Experimental Study on Mixed Combustion Characteristics of Methanol/Diesel Pool Fires in Engine Rooms of Hybrid Ships

Methanol/diesel hybrid−powered vessels represent a significant advancement in green and low−carbon innovation in the maritime transportation sector and have been widely adopted across various shipping markets. However, the dual−fuel power system modifies the fire load within the engine room compared...

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Main Authors: Jiaqi Dong, Zhongzheng Wu, Jinqi Han, Jianghao Li, Jiacheng Liu, Yunfeng Yan, Liang Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/8/1991
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author Jiaqi Dong
Zhongzheng Wu
Jinqi Han
Jianghao Li
Jiacheng Liu
Yunfeng Yan
Liang Wang
author_facet Jiaqi Dong
Zhongzheng Wu
Jinqi Han
Jianghao Li
Jiacheng Liu
Yunfeng Yan
Liang Wang
author_sort Jiaqi Dong
collection DOAJ
description Methanol/diesel hybrid−powered vessels represent a significant advancement in green and low−carbon innovation in the maritime transportation sector and have been widely adopted across various shipping markets. However, the dual−fuel power system modifies the fire load within the engine room compared to traditional vessels, thereby significantly influencing the fire safety of methanol/diesel−powered ships. In this study, anhydrous methanol and light−duty diesel (with 0 °C pour point) were used as fuels to investigate the mixed combustion characteristics of these immiscible fuels in circular pools with diameters of 6, 10, 14, and 20 cm at various mixing ratios. By analyzing the fuel mass loss rate, flame morphology, and heat transfer characteristics, it was determined that methanol and diesel exhibited distinct stratification during combustion, with the process comprising three phases: pure methanol combustion phase, transitional combustion phase, and pure diesel combustion phase. Slopover occurred during the transitional combustion phase, and its intensity decreased as the pool diameter or methanol fuel quantity increased. Based on this conclusion, a quantitative relationship was established between slopover intensity, pool diameter, and the methanol/diesel volume ratio. Additionally, during the transitional combustion phase, the average flame height exhibited an exponential coupling relationship with the pool diameter and the methanol/diesel volume ratio. Therefore, a modification was made to the classical flame height model to account for these effects. Moreover, a prediction model for the burning rate of methanol/diesel pool fires was established based on transient temperature variations within the fuel layer. This model incorporated a correction factor related to pool diameter and fuel mixture ratio. Additionally, the causes of slopover were analyzed from the perspectives of heat transfer and fire dynamics, further refining the physical interpretation of the correction factor.
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spelling doaj-art-2d62b10930a843d89c2be867203c367c2025-08-20T03:13:58ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-04-01188199110.3390/en18081991Experimental Study on Mixed Combustion Characteristics of Methanol/Diesel Pool Fires in Engine Rooms of Hybrid ShipsJiaqi Dong0Zhongzheng Wu1Jinqi Han2Jianghao Li3Jiacheng Liu4Yunfeng Yan5Liang Wang6School of Energy and Power Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212000, ChinaMarine Design and Research Institute of China, Shanghai 200011, ChinaSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212000, ChinaSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212000, ChinaSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212000, ChinaSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212000, ChinaSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212000, ChinaMethanol/diesel hybrid−powered vessels represent a significant advancement in green and low−carbon innovation in the maritime transportation sector and have been widely adopted across various shipping markets. However, the dual−fuel power system modifies the fire load within the engine room compared to traditional vessels, thereby significantly influencing the fire safety of methanol/diesel−powered ships. In this study, anhydrous methanol and light−duty diesel (with 0 °C pour point) were used as fuels to investigate the mixed combustion characteristics of these immiscible fuels in circular pools with diameters of 6, 10, 14, and 20 cm at various mixing ratios. By analyzing the fuel mass loss rate, flame morphology, and heat transfer characteristics, it was determined that methanol and diesel exhibited distinct stratification during combustion, with the process comprising three phases: pure methanol combustion phase, transitional combustion phase, and pure diesel combustion phase. Slopover occurred during the transitional combustion phase, and its intensity decreased as the pool diameter or methanol fuel quantity increased. Based on this conclusion, a quantitative relationship was established between slopover intensity, pool diameter, and the methanol/diesel volume ratio. Additionally, during the transitional combustion phase, the average flame height exhibited an exponential coupling relationship with the pool diameter and the methanol/diesel volume ratio. Therefore, a modification was made to the classical flame height model to account for these effects. Moreover, a prediction model for the burning rate of methanol/diesel pool fires was established based on transient temperature variations within the fuel layer. This model incorporated a correction factor related to pool diameter and fuel mixture ratio. Additionally, the causes of slopover were analyzed from the perspectives of heat transfer and fire dynamics, further refining the physical interpretation of the correction factor.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/8/1991engine room of hybrid shipsmethanol/diesel pool firesmixed combustionburning rateheat transfer
spellingShingle Jiaqi Dong
Zhongzheng Wu
Jinqi Han
Jianghao Li
Jiacheng Liu
Yunfeng Yan
Liang Wang
Experimental Study on Mixed Combustion Characteristics of Methanol/Diesel Pool Fires in Engine Rooms of Hybrid Ships
Energies
engine room of hybrid ships
methanol/diesel pool fires
mixed combustion
burning rate
heat transfer
title Experimental Study on Mixed Combustion Characteristics of Methanol/Diesel Pool Fires in Engine Rooms of Hybrid Ships
title_full Experimental Study on Mixed Combustion Characteristics of Methanol/Diesel Pool Fires in Engine Rooms of Hybrid Ships
title_fullStr Experimental Study on Mixed Combustion Characteristics of Methanol/Diesel Pool Fires in Engine Rooms of Hybrid Ships
title_full_unstemmed Experimental Study on Mixed Combustion Characteristics of Methanol/Diesel Pool Fires in Engine Rooms of Hybrid Ships
title_short Experimental Study on Mixed Combustion Characteristics of Methanol/Diesel Pool Fires in Engine Rooms of Hybrid Ships
title_sort experimental study on mixed combustion characteristics of methanol diesel pool fires in engine rooms of hybrid ships
topic engine room of hybrid ships
methanol/diesel pool fires
mixed combustion
burning rate
heat transfer
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/8/1991
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