Study of ignition and combustion characteristics of kerosene-based nanofluid fuel containing n-Al/CuO thermite

The ignition and combustion properties of n-Al/CuO/kerosene nanofluid fuels are examined, with a focus on the formulation effects of the n-Al/CuO nano-thermite. The DSC data shows the addition of CuO facilitates the exothermic process of n-Al particles, which then promote the n-Al/CuO/kerosene droplets to evaporate. There are two exothermic peaks on the DSC curve of n-Al/CuO (5 %) at 249.3 ℃ and 463.8 ℃, respectively. The burning of n-Al/CuO/kerosene droplets consists of four stages: ignition, d²-law combustion, vapor flame extinguishment, and agglomerate burning. During the agglomerate burning stage, n-Al/CuO (5 %)/kerosene shows the minimum ignition delay at 0.057 s and the highest emission spectral intensity. Droplet combustion conforms well to the d²-law, and the maximum combustion rate is found for n-Al/CuO (20 %)/kerosene, at 1.287 mm² s⁻¹. The particle size of combustion residues is uniform, and the overall appearance smoothens as the CuO content increases. A new nanofluid fuel with better ignition and combustion properties than traditional nanofluid fuels is proposed.