{"title":"Experimental and chemical kinetic analysis of laminar burning velocity of ammonia/dimethyl ether/air mixture at elevated temperature and pressure using a reduced-updated skeletal reaction model","authors":"Anand Shankar Singh , Shawnam , V. Mahendra Reddy , Sudarshan Kumar","doi":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102334","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102334","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recently, ammonia has garnered significant interest from several organizations as a potential environmentally friendly fuel, primarily due to its superior volumetric energy density and convenient storage, handling, and transportation characteristics. However, the practical application of ammonia still needs to be significantly improved due to its lower laminar burning velocity, narrow flammability limit, and higher NOx production. Ignition enhancer fuels like methane, hydrogen, and Dimethyl ether (DME) can be added to ammonia as ignition enhancers to curb its slower reaction kinetics and improve its flame propagation characteristics. In the present work, the heated diverging channel technique is used for the experimental measurement of laminar burning velocity for NH<sub>3</sub>/DME/air premixed flames for premixed temperatures and pressures of 300–700 K and 1–5 atm. Furthermore, a reduced– updated (RU) skeletal reaction model is proposed based on the available literature. The proposed RU model, along with available reaction models, are validated for the above-stated experimental measurement conditions. Also, chemical kinetic analysis is performed considering the RU model to understand the laminar burning velocity reaction kinetics using the sensitivity, flame structure, and rate of production analysis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17287,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Energy Institute","volume":"124 ","pages":"Article 102334"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145327356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yi Wang , Lina Zhang , Kongzhao Xing , Haozhong Huang , Tiejian Lin , Hui Wang , Xiaoyu Guo
{"title":"Particulate number emissions and particle micro-characteristics from natural gas engines: the role of lubricating oils","authors":"Yi Wang , Lina Zhang , Kongzhao Xing , Haozhong Huang , Tiejian Lin , Hui Wang , Xiaoyu Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102332","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102332","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reducing particulate number (PN) emissions from lubricating oils (L-oil) in natural gas engines is key to meeting the next-stage emission regulations. However, insufficient understanding remains of how the L-oils combustion affects the physicochemical properties of particles in natural gas engines. This study investigated the effects of L-oil composition and viscosity on the emission characteristics of natural gas engines through experiments. TEM-EDX was employed to analyze differences in microstructure and chemical composition between particles generated by different L-oils. The results indicated that, at 1700 r/min and 10 % load, emission performance deteriorated significantly with L-Soil30 (mineral base oil and high-sulfur additives), with PN emissions reaching 2.79 ∗ 10<sup>7</sup> N/cc. By contrast, the PN emissions of L-oil30 (synthetic base oil) with a similar viscosity grade were only 9.23 % of those of L-Soil30. As L-oil viscosity increased, the emissions of CO, HC and PN all decreased, while the proportion of accumulation mode particles increased. According to TEM-EDX results, a regular spherical ZnO particle was present in soot particles of L-Soil30, which adsorbed carbon particles to form cluster-like particle aggregates. However, the particle morphology of L-oil30 was chain-like. The L-oil50 particles were irregular in morphology, appeared as flocculent aggregates, and had a larger primary particle diameter. Additionally, EDX spectrum showed that as L-oil viscosity increased, the C content in particles increased while O content decreased. Meanwhile, particles from synthetic oils had a higher Si content. This study can provide guidance for reducing PN emissions from natural gas engines.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17287,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Energy Institute","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 102332"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145266507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xiao-Yu Zhang , Wen-Lin Li , Zhi-Hao Ma , Sheng Li , Wei-Wei Yan , Li Li , Xing-Shun Cong , Xian-Yong Wei , Zhi-Xin Li
{"title":"Optimizing crystallinity of La2O2CO3 to boost reverse water-gas shift reaction performance over Co-based supported catalysts","authors":"Xiao-Yu Zhang , Wen-Lin Li , Zhi-Hao Ma , Sheng Li , Wei-Wei Yan , Li Li , Xing-Shun Cong , Xian-Yong Wei , Zhi-Xin Li","doi":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102331","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102331","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction has become an important strategy to couple application of carbon resources and hydrogen energy. However, Co-based supported catalysts in RWGS reaction consistently experience deactivation under high-temperature operation, predominantly caused by carbon deposition and metal sintering, which present major barriers to the commercial deployment. Here, crystallinity for La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> supports were modulated to govern the metal-support interaction and CO<sub>2</sub> adsorption performance on Co-based supported catalysts, thereby optimizing RWGS reaction performance. Despite of poorly crystallized La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>-1 fostered a stronger interaction with Co species, which detrimentally compromised CO<sub>2</sub> adsorption