Utilisation of Ethanol for Efficiency Improvement and Emissions Reduction in an Automotive Spark Ignition Engine with Oxygen-Enriched Air

Effects of knock intensity measurement technique and fuel chemical composition on the research octane number (RON) of FACE gasolines: Part 1 – Lambda and knock characterization

Emission reduction benefits and efficiency of e-waste recycling in China

The dual-port fuel injection system for fuel economy improvement in an automotive spark-ignition gasoline engine

The utilization of geothermal energy is clean and has great potential worldwide, and it is important to utilize geothermal energy in a sustainable manner. Mathematical modeling studies of geothermal reservoirs are important as they evaluate and quantify the complex multi-physical effects in geothermal reservoirs. However, previous modeling efforts lack the study focusing on the emission reduction efficiency and the deformation at geothermal wellbores caused by geothermal water extraction/circulation. Emission efficiency is rather relevant in geothermal projects introduced in areas characterized by elevated air pollution where the utilization of geothermal energy is as an alternative to burning fossil fuels. Deformation at geothermal wellbores is also relevant as significant deformation caused by water extraction can lead to geothermal wellbore instability and can consequently decrease the effectiveness of the heat extraction process in geothermal wells. In this study, the efficiency of emission reduction and heat extraction in a sedimentary geothermal reservoir in Daming County, China, are numerically investigated based on a coupled multi-physical model. Relationships between the efficiency of emission reduction and heat extraction, deformation at geothermal well locations, and geothermal field parameters including well spacing, heat production rate, re-injection temperature, rock stiffness, and geothermal well placement patterns are analyzed. Results show that, although large heat production rates and low re-injection temperatures can lead to decreased heat production in the last 8years of heat extraction, they still improve the overall heat production capacity and emission reduction capacity. Also, the emission reduction capacity is positively correlated with the heat production capacity. Deformation at geothermal wellbore locations is alleviated by smaller well spacing, lower heat production rates, and smaller numbers of injectors in the well pattern, and by placing wells at locations with higher rock stiffness. Compared with the reference case with coal burning for heating purposes, the yearly emission reduction capacity can reach 1 × 107kg by switching to the direct utilization of geothermal energy in Daming field.

Reducing the level of pollutant emissions of internal combustion engines requires the adaptation of solutions that improve the combustion process in the cylinder but those solutions may increase their constructive complexity. For this reason, the use of hydrogen is an effective solution, both for replacing fossil fuels and for reducing the concentration of pollutant emissions. The use of hydrogen as an additional fuel for the automotive spark ignition engines offers the possibility of obtaining increased energy performance, decreased pollutant emissions level and decreased concentration of greenhouse gas emissions. The paper presents the results of the some theoretical and experimental investigations carried on an automotive spark ignition engine, analysing the influence of the hydrogen on combustion and implicitly on energy performance and pollution. The simulation of thermo-gas-dynamic processes in the cylinder of the engine fed successively with gasoline/gasoline and hydrogen, allowed the authors to develop a specific and efficient procedure for conducting experimental investigations. The results of the theoretical and experimental research obtained and presented in the paper highlight the advantages of using hydrogen as an additive to gasoline fuelling in the automobile spark ignition engine: the improvement of combustion (reduction of combustion duration, increase of indicated thermal efficiency, reduction of specific energy consumption) and reduction of the level of polluting emissions and of the emission of greenhouse gases. An engine adjustment strategy for the sharp reduction of the concentration of nitrogen oxides is also presented.

This paper using DEA-Malmquist productivity index evaluation method, build an evaluation index system of provincial energy conservation and emissions reduction including the energy conservation, emission reduction, desirable output and undesirable output indicators. The result shows that the efficiency of China's energy conservation and emissions reduction is promoted, mainly owes to technological progress; the efficiency of energy conservation and emissions reduction between regions are different. With the exception of Shanxi, Guizhou, Beijing, Inner Mongolia and Zhejiang having bigger than 1.1 in the efficiency of energy conservation and emissions reduction, all other regions present an obvious gap from the highest one. In particular, the efficiency in Qinghai, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan and Xingjiang is lesser than 1, indicating that the efficiency has much space to improve. And then, the redundancy of the input is used to further analyze the cause of the efficiency of energy conservation and emissions reduction. We find that the redundancy of energy consumption is the largest among all the input in nation and regions, which reflect that the low energy efficiency is the most important reason restricts the efficiency of the energy conservation and emissions reduction. Generally, the input efficiency in eastern region is higher than the central and western regions, which can explain why the energy conservation and emissions reduction is most efficient in eastern region.

