Experimental Study on the Combustion Performance of Carbon-Based Nano-Fuel Droplets

Carbon-based nanofuels were synthesized through a meticulous two-step procedure employing n-tetradecane as the foundational fuel and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as the surfactant. A distinct droplet ignition apparatus was fabricated to visually observe the nanofuel droplets. Subsequently, a comprehensive investigation was conducted to scrutinize the influence of particle type, mass concentration, and particle size on the combustion performance of these nanofuels. The analysis encompassed pertinent parameters such as average combustion rate, ignition delay, dimensionless diameter-squared characteristic curve, and combustion duration. The outcomes unequivocally verified that both n-tetradecane and nanofuel droplets adhered to the prescribed D2-law, manifesting in two distinctive stages: ignition delay and steady-state combustion. The incorporation of nanoparticles contributed to a noteworthy enhancement in the combustion performance of the fuel droplets. Specifically, augmenting the mass concentration or reducing the particle size exhibited a conducive effect on fuel combustion. Graphene oxide nanoparticles were particularly distinguished by their outstanding physicochemical properties, which optimally maximized fuel performance. As borne out by this investigation, the most suitable fuel additives were graphene oxide nanoparticles with a particle size of 20 nm.