ABSTRACT
Analysis of the results of the simulation for the production of gaseous fuel by gasification of kerosene was made. Also treated, were the possible methods of actualizing this principle. Simulation results showed that at ambient conditions, kerosene (DPK) can not support a flammable vapor and a liquid booster in form of petrol (PMS) was employed to increase the total combustibles. Flammability range of the mixture at different bottled pressure using air as filler were determined. It was observed that a minimum of 3.5 mol% PMS in the DPK-PMS liquid mixture is required to form a
combustible gas, herein called the Vaporised Liquid Fuel (VLF) gas.
At 5 bar, the domestic supply pressure of LPG, a liquid mix of 70 mol% DPK produced a VLF gas of calorific value 3.7
MJ/m3. This, however, improved to 12.7 MJ/m3 upon the
reduction of operating pressure to 1.5 bar. Wobbe index
evaluated for both cases fall short of that for LPG. Hence,
the modification of LPG burners is necessary to help it burn
the VLF.
Of the two actualization methods suggested -batch and
continuous-, the former method produced VLF gas of constant
calorific value arising from its uniform composition.
However, a 12.5kg bottle of VLF gas was evaluated to contain one-sixth, as much energy as for LPG. On the other hand,
the latter method can be domesticated though, with relatively
increased risk. Also, periodic topping of PMS is required to
produce VLF gas of fairly constant calorific value.
Typical laboratory burner produced a stable VLF gas flame,
and combustion was essentially complete as shown by its deep
blue colouration. Thus, the gasification of kerosene favours
healthier environment.