Exploring the Flame Chemistry of C₅ Tetrahydrofuranic Biofuels: Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol and 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran

Recently, the combustion chemistry of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (THFA), a potential biofuel, was investigated in stoichiometric 20 mol % THFA/methane co-fueled premixed flame at 5.3 kPa by our group (Tran, L.-S.; Carstensen, H.-H.; Foo, K. K.; Lamoureux, N.; Gosselin, S.; Gasnot, L.; El-Bakali, A.; Desgroux, P. Experimental and modeling study high-temperature alcohol. Proc. Combust. Inst. 2021, 38, 631−640, 10.1016/j.proci.2020.07.057). With regard to this, we continue further explore this biofuel understand influence THFA-doping amounts on its mixture with methane impact function THFA product spectrum compared non-alcoholic fuel counterpart, i.e., 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MTHF). To accomplish above said objective, flame, 10% 20% MTHF/methane were additionally analyzed similar conditions using gas chromatography for quantitative species detection NO laser-induced fluorescence thermometry. More than 40 (reactants, CO, CO2, H2O, H2, about 14 hydrocarbons as well 26 oxygenated intermediates up 5 carbon atoms) quantified each doped flame. The distributions consumption pathways are 10 THFA-doped flames. maximum yields most products increase linearly amount THFA. However, some do not follow trend, indicating interaction between THFA, which is found be mainly caused reaction methyl radical. difference chemical structure MTHF has no notable mole fractions but significant differences exist intermediate species. produces more aldehydes, alcohols, ethers forms clearly less ketones hydrocarbons. A slightly upgraded version previous kinetic model reproduces experimental data able explain observed production.