Single-cylinder Natural Gas Engine Research Articles

Experimental investigation of bimetallic nanoparticles heat transfer characteristics in automotive radiators

Improvement of the thermal properties of coolants used in automobile radiators increases the cooling performance of the engine. Metallic nanoparticle additives generally improve the thermal properties of the coolant. In this study, the heat transfer characteristics of a nanofluid prepared with bimetallic additives (CuO–ZnO) for automotive radiators were experimentally investigated. Experiments were made for four different fluids under constant heating power. These are water-bimetal mixture fluids with 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% particulate additives. UA values of the heat exchanger were calculated using the logarithmic temperature difference method and compared for different concentrations. As a result, it was observed that the 0.3% additive ratio had the highest UA value. In addition, with the increase of the bimetallic nanoparticle additive rate, the heat transfer also increases. Finally, an economic analysis was carried out for the use of nanoparticles in the water cooling system for a single cylinder natural gas engine.

Experimental study on controlled hot surface assisted compression ignition (HSACI) in a naturally aspirated single cylinder gas engine

Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) promises low [Formula: see text] emissions and high efficiency due to fast combustion at low temperatures. However, the control of combustion timing represents a serious challenge due to the lack of dedicated ignition control parameters. This challenge is addressed in this work by means of a hot surface ignition (HSI) system, whose core element consists of a shielded, electrically heated ceramic glow plug. In this approach, termed as hot surface assisted compression ignition (HSACI), a small portion of mixture is thought to ignite in the vicinity of the shielded glow plug and to subsequently propagate to the main combustion chamber in order to initiate bulk-gas auto-ignition. Adjusting the hot surface temperature enables to either advance or retard the onset of combustion and thus, allows to control combustion timing. This paper presents experimental results of initial engine trials, using the HSACI concept in a naturally aspirated single cylinder natural gas engine. Measurements were conducted at a constant engine speed of 1400 l/min and include intake air temperatures in the range of 150–175°C and relative air-fuel ratios ([Formula: see text]) from 2.0 to 2.8. Results show that the HSI system enables combustion under conditions, which do not allow for pure HCCI operation. Moreover, the combustion timing can be actively controlled within certain limits by changing the HSI temperature. Increasing cycle-to-cycle variations limit stable operation at lower temperatures, while a transition to pure HCCI is found at intake temperatures beyond 170°C. The applicable [Formula: see text] range is limited by knocking or uncontrolled combustion toward the rich side and instable operation toward the lean side. Loss analysis points out that wall heat flow and imperfect combustion represent the dominant loss mechanisms. Heat release analysis reveals two pronounced phases, indicating initial flame propagation and subsequent auto-ignition similar to spark assisted compression ignition (SACI).

Experimental study of combustion strategy for jet ignition on a natural gas engine

To explore a suitable combustion strategy for natural gas engines using jet ignition, lean burn with air dilution, stoichiometric burn with EGR dilution and lean burn with EGR dilution were investigated in a single-cylinder natural gas engine, and the performances of two kinds of jet ignition technology, passive jet ignition (PJI) and active jet ignition (AJI), were compared. In the study of lean burn with air dilution strategy, the results showed that AJI could extend the lean limit of excess air ratio (λ) to 2.1, which was significantly higher than PJI’s 1.6. In addition, the highest indicated thermal efficiency (ITE) of AJI was shown 2% (in absolute value) more than that of PJI. Although a decrease of NOx emission was observed with increasing λ in the air dilution strategy, THC and CO emissions increased. Stoichiometric burn with EGR was proved to be less effective, which can only be applied in a limited operation range and had less flexibility. However, in contrast to the strategy of stoichiometric burn with EGR, the strategy of lean burn with EGR showed a much better applicability, and the highest ITE could achieve 45%, which was even higher than that of lean burn with air dilution. Compared with the most efficient points of lean burn with pure air dilution, the lean burn with EGR dilution could reduce 78% THC under IMEP = 1.2 MPa and 12% CO under IMEP = 0.4 MPa. From an overall view of the combustion and emission performances under both low and high loads, the optimum λ would be from 1.4 to 1.6 for the strategy of lean burn with EGR dilution.

