Nano-sized copper oxide enhancing the combustion of aluminum/kerosene-based nanofluid fuel droplets

The use of nano-sized copper oxide (nCuO) in Al-based nanofluid fuels was presented as a way to improve the combustion of traditional aluminum (Al)-based nanofluid fuels. The effects of nCuO on the ignition delay time, ignition temperature , droplet behavior, burning rate, and combustion intensity of Al/kerosene-based nanofluid fuel droplets were investigated. The results reveal that adding 2 wt% nCuO to the 2 wt% Al/kerosene-based nanofluid fuel has little effect on the ignition delay time and ignition temperature at 700, 750, and 800 °C. However, the droplet diameter changes dramatically with time at 750 and 800 °C. The burning rate is enhanced by up to 21.7%, and the combustion intensity and the oxidation efficiency of Al nanoparticles (NPs) are also improved significantly. This study provides an effective approach to improve the combustion performance of Al/kerosene-based nanofluid fuels.