capacity and inherent anti-coking functionality of La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> themselves. In contrast, employing well-crystallized La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>-2 as the support yielded the Co/La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>-2 catalyst, exhibiting superior CO<sub>2</sub> adsorption, exceptional resistance to carbon deposition, outstanding activity, high CO selectivity, and remarkable stability—maintaining consistent CO<sub>2</sub> conversion and selectivity for over 100 h at 600 °C. This crystallinity-driven strategy effectively balances the Co-La<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> interaction, presenting a novel way to boost RWGS reaction performance over Co-based supported catalysts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17287,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Energy Institute","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 102331"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145323685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investigation of the effect of hydrogen addition on the combustion and emissions performance of high compression ratio liquid methane gas (LMG) Engine","authors":"Kaimin Liu , Penghong Liao , Xiaopeng Feng , Jintao Zhou , Zhi Jiang , Hui Peng , Jiaji Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102319","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102319","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To investigate the effect of hydrogen addition on the combustion and emission performance of a high-compression-ratio liquid methane gas (LMG) engine under continuously varying loads, this study considered an inline 6-cylinder 4-valve single-point injection spark ignition liquefied natural gas (LNG) engine as an object to comprehensively discuss the combustion process, engine performance, and emissions characteristics under different loads and speeds at different hydrogen energy share (HES) by means of coupled experiments and simulations. The results show, with an increase in hydrogen concentration, the brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of the LMG engine showed a decreasing trend, the peak cylinder pressureincreased significantly, the maximum pressure rise rate also increased significantly, and the location of 50 % mass fraction burned (MFB) was advanced significantly. In terms of emissions, with the gradual increase in the hydrogen energy ratio, the NO<sub>X</sub> emissions show an increasing trend and HC emissions showed a decreasing trend. With the increase in HES the location of peak combustion temperature (LPCT) advanced approximately 43.08 %. However, although the addition of hydrogen significantly increased the combustion rate of the LMG, the knocking became more intense as a result, and the tendency increased sharply when the HES increased from 12 % to 20 %.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17287,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Energy Institute","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 102319"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145266425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Runtian Xia , Mingxing Liu , Naixin Wang , Ke Wang , Junqiang Li , Yanxuan Fan , Zhaolin Fu , Jie Zhao , Qundan Zhang , Wei Wang , Yanbo Hou , Zhiping Tao
{"title":"In-depth insight into cyclic methyl-siloxanes in waste tires pyrolysis oil (WTPO), high silicon content gasoline, and high silicon content diesel","authors":"Runtian Xia , Mingxing Liu , Naixin Wang , Ke Wang , Junqiang Li , Yanxuan Fan , Zhaolin Fu , Jie Zhao , Qundan Zhang , Wei Wang , Yanbo Hou , Zhiping Tao","doi":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102323","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102323","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Waste tire pyrolysis oil (WTPO) serves as a valuable feedstock for sustainable fuels and high-value-added chemicals. However, the silicon content and siloxane content of WTPO have not been observed in detail, and the similarity of siloxane morphology between WTPO and commercial gasoline and diesel has not been discussed in depth. To address this gap, our research group collected 24 WTPO samples from China, along with 3 commercial gasoline samples and 4 commercial diesel samples exhibiting abnormal silicon content, between 2023 and 2025. The silicon content and siloxane content of the samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) and gas chromatography-quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. The results indicate that the silicon content ranges of WTPO are <1 ppm to 3674 ppm. Analysis of siloxane morphology revealed that cyclic permethylsiloxanes (Dn, where n denotes the number of Si atoms) are widely present in WTPO. In the detected WTPO samples, the maximum contents of D4, D3, and D5 reach 2251 ppm, 923 ppm, and 475 ppm, respectively. Furthermore, the type and content distribution of cyclic methyl-siloxanes in high silicon content WTPO, high silicon content gasoline, and high silicon content diesel samples demonstrate a strong similarity. This study emphasizes that the potential threats posed by silicon-containing molecules in WTPO to the environment, organisms, and industrial equipment should be evaluated in advance of large-scale commercialization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17287,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Energy Institute","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 102323"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paulino José García–Nieto , Esperanza García–Gonzalo , José Pablo Paredes–Sánchez , Luis Alfonso Menéndez–García
