Experimental studies to evaluate the combustion, performance and emission characteristics of acetylene fuelled CI engine

Abstract

In this current study, the author has conducted an experimental investigation on the acetylene dual fuel CI engine at different mass flow rates of LPM (2, 4, 6 and 8) in CI engine. The performance, emission and combustion characteristics of the acetylene dual-fuel engine (DFE) at various loading conditions were evaluated and compared with that of baseline diesel. It was observed that when acetylene was inducted at 4 LPM, the modified CI engine has comparable BTE, i.e. 30.3%. CO, HC and smoke decrease by 17%, 24%, 27% and 32%, respectively, at peak loads for 4 LPM acetylene dual-fuel engine with a slight penalty of NOx emission during the DFE mode. The consumption of diesel was reduced significantly by 26% at maximum load for 4 LPM. Overall, it can be concluded that the optimum flow rate of acetylene should be maintained at 4 LPM for effective utilisation of acetylene. Abbreviation: BMEP: brake mean effective pressure; BSU: Bosch smoke unit; BTE: brake thermal efficiency; CI: compression-ignition; CO: carbon mono oxide; CO2: carbon dioxide; D: diesel; DFE: dual fuel engine; DFC: dual fuel combustion; DI: direct injection; EGT: exhaust gas temperature; HC: hydrocarbon; H: hydrogen; HRR: heat release rate; IC: internal combustion; ID: ignition delay; LPM: litres per minute; NOx: oxides of nitrogen; PPM: parts per million; VCR: variable compression ratio