Abstract
The aim of the presented article is to analyse the influence of synthesis gas composition on the power, economic, and internal parameters of an atmospheric two-cylinder spark-ignition internal combustion engine (displacement of 686 cm3) designed for a micro-cogeneration unit. Synthesis gases produced mainly from waste contain combustible components as their basic material (methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide), as well as inert gases (carbon dioxide and nitrogen). A total of twelve synthesis gases were analysed that fall into the category of medium-energy gases with lower heating value in the range from 8 to 12 MJ/kg. All of the resulting parameters from the operation of the combustion engine powered by synthesis gases were compared with the reference fuel methane. The results show a decrease in the performance parameters for all operating loads and an increase in hourly fuel consumption. Specifically, for the operating speed of the micro-cogeneration unit (1500 L/min), the decrease in power parameters was in the range of 7.1–23.5%; however, the increase in hourly fuel consumption was higher by 270% to 420%. The decrease in effective efficiency ranged from 0.4 to 4.6%, which in percentage terms represented a decrease from 1.3% to 14.5%. The process of fuel combustion was most strongly influenced by the proportion of hydrogen and inert gases in the mixture. It can be concluded that setting up the synthesis gas production in the waste gasification process in order to achieve optimum performance and economic parameters of the combustion engine for a micro cogeneration unit has an influential role and is of crucial importance.
Highlights
The growing energy demand, as well as lowering of the greenhouse gas emissions are pressing scientist to seek new cleaner energy sources
The basic comparative fuel for the analysis of the effect of synthesis gases on the parameters of the internal combustion engine was methane, to which the results obtained by the combustion of synthesis gases have been compared
A preliminary analysis of the physical–chemical properties shows that SG10 has the highest volume heating value of the stoichiometric mixture of fuel and air (3.030 MJ/m3 ) and the synthesis gas SG3 has the lowest (2.619 MJ/m3 )
Summary
The growing energy demand, as well as lowering of the greenhouse gas emissions are pressing scientist to seek new cleaner energy sources. Gasification of municipal solid waste (MSW) is one of the proposed sources of such energy. This helps to cope with the greenhouse emissions in two ways. Surplus oxygen causes the waste to undergo aerobic decomposition, releasing carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and hydrogen (H2 ) to the atmosphere. In this stage the primary complex molecular chains decompose to simpler ones. The second anaerobic stage takes place after all of the oxygen (O2 ) has been used up This process is highly acidic, with acetic acid, lactic acid, and formic acid being formed in this given phase, as well as alcohols, such as methanol and ethanol
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
