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The ignition delay times of n-C7H16, i-C8H18, and a blend of them at different fuel, O2 and N2 concentrations were computed using a detailed chemical kinetic mechanism generated by KUCRS. For each fuel, the dependences of ignition delay time on fuel, O2 and third body concentrations and on the heat capacity of a mixture were distilled to establish a power law equation for ignition delay time. For n-C7H16, ignition delay time τhigh without low-temperature oxidation at a high initial temperature between 1000 K and 1200 K was expressed using the scaling exponents for fuel, O2 and third body concentrations and heat capacity of 0.54, 0.29, 0.08, and - 0.38, respectively. Low-temperature oxidation induction time τ1 at a low initial temperature between 600 K and 700 K was expressed using the scaling exponents for fuel, O2 and third body concentrations and heat capacity of 0.03, 0.18, 0.04, and - 0.17, respectively.

To execute the computational fluid dynamics coupling with fuel chemistry in internal combustion engines, simplified chemical kinetic models which capture the low-temperature oxidation kinetics would be required. A steady-state analysis was applied to see the complicated reaction mechanism of alkylperoxy radicals by assuming the steady state for hydroperoxyalkyl (QOOH) and hydroperoxyalkylperoxy (OOQOOH) radicals. This analysis clearly shows the systematic trend of the reaction rate for the chain-branching and non-branching process of alkylperoxy (ROO) radicals as a function of the chain length and the carbon class. These trends make it possible to classify alkylperoxy radicals by their chemical structures, and suggest a reduced low-temperature oxidation chemistry.

The interaction between spark discharge and low-temperature oxidation (LTO) was investigated using an optical compression and expansion machine fueled with n-C7H16 or i-C8H18 for an equivalence ratio of 0.33. Charge pressure was adjusted so that the compression stoke could induce LTO for n-C7H16, but could not lead to high-temperature reactions. A spark was discharged in the field before, during, or after the LTO for n-C7H16 or in the field without LTO for i-C8H18. Reaction zones were induced in the field after the LTO, whereas no reaction zones were induced in the fields before the LTO and without LTO. Local ignitions were induced in the areas surrounding the propagating reaction zones. The reaction zone propagation with the low equivalence ratio must be a different phenomenon from conventional flame propagation. The reaction zones can compress or heat the surrounding areas containing H2O2 and CH2O, and accelerate an H2O2 regeneration loop in the pre-reaction zones.