{"title":"Interpretable machine learning models for forecasting elemental composition of solid biomass fuels from proximate analyses in energy processes","authors":"Paulino José García–Nieto , Esperanza García–Gonzalo , José Pablo Paredes–Sánchez , Luis Alfonso Menéndez–García","doi":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102322","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102322","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biomass is a renewable and sustainable source of green energy. A key factor in evaluating its energy potential is its elemental composition—primarily carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O). This information is vital for accurate material balance calculations, efficient design and operation of combustion systems, and determining oxidant requirements for combustion and gasification. It also enables prediction of gas composition from these processes. While ultimate analysis provides this elemental data (i.e., carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and sulphur (S)), it is expensive and time-consuming. In contrast, proximate analysis is simpler, offering data on moisture content (MC), volatile matter (VM), ash content (Ash), and fixed carbon (FC). Predicting elemental composition from proximate analysis requires robust models. This study develops nonlinear predictive models using two machine learning (ML) techniques: multilayer perceptron (MLP) and a hybrid approach combining the Harmonic Search Optimization Algorithm (HSOA) with Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS). Based on a dataset of 203 biomass samples, six ML models were built to estimate C, H, and O content. Results show these ML models outperform traditional linear models in accuracy and generalizability. Specifically, the optimal HS/MARS models achieved coefficients of determination of 0.8339, 0.8676, and 0.8714 for C, H, and O, respectively. The HS/MARS models also outperformed the MLP models, demonstrating their superior predictive capability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17287,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Energy Institute","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 102322"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145266505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yi Wang , Xinyi Li , Yuqi Wang , Donghai Xu , Lili Qian , Pavel A. Strizhak , Vadim A. Yakovlev , Le Wu , Lan Zheng , Xin Ding
{"title":"Co-hydrothermal liquefaction of spirulina + corn straw: Reaction mechanism, pathways and kinetic studies","authors":"Yi Wang , Xinyi Li , Yuqi Wang , Donghai Xu , Lili Qian , Pavel A. Strizhak , Vadim A. Yakovlev , Le Wu , Lan Zheng , Xin Ding","doi":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102330","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102330","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this work, a global kinetic pathway network and quantitative reaction kinetic model have been proposed and applied to accurately present the product changes and migratory behavior in co-hydrothermal liquefaction (co-HTL) of <em>spirulina</em> + corn straw. The reaction kinetic model involves the decomposition of feedstock to produce water-insoluble biocrude, as well as the mutual transformation processes between several different products. Moreover, the proposed model can accurately describe the temporal variation trends of different product yields. By analyzing reaction rate constant <em>k</em><sub><em>i</em></sub> and activation energy <em>E</em><sub>a</sub>, the rate-controlling steps for the non-catalytic and catalytic systems are determined as the pathway of water-insoluble biocrude to solids and that of aqueous-phase products converting to water-soluble biocrude, respectively. Finally, the optimal kinetic parameters obtained from model fitting outcomes were used to accurately predict the distribution and variation of different product yields over a wider range of temperature and time.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17287,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Energy Institute","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 102330"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145266503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chengjun Wei, Xi Zeng, Xi Wang, Zheng Jian, Guangjing Hao, Chao Xiao, Dehong Gong
{"title":"Synthesis of Ni-Ce loaded on CaO-Ca9Al6O18/Ca12Al14O33 sorbent-catalyst bifunctional materials for enhancing hydrogen production from biomass gasification","authors":"Chengjun Wei, Xi Zeng, Xi Wang, Zheng Jian, Guangjing Hao, Chao Xiao, Dehong Gong","doi":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102328","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102328","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ni–Ce/CaO–Ca<sub>12</sub>Al<sub>14</sub>O<sub>33</sub> (Ni–Ce/C<sub>12</sub>A<sub>7</sub>) and Ni–Ce/CaO–Ca<sub>9</sub>Al<sub>6</sub>O<sub>18</sub> (Ni–Ce/C<sub>9</sub>A<sub>3</sub>) catalysts were synthesized from different calcium–aluminum precursors and evaluated for H<sub>2</sub> production via catalytic reforming of pine sawdust. At a Ni/Ce molar ratio of 1.5, Ni–Ce/C<sub>9</sub>A<sub>3</sub>(AN–CF)—prepared using Al(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>·9H<sub>2</sub>O (AN) and Ca(CHO<sub>2</sub>)<sub>2</sub> (CF)—exhibited the best performance, achieving a peak H<sub>2</sub> concentration of 90.97 vol% and an H<sub>2</sub> yield of 294.31 mL/g, compared with 85.51 vol% and 228.19 mL/g for Ni–Ce/C<sub>12</sub>A<sub>7</sub>(AN–CA). The superior performance was attributed to the uniform, mesh-like pore network of Ni–Ce/C<sub>9</sub>A<sub>3</sub>(AN–CF) and to the stability of its average pore diameter during catalytic process. In cyclic tests, Ni–Ce/C<sub>9</sub>A<sub>3</sub>(AN–CF) maintained stable performance for the first four cycles but underwent rapid deactivation from cycle 5 and was nearly deactivated by cycle 10. Ni–Ce/C<sub>12</sub>A<sub>7</sub>(AN–CA) exhibited a more gradual performance decline. The observed deactivation was primarily ascribed to the phase transformation of