<div class="htmlview paragraph">A single-cylinder, 4-stroke, spark-ignition engine was used to evaluate the effect of oxygen enriched air on engine performance and exhaust emissions. Evaluations were made with both gasoline and natural gas. The oxygen content of the intake air was varied between 20.9% (ambient air) and 25%. The effects of oxygen enrichment were evaluated in terms of power output, specific fuel consumption, fuel conversion efficiency, exhaust gas temperature, and exhaust emissions (carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons). Test results indicate that the use of oxygen enriched air produces a significant increase in power output, improved fuel conversion efficiency, lower specific fuel consumption, higher exhaust gas temperature and a substantial reduction in carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions when the engine is fueled with either gasoline or natural gas.</div> <div class="htmlview paragraph">The feasibility of using a membrane gas separator to supply oxygen enriched air for vehicle applications was also considered and determined to be feasible. Additional research is needed to fully explore the possibilities of reducing exhaust emissions and increasing engine efficiency via oxygen enriched intake air.</div>

Efficiency evaluation and influencing factors of energy saving and emission reduction: An empirical study of China’s three major urban agglomerations from the perspective of environmental benefits

A production vehicle powered by a spark-ignition engine (3.1-L Chevrolet Lumina, model year 1990) was tested. The test used oxygen-enriched intake air containing 25 and 28% oxygen by volume to determine (1) if the vehicle would run without difficulties and (2) if emissions benefits would result. Standard Federal Test Procedure (FTP) emissions test cycles were run satisfactorily. Test results of catalytic converter-out emissions (emissions out of the converter) showed that both carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons were reduced significantly in all three phases of the emissions test cycle. Test results of engine-out emissions (emissions straight out of the engine, with the converter removed) showed that carbon monoxide was significantly reduced in the cold phase. All emission test results were compared with those for normal air (21% oxygen). The catalytic converter also had an improved carbon monoxide conversion efficiency under the oxygen-enriched-air conditions. Detailed results of hydrocarbon speciation indicated large reductions in 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and benzene from the engine with the oxygen-enriched air. Catalytic converter-out ozone was reduced by 60% with 25%-oxygen-content air. Although NO{sub x} emissions increased significantly, both for engine-out and catalytic converter-out emissions, we anticipate that they can be ameliorated in the near future with new control technologies.more » The automotive industry currently is developing exhaust-gas control technologies for an oxidizing environment; these technologies should reduce NO{sub x} emissions more efficiently in vehicles that use oxygen-enriched intake air. On the basis of estimates made from current data, several production vehicles that had low NO{sub x} emissions could meet the 2004 Tier II emissions standards with 25%-oxygen-content air.« less

Effects of atmospheric-plasma system on energy efficiency improvement and emissions reduction from a diesel engine

<div class="htmlview paragraph">The development of a computer simulation model for an automotive turbocharged multi cylinder spark ignition engine for gasoline and methanol operations is described in this paper. The model illustrates the simulation of the thermodynamic cycle comprising of compression, combustion, expansion, exhaust and intake processes. The scheme employed for matching the turbocharger and engine is also highlighted. The computed data of the above model is validated with the available experimental data. The model predicts the brake power developed by the engine, brake specific energy consumption, the nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide emissions for both the gasoline and methanol operations, corresponding to the original and improved manifold design configurations. The overall analysis of the results show an increase in power output, lower nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide emissions and improved brake specific energy consumption for the methanol fueled engine as compared to the gasoline version for both the original and modified engine designs operating on naturally aspirated and turbocharged conditions.</div>

The combustion with oxygen enriched air has a potential of the fuel savings and the consequent reduction of carbon dioxide emission. The fuel savings were examined by the enthalpy of equilibrium state in case of oxygen enriched combustion. The fuel consumption in case of 30-40% oxygen enriched air is reduced by 5.9-9.1% as compared with the case of 21% oxygen air at exhaust temperature 773K after whichsensible heat of exhaust gas exchange the sensible heat of combustion air. However, NO emission increases with the enrichment of oxygen in the air and the increase of initial temperature. The effect of oxygen enriched air and initial temperature on NO emissions in the methane premix flame was numerically analyzed with detailed chemistry for the equivalent ratio of 0.5-2.0. The results revealed that the low NOx combustion with 30% oxygen enriched air can be achieved in case of the fuel rich (φ>2.0) condition. Furthermore, the effect of oxygen enriched air and entrainment of exhaust gas was analyzed numerically. The low NOx combustion with 30% oxygen enriched air and initial temperature 798K can be achieved in case of the fuel lean (φ<0.5) or fuel rich (φ>1.5) condition and mixing ratio 0.5 which is expressed that the ratio mole of exhaust gas against the mole of fuel and oxygen enriched air.

Efficiency evaluation and spill-over effect of energy saving and emission reduction in China under the New Normal of Economic Development.

Experimental investigation on effects of oxygen enriched air on performance, combustion and emission characteristics of a methanol fuelled spark ignition engine

How does internet development affect energy-saving and emission reduction? Evidence from China