Kinetic modeling of butanol combustion: A comprehensive review covering high- and low-temperature reactions, composite combustion, and engine simulation

[Display omitted] •Kinetic modeling of butanol isomers combustion was systematically reviewed.•Butanol high-temp main pathways closely relate to combustion modes/conditions.•H-abstraction branch ratios significantly affect low-temp combustion chemistry.•Butanol isomers carbon chain contribute differently to soot precursor formation.•Composite models and their applications in engine simulation were summarized. Butanol is a highly promising alternative fuel in the context of carbon neutrality. Attaining a thorough understanding of its chemical transformation mechanisms is pivotal for optimizing the combustion process and ensuring efficient and clean combustion. Despite numerous noteworthy advancements in the study of butanol combustion reaction kinetics, there is still a lack of comprehensive review research to understand the kinetic behavior of different butanol isomers under different combustion conditions. Therefore, this study systematically reviews the research progress on butanol combustion reaction kinetics under various combustion modes (diffusion, premixing, and pyrolysis) and conditions (rich/lean fuel mixtures, pressures, and temperatures). The scope of this review covers the high- and low-temperature chemistry of four butanol isomers (n-butanol, sec-butanol, iso-butanol, and tert-butanol), the mechanism of soot formation, and the kinetics of butanol composite combustion. Clarifications are provided on the differences in reaction pathways among butanol isomers during high- and low-temperature oxidation, along with the evolution of dominant pathways, H-atom abstraction branching ratios, and fuel-radical reaction pathways, all in relation to molecular structures and combustion conditions. Furthermore, this work reviews the composite combustion kinetics models of butanol with gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and biodiesel. It also reviews the development of simplified models and their applications in the simulation of mixed-fuel and dual-fuel engines. Finally, this study summarizes the limitations of current butanol and its composite combustion kinetics models, and looks forward to future exploration directions.