Ca<sub>9</sub>Al<sub>6</sub>O<sub>18</sub> to Ca<sub>12</sub>Al<sub>14</sub>O<sub>33</sub> under H<sub>2</sub>O–CO<sub>2</sub> atmospheres, which caused pore collapse and sintering of Ni–Ce active species. Although Ca<sub>9</sub>Al<sub>6</sub>O<sub>18</sub> exhibited greater resistance to CaO-particle sintering than Ca<sub>12</sub>Al<sub>14</sub>O<sub>33</sub>, its thermodynamic instability under reaction conditions limited long-term cyclic performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17287,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Energy Institute","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 102328"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145220201","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Highly stable Ni-based catalysts supported on silica nanofibers for the dry reforming of methane with CO2-rich feedstock","authors":"Jirawan Janlon , Nitcha Chatsuwan , Suwadee Kongparakul , Janejira Ratthiwal , Yeong Yin Fong , Prasert Reubroycharoen , Narong Chanlek , Thi Tuong Vi Tran , Chanatip Samart","doi":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102313","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102313","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hydrogen production is a critical factor in implementing low-carbon societies. The dry reforming of methane (DRM) is a promising technology for supporting the hydrogen economy, and catalyst development is vital for enhancing the efficiency of dry reforming reactions. In this study, the catalytic performances of two different Ni–Ce composites over silica fiber (NiCe/SF) and a Ni catalyst over SiO<sub>2</sub>–CeO<sub>2</sub> composite fibers were studied in the DRM with a fixed-bed reactor and two different CO<sub>2</sub>:CH<sub>4</sub> ratios in the feed (50:50 and 85:15). Well-dispersed metal clusters were observed on the surface of the catalysts owing to the effect of CeO<sub>2</sub>. Temperature-programmed reduction of hydrogen analysis indicated that the presence of CeO<sub>2</sub> increased metal–support interactions in the synthesized systems. All samples showed a CH<sub>4</sub> conversion of >80 %. The Ni-based catalysts on SF showed an H<sub>2</sub>/CO ratio of ∼1.2, approaching the H<sub>2</sub>/CO requirement of the Fischer–Tropsch reaction. The 10 %Ni/Ce-SF catalyst exhibited good stability under the reaction conditions for over 50 h and could be reused for up to three cycles; only 4.5 % coking was observed on the spent catalyst. The results of this study confirm that Ni-based catalysts on SF show good catalytic activity in the DRM, opening the way for research on the design and development of sustainable hydrogen production strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17287,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Energy Institute","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 102313"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145220084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohammed Ameen Ahmed Qasem , Eid M Al Mutairi , Abdul Gani Abdul Jameel
{"title":"Sooting propensity of gasoline/diesel-ether blends: Experimental assessment and artificial neural network modeling","authors":"Mohammed Ameen Ahmed Qasem , Eid M Al Mutairi , Abdul Gani Abdul Jameel","doi":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102311","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joei.2025.102311","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the impact of ethers as oxygenated fuel additives, on reducing soot emissions from gasoline and diesel combustion. Soot formation, a significant environmental challenge, is heavily influenced by the molecular structure of fuels, necessitating a thorough assessment of the sooting tendencies of diesel/gasoline-ether blends to better understand and mitigate particulate matter (PM) emissions. The study employed measurements of the smoke point (SP), oxygen-extended sooting index (OESI), and threshold sooting index (TSI) to evaluate the sooting tendencies of these blends. Artificial intelligence (AI) models were developed using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) tools, based on SP measurements from forty blends with varying ether percentages in diesel/gasoline mixtures. Various features, such as functional groups, molecular weight, branching index, density, and molar ratios, were used as inputs, while the measured SPs, TSIs, and OESIs served as target outputs.</div><div>Although SP and TSI are widely used to evaluate soot formation, they have limitations in capturing the role of oxygen in combustion chemistry. To address this gap, the OESI—an index that explicitly incorporates the effect of fuel-borne oxygen—was employed in this study to evaluate soot formation in ether-based blends with gasoline and diesel. Moreover, ANNs were applied to predict soot formation in untested blends with similar molecular structures, providing a robust predictive framework that complements experimental analysis.</div><div>The results revealed a strong correlation between predicted and experimental indices, with correlation coefficients (R) of 0.96 for SP, 0.99 for TSI, and 0.98 for OESI, indicating high model accuracy. The respective mean absolute errors were 1.16, 1.00, and 4.92, confirming the reliability of the AI approach. Key molecular characteristics, such as aromaticity, branching, and molar ratios, were found to significantly influence sooting behavior. This study highlights the potential of AI-driven models in accurately predicting soot formation trends in fuel blends containing ethers, offering valuable insights for the design of cleaner and more sustainable fuels.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17287,"journal":{"name":"Journal of The Energy Institute","volume":"123 ","pages":"Article 102311"},"PeriodicalIF":6.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145323855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}