Alternative Hydrocarbon Fuels: Combustion and Chemical Kinetics

The current generation of internal combustion engines is the result of an extended period of simultaneous evolution of engines and fuels. During this period, the engine designer was relatively free to specify fuel properties to meet engine performance requirements, and the petroleum industry responded by producing fuels with the desired specifications. However, today's rising cost of petroleum, coupled with the realization that petroleum supplies will not be able to meet the long-term demand, has stimulated an interest in alternative liquid fuels, particularly those that can be derived from coal. A wide variety of liquid fuels can be produced from coal, and from other hydrocarbon and carbohydrate sources as well, ranging from methanol to high molecular weight, low volatility oils. This volume is based on a set of original papers delivered at a special workshop called by the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense for the purpose of discussing the problems of switching to fuels producible from such nonpetroleum sources for use in automotive engines, aircraft gas turbines, and stationary power plants. The authors were asked also to indicate how research in the areas of combustion, fuel chemistry, and chemical kinetics can be directed toward achieving a timely transition to such fuels, should it become necessary. Research scientists in those fields, as well as development engineers concerned with engines and power plants, will find this volume a useful up-to date analysis of the changing fuels picture.