LAUSR

Abstract This study aims to disclose the role of molecular interactions of iso-octane ethanol blend during droplet combustion. The iso-octane ethanol composition which has the potential to form molecular clusters was analyzed using integer interaction modeling with mole ratio. Comparison of mole-based compositions was converted to a volume base to verify empirically using the single droplet burning method. The molecular interaction analysis gave the composition close to the molecular cluster composition was 10, 15, 25, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90% v/v. Ethanol fractions of 20% and 30% v/v were also tested using the same method as a mixture that do not form the molecular cluster. This study shows that the total molecular interaction forces on molecular clusters are inversely proportional to puffing events during single droplet combustion. The number of free molecules that do not form molecular clusters tends to produce micro-explosions at the final stage of single droplet combustion. The research also revealed that the increasing ethanol fractions in molecular clusters tends to reduce the combustion rate constant exponentially.