Combustion of ethanol by hydrothermal oxidation

Thermal energy production by hydrothermal oxidation of ethanol in sub-critical water is experimentally studied as a fundamental research to develop a new concept of combustion system. Experiments proves that the moderate exothermic combustion occurs by hydrothermal oxidation of ethanol in sub-critical water and its conversion depends on the preheating temperature and the concentration of oxidizer. For lower concentration of oxidizer, the hydrothermal decomposition reaction of ethanol is dominant and methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen are produced. For higher concentration of oxidizer, the hydrothermal oxidation reaction of ethanol is dominant and carbon dioxide is produced as well as thermal energy up to 576 kJ/kg. The reaction kinetics of the hydrothermal oxidation of ethanol in sub-critical water is also obtained. (c) 2006 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.