A study on the ignition and combustion properties of kerosene-based nanofluid fuels containing n-Al/graphene

Nanofluid fuels, which can significantly enhance energy density and combustion efficiency, are still challenging to optimize due to the limited energy release and high agglomeration tendency of typical nano aluminum additives. Graphene content in n-Al/Graphene/kerosene nanofluid fuels with aluminum was examined in this study. The DSC data showed that the exothermic capacity of the sample of n-Al/graphene (5 %) was 5024 J/g, which was 24.36 % higher than that of pure n-Al powder. Moreover, the laser ignition experiment showed graphene enhanced the combustion of n-Al. The agglomerate combustion of the n-Al/graphene/kerosene droplets is more efficient. The shortest ignition time (0.131 s) and the highest combustion rate (0.3945 mm² s⁻¹) were achieved for the fuels with graphene content of 5 %. The morphology of the combustion products is significantly affected by the graphene content. A graphene content of 5 % results in finer combustion residues, suggesting a higher combustion efficiency. Finally, based on the synergistic promotion of n-Al/graphene on the ignition and combustion characteristics of kerosene nanofluid fuels, the modulation mechanism was proposed from four perspectives: enhanced thermal conductivity, improved thermal radiation absorption, the oxidation reaction of graphene, and the catalytic effect on n-Al combustion.