Enhancing the performance of a spark-ignition methanol engine with hydrogen addition

Abstract

This paper investigated the effect of hydrogen addition on enhancing the performance of a methanol engine at part load and lean conditions. The experiment was conducted on a modified spark-ignited engine equipped with an adjustable dual-fuel injection system. The engine was run at an engine speed of 1400 rpm with two hydrogen volume fractions in the intake of 0% and 3%. The test results illustrated that the engine cyclic variation was eased and the brake thermal efficiency was enhanced after the hydrogen blending. Besides, the hydrogen enrichment was effective on reducing the flame development and propagation periods. HC and CO emissions were generally reduced after the hydrogen blending. NOx emissions from the hydrogen-blended methanol engine could be dropped to a low level when the engine was run under high excess air ratios.