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Off-Design Operation of a Carbon Capture Enabler Oxy-Fuel Combustion Engine with O2 Self-Production
by
Diego Contreras
Diego Contreras
Diego Contreras Jiménez earned a BSc in Energy Engineering from the University of Seville in 2021 & [...]
Diego Contreras Jiménez earned a BSc in Energy Engineering from the University of Seville in 2021 and an MSc in Industrial Engineering from the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) in 2024. Since 2023, he has been working at CMT–Clean Mobility & Thermofluids as a researcher and PhD candidate. He has participated as a speaker at the CNIT 2025 conference in Zaragoza and was an author at the 2024 and 2025 editions of the ASME ICEF conference. His research focuses on the application of oxy-fuel combustion in semi-closed cycle engines to enable carbon capture in hard-to-abate sectors, combining experimental studies and 0D–1D modelling.
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Luis Miguel García-Cuevas
Luis Miguel García-Cuevas
Professor Luis Miguel García-Cuevas performs his research activities as a member of the CMT – & [...]
Professor Luis Miguel García-Cuevas performs his research activities as a member of the CMT – Clean Mobility & Thermofluids Research Institute. He has supervised four PhD theses, published 50 journal articles, presented 26 papers at international conferences, holds one patent, and has an h-index of 17. He has participated in 30 R&D&I contracts with industry and in 22 publicly funded competitive research projects, serving as principal investigator in six of them. His research focuses on simulation and experimental methods for thermofluid dynamic processes, including industrially relevant cycles, power plants, and internal and external aerodynamics, as well as conceptual design methods for non-conventional aircraft configurations. He is the academic director of UPV’s MSc. Program in Aeronautical Engineering and represents UPV in the PEGASUS association; he also represents his institution in the Spanish Aerospace Platform as an elected member of its Management Board and is the technical director of UPV’s Aerodynamic Research Service.
Francisco José Arnau
Francisco José Arnau
Francisco José Arnau Martínez earned a BS in Industrial Engineering (1998) and a PhD in Mechanical [...]
Francisco José Arnau Martínez earned a BS in Industrial Engineering (1998) and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering (2003) from the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). He is now a Full Professor in the Department of Thermal Machines and Engines at the CMT–Clean Mobility & Thermofluids Research Institute. His work in engine modelling and thermofluids has resulted in 54 journal articles, 39 conference papers, numerous invited lectures, and participation in national and international research projects, including roles as Principal Investigator. He is also a co-inventor of a patent on membrane-assisted oxy-fuel combustion.
Prof. Arnau has received distinctions including the ASME Most Valuable Technical Paper Award (2020) and the ASME IGTI Best Paper Award (2014). His research interests include 0D/1D engine modelling, turbocharging and boosting systems, aftertreatment and emissions, oxy-fuel combustion, MIEC oxygen-separation membranes, alternative fuels such as ammonia, and large-bore engine systems.
José Ramón Serrano
José Ramón Serrano
José Ramón Serrano Cruz received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Universitat Politècnica a [...]
José Ramón Serrano Cruz received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Universitat Politècnica de València in 1999 and is now a Full Professor at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), where he also serves as Director of the Instituto Universitario de Investigación CMT – Clean Mobility & Thermofluids. He worked as a Researcher and Faculty Member in the Department of Machines and Thermal Engines at UPV early in his career and over the years advanced through academic ranks. In 2010, he was appointed Catedrático de Universidad (Full Professor) at UPV. Since then, he has combined teaching, research, and leadership roles, contributing to engineering education and innovation in the fields of mobility and thermofluids. His work includes supervising research projects, doctoral theses, and fostering collaborations between academia and industry. His research topics mainly include internal combustion engines, clean mobility, thermofluids, energy efficiency, and reduction in pollutant emissions. He has a long record of scientific publications and influence in his field.
Fabio Alberto Gutiérrez
Fabio Alberto Gutiérrez
Fabio Alberto Gutiérrez Castro received his PhD in Propulsion Systems/Thermal Engines from de in He [...]
Fabio Alberto Gutiérrez Castro received his PhD in Propulsion Systems/Thermal Engines from Universitat Politècnica de València in Spain, with Cum Laude distinction for his doctoral research. He has worked as a Pre-doctoral Researcher at Universitat Politècnica de València, where his work focused on internal combustion engines, carbon capture, and related energy systems. Additionally, he has held research roles and participated in academic projects, including collaborations that are reflected in his scientific publications on combustion engines and carbon capture studies. He transitioned into roles in the research and technical innovation sectors, including involvement with projects at Fundación Valenciaport, where he contributes his expertise in energy transition technologies and low-carbon propulsion systems. His research topics mainly include combustion engine optimisation, carbon capture technologies, propulsion systems, and energy transition strategies.
1
CMT—Clean Mobility & Thermofluids, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
2
Fundación Valenciaport, Edificio III, Avda. del Muelle del Turia, s/n, 46024 Valencia, Spain
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Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(1), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010077 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 18 November 2025
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Revised: 11 December 2025
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Accepted: 17 December 2025
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Published: 21 December 2025
Abstract
This work examines the behaviour of a spark-ignition engine using oxy-fuel combustion, coupled with an oxygen production cycle based on a mixed ionic-electronic ceramic membrane. Through 1D-0D simulations, two compression ratios are studied: the original ratio of 9.6 and the optimised CR of 20, under various load levels and altitude conditions. The results show that operational limits exist at part-load conditions, where reducing the load without implementing additional control strategies may compromise system performance. It is observed that at low loads, the intake pressure can fall below atmospheric pressure, encouraging the presence of N2 in the combustion process. Additionally, the engine can operate efficiently up to an altitude of 4000 m, although increasing boosting is required to maintain proper membrane conditions. These findings emphasise the importance of load control and the potential need for energy assistance under certain circumstances.
Share and Cite
MDPI and ACS Style
Contreras, D.; García-Cuevas, L.M.; Arnau, F.J.; Serrano, J.R.; Gutiérrez, F.A.
Off-Design Operation of a Carbon Capture Enabler Oxy-Fuel Combustion Engine with O2 Self-Production. Appl. Sci. 2026, 16, 77.
https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010077
AMA Style
Contreras D, García-Cuevas LM, Arnau FJ, Serrano JR, Gutiérrez FA.
Off-Design Operation of a Carbon Capture Enabler Oxy-Fuel Combustion Engine with O2 Self-Production. Applied Sciences. 2026; 16(1):77.
https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010077
Chicago/Turabian Style
Contreras, Diego, Luis Miguel García-Cuevas, Francisco José Arnau, José Ramón Serrano, and Fabio Alberto Gutiérrez.
2026. "Off-Design Operation of a Carbon Capture Enabler Oxy-Fuel Combustion Engine with O2 Self-Production" Applied Sciences 16, no. 1: 77.
https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010077
APA Style
Contreras, D., García-Cuevas, L. M., Arnau, F. J., Serrano, J. R., & Gutiérrez, F. A.
(2026). Off-Design Operation of a Carbon Capture Enabler Oxy-Fuel Combustion Engine with O2 Self-Production. Applied Sciences, 16(1), 77.
https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010077
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