Poly-Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers (OMEx) are being intensively investigated because of their potentially renewable synthesis path, which make them suitable as liquid fuels for low-carbon transport applications. In the present contribution, a computational study on the difference in combustion characteristics between dodecane and OMEx-type fuels under Engine Combustion Network (ECN) Spray A conditions is reported. In particular, a blend of different OMEx fuels have been investigated and compared to dodecane, which is a more conventional diesellike fuel. The modelling framework consists of a high-fidelity LES approach together with a Eulerian-Lagrangian spray model and flamelet-based turbulent combustion model. Results indicate ignition delay time and lift-off length according to the fuel reactivity properties, with the OMEx fuel performing similarly to dodecane. Flamelet calculations show that ignition of the oxygenated fuels is in general similar to that of dodecane, but it occurs at higher mixture fraction values due to the differences in stoichiometry. One of the most relevant outcomes of the study is the important effect that the oxygenated characteristics of OMEx has on the flame structure. Results show that for OMEx the reaction front is stabilized at distances closer to the nozzle than for dodecane, and that the flame shape as well as its internal structure is clearly affected.

A thermodynamic model for a hybrid thermo-solar externally fired gas turbine power plant fueled with biomass is presented. This technology represents a fully renewable way of obtaining electric power relying mainly in biomass with an extra advantage of decreasing its consumption at good radiative conditions. A concentrated solar power plant is implemented considering the Solugas project situated in Abengoa's Solúcar Platform near Seville. To predict its behavior two models were implemented and compared with experimental data. Typical daily evolution of the output power, biomass mass flow, overall efficiency and biomass conversion efficiency for a typical Uruguayan year is presented. In addition, global results are presented leading to a 1.5% biomass saving increasing the economic efficiency a 0.34% what denotes the solar field and thermal power of receiver seem to be undersized.

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