Research Progress of Metal Fuel Motor Technology

Abstract

Nano metal powder is a promising new type of fuel because it can replace the traditional non renewable energy, and could be the subject of tremendous practical and research interest for future land and water transportation. In this study, the energy performance of several typical metal fuels were compared and analyzed, and the results show that the energy density of aluminum based metal fuel is as high as 40.91 MJ × 103•m-3, the combustion heat value of reaction between iron powder and oxygen is as high as 58.14 MJ/L. In addition, the research progress of metal fuel (nano Al, Fe powder) motor technology at home and abroad was summarized, and the results show that the specific impulse of nano aluminum based water reactive metal fuel engine can reach 4900 N•s/kg, and that of nano iron based oxygen reaction metal fuel engine can reach 3500 N•s/kg when the combustion chamber pressure and temperature are 5 MPa and 3800 K, respectively. This will provide a reference for promoting the innovation of new energy science and technology.