Abstract
Power generation units based on the bio-syngas system face two main challenges due to (i) the possible temporary shortage of primary sources and (ii) the engine power derating associated with the use of low-energy density fuels in combustion engines. In both cases, an external input fuel is provided. Hence, complementing syngas with traditional fuels, like natural gas, becomes a necessity. In this work, an experimental methodology is proposed, aiming at the quantification of the impact of the use of both natural gas and syngas in spark ignition (SI) engines on performance and emissions. The main research questions focus on investigating brake thermal efficiency (BTE), power derating, and pollutant emission (NOx, CO, THC, CO2) formation, offering quantitative findings that present the basis for engine optimization procedures. Experimental measurements were performed on a Toyota 4Y-E engine (a 4-cylinders, 4-stroke spark ignition engine) at partial load (10 kW) under different syngas energy shares (SES) and at four different spark ignition timings (10°, 25°, 35° and 45° BTDC). Results reveal that the impact of the different fuel mixtures on BTE is negligible if compared to the influence of spark advance variation on BTE. On the other hand, power derating has proven to be a limiting factor and becomes more prominent with increasing SES. An increasing SES also resulted in an increase of CO and CO2 emissions, while NOx and THC emissions decreased with increasing SES.
Highlights
The always growing needs of energy security and environmental protection are pushing researchers and technicians to investigate and study the possibilities of using renewable fuels in current internal combustion engines to substitute or supplement conventional fossil fuels
A light duty spark-ignition engine operating with natural gas and syngas has been used to characterize the effect of the use of gaseous fuel mixtures on combustion and emissions characteristics
The use of mixtures of natural gas and biomass-generated syngas is crucial for real applications, where a shortage of primary sources or power derating issues may result in the need to complement syngas with natural gas
Summary
The always growing needs of energy security and environmental protection are pushing researchers and technicians to investigate and study the possibilities of using renewable fuels in current internal combustion engines to substitute or supplement conventional fossil fuels. In such a framework, a growing interest in the use of gaseous fuels (natural gas, hydrogen, syngas) is gathering attention among the scientific community. The experimental analysis aims at replicating critical conditions in a gasification-based power plant unit whenever complementing bio-methane with producer gas becomes a necessity Such peculiar conditions may occur for different reasons (shortage of primary sources, peak power output demand) that will be later analyzed. A state-of-the-art analysis of the use of the chosen fuels in spark-ignition engines will be provided
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