Comparative study of laser ignition and conventional electrical spark ignition systems in a hydrogen fuelled engine

Abstract

Increasing population and demand for fossil fuels is leading to rapid depletion of petroleum reserves. Hydrogen has great promise as an alternative fuel for powering next generation internal combustion engines with improved thermal efficiency and reduced emissions. Laser ignition (LI) has emerged as an efficient ignition technique for delivering superior engine efficiency with lower emissions. Use of LI to initiate combustion in an engine fuelled with hydrogen–air mixtures can greatly help in reducing emissions, improving engine performance and tackling the problem of fossil fuel depletion. In this study, a laser ignited hydrogen fuel prototype engine has been developed and comparison of its performance, emissions and combustion parameters is done with baseline data generated using conventional spark ignition (SI) system.