Effects of natural gas admission location and timing on performance and emissions characteristics of LPDF two-stroke engine at low load

Abstract

Low-pressure gas-admission marine two-stroke engines have significant potential for reducing emissions in the shipping industry. However, they exhibit poor combustion quality under low-load conditions, leading to lower thermal efficiency and high levels of HC and CO emissions. This study numerically evaluated the impacts of the gas admission location and timing on engine performance and exhaust gas emissions under low load conditions. The study revealed that different gas admission locations form distinct NG-air stratifications. Lower gas admission locations resulted in longer ignition delays and shorter combustion durations. The unburned CH4 and CO emissions were significantly reduced by a maximum of 20.14% and 42.29%, respectively. A trade-off exists between NOx and N2O emissions owing to the different temperature conditions of their formation. The NOx emissions increased continuously as the gas admission location was lowered to a maximum of 3.4218 g/kWh; a value slightly above the Tier III emission standards. Advancing the timing of gas admission further decreased the ignition delay time, NOx, and unburned CH4 emissions. This study revealed that in-cylinder natural gas mixture stratification due to varying gas admission locations and timings can improve the combustion efficiency and exhaust gas emissions of a natural gas-diesel dual-fuel engine under low-load conditions.