Biodiesel has been of interest as an additive to diesel fuel because its use allows reducing the dependence on imported petroleum and because it has a positive impact on global climate change by decreasing carbon dioxide emissions. Biodiesel fuels are complex mixtures composed of large mono alkyl-esters of long chain fatty acids (C₁₄-C₂₂) mainly derived from vegetable oils. A good knowledge of the kinetics of the reaction of combustion of biodiesel fuels at high and low temperature is necessary to perform simulations in the field of homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) and diesel engines. A detailed chemical kinetic mechanism has been developed and used to study the oxidation of methyl decanoate, a surrogate for biodiesel fuel. This model includes all the reactions known to pertinent to both the high and low temperatures found in HCCI and diesel engines. The reaction rate rules particular to methyl ester chemistry will be discussed.

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