Effect of electrolysis of gaseous water molecules with different voltages and frequencies of corona on the performance and emissions characteristics of the gasoline engine

Abstract

Among various air pollution issues, exhaust emissions from internal combustion engines have become one of society’s primary concerns. This study analyzed the water system and plasma system installed on the intake manifold to investigate the effects of additional substances produced by the electrolysis of saturated gaseous water molecules on engine performance and exhaust emissions. The results indicate that electrolyzing gaseous water molecules produce hydrogen and oxygen at different voltages and frequencies of the corona, which affects the power efficiency and the brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of internal combustion engines. Moreover, it affects the concentration of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The result shows that engine power increased by 2.5%, BSFC decreased by 3%, and CO decreased by 9%. However, the result indicates that HC increased by 29%, and NOx increased by 21%. In conclusion, electrolyzing saturated gaseous water molecules in a non-thermal plasma improves engine performance but increases the concentration of HC and NOx. However, the changes in performance and exhaust emissions are only noticeable at higher ignition frequencies of the non-thermal plasma, and the performance changes at lower frequencies are like only using the water system.