Nanosizing and Al-Mg alloying effects of boron particles on combustion characteristics and energy release of B/JP-10 suspension fuel

Abstract

Adding boron particles into JP-10 to prepare B/JP-10 suspension fuel can effectively improve the energy density and combustion heat of JP-10-based aviation fuel. However, the energy release of boron in B/JP-10 fuel has many challenges to overcome. In this study, micron-sized boron (Micro-B), nano-sized boron (Nano-B) and aluminum-magnesium-boron (AlMgB) alloy particles were added into JP-10 fuel to prepare suspension fuels. The effects of boron particle nanosizing and alloying on the combustion characteristics and energy release of B/JP-10 fuel are experimentally evaluated. These characteristics were achieved by investigating the combustion stage, flame structure, emission spectra, droplet evolution, micro-explosion, flame temperature, and morphology of residues. The results show that compared with Micro-B/JP-10, Nano-B/JP-10 droplets show better micro-explosion characteristics, shorter burning time, and better boron-oxygen reaction rate during the combustion process. The results of combustion flame temperature and emission spectrum show that Nano-B/JP-10 droplets burn better, which shows that nano-boron particles have better energy release characteristics. AlMgB/JP-10 droplets reduce the reaction temperature of boron and enhance the combustion of boron through the interphase interaction of Al and Mg into B. Compared with Micro-B/JP-10, it shows a higher combustion flame temperature and emission spectrum intensity, the boron-oxygen reaction rate is greatly improved, and react to form flaky crystals on the agglomerate surface, making it difficult for the shell to close, resulting in weak micro-explosion but effective energy release.