Effect of Higher-Order Hydrocarbons on Methane-Based Fuel Chemistry at Gas Turbine Pressures

A chemical kinetics mechanism designed for the oxidation of methane-hydrocarbon blends at elevated pressures was used to study the effect of higher-order hydrocarbons on ignition delay time and flame speed at gas turbine conditions. The mechanism was developed from recent data and modeling conducted by the authors, including pressures above 30 atm, temperatures as low as 700 K, and alkane additives from C₂H₆ through C₅H₁₂. Calculations focused on three target natural gas mixtures containing CH₄ mole fractions from 62.5 to 98%. The results show the effects that pressure, temperature, and hydrocarbon content have on the combustion chemistry of the fuel-air mixtures. For example, autoignition times exhibit nonlinear trends with increasing pressure and decreasing temperature. Experiments in the authors’ laboratories are ongoing, and an overview of the related facilities is provided.