Flame Luminosity Enhancement of Neat Methanol Fuel by Non-Aromatic Hydrocarbon Additives

The visible light emission from pool flames of neat methanol, M85 (methanol containing 15 percent by volume gasoline), and methanol containing up to 6 percent of hydrocarbons has been measured as a function of burning time. A set of additives, which enhance the luminosity of methanol pool flames, has been developed. Several potential additives, which provide acceptable levels of luminosity from pool flames, have been identified. These additives consist of non-aromatic hydrocarbons. The required amounts of these additives for acceptable luminosity levels are 4 to 6 percent. Most of these additives provide luminosities approaching that of M85 during the initial burning period and exceeding it for the remainder of the burning time.