixtures, establishing optimal testing conditions as a 2.0 mm electrode gap and a 14.0 pF capacitance. The measured minimum ignition energy (MIE) values for C5–C8 alkane vapors at their respective sensitive volume fractions were 0.197 mJ (at 3.4 vol%), 0.253 mJ (at 3.3 vol%), 0.303 mJ (at 3.0 vol%), and 0.323 mJ (at 2.8 vol%). The experimentally determined MIE values for C5–C8 alkane vapors demonstrate close agreement with literature data, confirming the reliability of the experimental system and methodology for MIE determination of liquid fuel vapors. Furthermore, the study reveals a characteristic V-shaped correlation between MIE and vapor concentration, along with a consistent shift in the sensitive concentration toward fuel-rich conditions relative to stoichiometric proportions. Extended measurements of C9–C11 alkanes revealed MIE values of 0.523 mJ (at 2.8 vol%) for n-nonane, 0.857 mJ (at 2.5 vol%) for n-decane, and 1.127 mJ (at 2.0 vol%) for n-undecane. Notably, the results demonstrate a substantial increase in MIE with carbon chain length, showing a 471% rise from C5 to C11. A nonlinear regression analysis confirmed a strong correlation between MIE and carbon chain length (R2 = 0.98).

Source: Fire

DOI: 10.3390/fire8120451

Authors: Caizhi Xiong, Xuhong Jia, Wan Ki Chow, Wenbing Li

Institution: Civil Aviation Flight University of China

Language: English

Topic: Combustion and Detonation Processes

Subfield: Aerospace Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896