Ignition and combustion of tailor-made fuels from biomass

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Novel tailor-made fuels from biomass can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in transportation. The successful development of these biofuels relies on experimental methods to investigate their combustion chemistry. Reliable data on fundamental combustion properties are essential for validating kinetic models, forming the foundation for complex combustion simulations. This thesis is divided into three parts, employing four different experimental approaches to explore the combustion chemistry of these fuels. The first part introduces a newly developed laminar flow reactor capable of measuring ignition delay times of up to one second, alongside mole fractions of intermediate species involved in the ignition process. The second part presents a low-pressure premixed flat flame study of the novel lignocellulosic biofuel gamma-valerolactone, marking its first oxidation study. The third part addresses how to rapidly classify the ignition properties of various fuels with minimal fuel demand. Two experimental approaches—one global and one fundamental—are utilized to understand the impact of side chains and ring structures on the ignition of entire fuel classes, specifically examining alkyl furans and alkyl tetrahydrofurans.