The scavenging timing of pre-chamber on the performance of a natural gas engine

The pre-chamber ignition system scavenged with natural gas can effectively improve the in-cylinder combustion process and extend the lean-burn limit of natural gas engines. The scavenging process affects the flow field and fuel-air mixture concentration distribution in the pre-chamber and affects the combustion process in the pre-chamber as well as the ignition process in the main chamber. This has a significant influence on the performance of natural gas engines. It is supposed that the ratio of natural gas remaining in the mixture inside the pre-chamber at the ignition timing affects the combustion process in the pre-chamber. To verify this suppose, an independent injection system for injecting natural gas into the pre-chamber is designed and experiments are carried out on a single-cylinder natural gas engine. The ratio of natural gas remaining in the mixture inside the pre-chamber at the ignition timing is adjusted by changing the injection start angle of the scavenging process. The combustion process in the pre-chamber and the main chamber are analyzed using the in-cylinder pressures. The results indicate that, with the delay of the injection start angle, the ratio of natural gas remaining in the mixture inside the pre-chamber at the ignition timing increases, the combustion process in the pre-chamber is enhanced, the maximum pressure difference between two chambers increases and appears earlier. The energy of the hot jets and the penetration of the jets increase, which enhances the combustion process in the main chamber.

G0700703 天然ガスエンジンを用いたドーム形フランジ付き点火プラグの点火特性

CO_2 in exhaust gas from automobile is brought about global warming. In a spark ignition engine, lean combustion brings high thermal efficiency. It becomes difficult to ignite successfully on the other hand. There is a risk of shortening the longevity of the igniter though in it, there is a method of increasing the spark energy as measures. In the study, we proposed the spark plug that installed the flange of dome shaped as the risk measures. This spark plug has aimed at the collection of the shock wave energy generated at the spark discharge and the control of the flow around the spark discharge path. We made dome flanged spark plugs of 3 types. The effect of dome flanged spark plug on the ignition probability using a single cylinder natural gas engine was examined. As a result, it has been understood that the dome flanged spark plug with three holes was effective for the ignition characteristics for wide range of engine speed. (162 words)

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for In-Cylinder Equivalence Ratio Measurements in Laser-Ignited Natural Gas Engines

In this contribution we present the first demonstration of simultaneous use of laser sparks for engine ignition and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) measurements of in-cylinder equivalence ratios. A 1064 nm neodynium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser beam is used with an optical spark plug to ignite a single cylinder natural gas engine. The optical emission from the combustion initiating laser spark is collected through the optical spark plug and cycle-by-cycle spectra are analyzed for H(alpha)(656 nm), O(777 nm), and N(742 nm, 744 nm, and 746 nm) neutral atomic lines. The line area ratios of H(alpha)/O(777), H(alpha)/N(746), and H(alpha)/N(tot) (where N(tot) is the sum of areas of the aforementioned N lines) are correlated with equivalence ratios measured by a wide band universal exhaust gas oxygen (UEGO) sensor. Experiments are performed for input laser energy levels of 21 mJ and 26 mJ, compression ratios of 9 and 11, and equivalence ratios between 0.6 and 0.95. The results show a linear correlation (R(2) > 0.99) of line intensity ratio with equivalence ratio, thereby suggesting an engine diagnostic method for cylinder resolved equivalence ratio measurements.

Development of Dual Fuel Single Cylinder Natural Gas Engine an Analysis and Experimental Investigation for Performance and Emission

The present study reports the experimental investigations carried and upgradation of 395 cc air cooled engine to dual fuel (CNG/Gasoline) application. The original 395 cc direct injection naturally aspirated, air cooled diesel engine was first converted to run on Gasoline by addition of electronic ignition system and reduction in compression ratio to suit both gasoline and CNG application. CFX software has been employed to calculate and improve the cooling capacity of engine with the use of CNG. Materials of major engine components were reviewed to suit CNG application. The engine was subsequently tuned with dual multi-mapped ignition timing for bi-fuel stoichiometric operation on engine dynamometer and then fitted on a 3-Wheeler vehicle. The vehicle was optimized on a chassis dynamometer to meet the proposed Bharat Stage-III norms. The engine has passed current BS-II emission norms with 48% margin in CO emission and 76% margin in NMHC (Non-Methane Hydrocarbons) and Extensive trials were conducted on engine and vehicle to optimize with CNG kit and minimum loaded three way cat-con to finally to met proposed BS-III norms.

Development of Dual Fuel Single Cylinder Natural Gas Engine an Analysis and Experimental Investigation for Performance and Emission

Development of Dual Fuel Single Cylinder Natural Gas Engine an Analysis and Experimental Investigation for Performance and Emission