Abstract
The free-piston gasoline engine linear generator (FPGLG) is a new kind of power plant consisting of free-piston gasoline engines and a linear generator. Due to the elimination of the crankshaft mechanism, the piston motion process and the combustion heat release process affect each other significantly. In this paper, the combustion characteristics during the stable generating process of a FPGLG were presented using a numerical iteration method, which coupled a zero-dimensional piston dynamic model and a three-dimensional scavenging model with the combustion process simulation. The results indicated that, compared to the conventional engine (CE), the heat release process of the FPGLG lasted longer with a lower peak heat release rate. The indicated thermal efficiency of the engine was lower because less heat was released around the piston top dead centre (TDC). Very minimal difference was observed on the ignition delay duration between the FPGLG and the CE, while the post-combustion period of the FPGLG was significantly longer than that of the CE. Meanwhile, the FPGLG was found to operate more moderately due to lower peak in-cylinder gas pressure and a lower pressure rising rate. The potential advantage of the FPGLG in lower NOx emission was also proven with the simulation results presented in this paper.
Highlights
Because of the consumers’ demand for low fuel consumption and the stringent governmental emission legislation, researchers all over the world have been devoted to improving the technologies in the traditional internal combustion engine, as well as investigating new kinds of power machinery for energy conversion [1,2,3,4,5]
The results showed that the performance of the free-piston engine linear generator (FPLG) had a slight advantage engine
The results showed that the performance of the FPLG had a slight advantage over the over the conventional engine for faster-burning fuels [14]
Summary
Because of the consumers’ demand for low fuel consumption and the stringent governmental emission legislation, researchers all over the world have been devoted to improving the technologies in the traditional internal combustion engine, as well as investigating new kinds of power machinery for energy conversion [1,2,3,4,5]. The free-piston engine linear generator (FPLG), as one of the new energy conversion devices, has been widely studied due to its potential advantages of high efficiency, low emissions and multi-fuel capability over the conventional engines [6]. The FPLG is a combination of free-piston engines and a linear generator. The dual piston free-piston engine type was selected because of its higher power-to-weight ratio and the elimination of rebound devices.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
