Experimental studies on the influence of axial and radial fields of sintered neo-delta magnets in reforming the energy utilization combustion and emission properties of a hydrocarbon fuel

Abstract

ABSTRACT Permanent magnets based on rare earth components have been increasingly finding their applications in modern technologies. Although the magnetic properties tend to deteriorate rapidly at temperatures in excess of 150ºC, sintered NdFeB magnets can be employed in reforming the physical and combustion properties of hydrocarbon fuels. In the present investigation, two different magnetization patterns of high-grade NdFeB magnets are applied in varying intensities on a multicylinder MPFI engine fueled by gasoline and the alteration in combustion and emission properties of the fuel are studied. The magnetic field restructures the hydrocarbon molecules and causes the pseudo clusters to break away thus reducing the inherent viscosity and enhancing the association of hydrocarbon molecules with the oxidizer. The effectiveness of two different magnetization patterns of sintered NdFeB magnetic material in reforming the combustion characteristics is studied and compared. The study shows a maximum increase of 9.2% in power output and 7.74% in thermal efficiency of the test engine along with a significant reduction in the generation of toxic emissions that are the byproducts of combustion. The study also concludes that radial magnetic fields are more effective in conditioning the fuel and reducing the emission of CO, HC, and NOx by 8.57%, 5.52%, and 1.25% compared to the same intensity fields under axial magnetization. The combustion behavior of gasoline is studied under both field patterns. The statistical analysis of mean effective pressures through radar plots is conclusive of the reduction in cycle by cycle variations under magnetic field-assisted combustion. Abbreviations: NdFeB:Neodymium Iron Boron permanent magnet; SmCo:Samarium Cobalt permanent magnet; MPFI:Multipoint Port Fuel injection; BP:Brake Power; BTE:Brake Thermal Efficiency; BSFC:Brake Specific Fuel Consumption; NHRR:Net Heat Release Rate; IMEP:Indicated Mean Effective Pressure; COV:Coefficient of Variation; CO:Carbon Monoxide; CO2:Carbon dioxide; HC: hydrocarbon; NOxOxides of Nitrogen.