Fundamental study on heavy fuel reformulation through sonochemistry and chemical-thermodynamics (1st report, sonochemistry in fuel)

In this study, we aim to convert heavy fuels or solid fuels into lighter liquid fuel with high quality and propose fuel reformulation approach through sonochemistry and fuel design approach. Fuel design approach is to design fuel properties to suit engines by mixing fuels. Concept of fuel design originates chemical thermodynamics. By this method, mixing fuel can control fuel transportation properties and phase change characteristics: evaporation and freezing characteristics. The origin of sonochemistry is acoustic cavitation: the nucleation, growth, and implosive collapse. Sonochemical effects on organic liquid are carbon bond cleavage of saturated component and polymerization of nitrogen containing component and aromatic component. In this study, chemical effects of 20 kHz high-intensity ultrasound on n-alkanes and cavitation behavior under ultrasound field are reported. N- alkanes were sonicated under Ar or N2 atmosphere and cavitation behavior was photographed and calculated by bubble dynamics model.