Influence of hydrogen peroxide emulsification with gasoline on the emissions and performance in an MPFI engine

Spark ignition (SI) engines have been a major contributor from the transportation sector towards the increased emissions to the environment. Modifications to the SI engine like structural modifications, pre, and post-combustion treatments have been investigated in the literature. The use of oxygenated additives to gasoline fuel has been major research interest in curbing the emissions without any significant loss in engine performance. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) has not been investigated as an additive in SI engines although its effect is demonstrated for compression ignition (CI) engines. This paper aims to address this gap by ascertaining the influence of H₂O₂ concentration on SI engine emissions and performance. H₂O₂ is varied from 0 to 1.5% and the engine speed varied from 1500 to 3000 rpm by operating at a constant load. A total of 16 trials (with three replicates) is carried out. The output responses are brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), emissions of CO, CO₂, HC, and NOx. Artificial neural networks are adopted to ascertain the relation between the inputs and the output responses. Emulsifying gasoline with 1.5% H₂O₂ resulted in an average reduction of CO and HC emissions by 21.1% and 28.6% respectively with an overall average of 25.3% of reduction in the NOx. The average BTE at all engine speeds increases from 21.6% for G0 to 23.8% for G1.5 and an overall average of 10.5% reduction in BSFC is obtained. The study shows that H₂O₂ can be employed as an emulsifier to gasoline fuel, however, more rigorous studies are required to ascertain its impact, volatility, and storage.     

Effect of hydrogen addition on combustion and emissions performance of a spark ignition gasoline engine at lean conditions

Hydrogen has many excellent combustion properties that can be used for improving combustion and emissions performance of gasoline-fueled spark ignition (SI) engines. In this paper, an experimental study was carried out on a four-cylinder 1.6 L engine to explore the effect of hydrogen addition on enhancing the engine lean operating performance. The engine was modified to realize hydrogen port injection by installing four hydrogen injectors in the intake manifolds. The injection timings and durations of hydrogen and gasoline were governed by a self-developed electronic control unit (DECU) according to the commands from a calibration computer. The engine was run at 1400 rpm, a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) of 61.5 kPa and various excess air ratios. Two hydrogen volume fractions in the total intake of 3% and 6% were applied to check the effect of hydrogen addition fraction on engine combustion. The test results showed that brake thermal efficiency was improved and kept roughly constant in a wide range of excess air ratio after hydrogen addition, the maximum brake thermal efficiency was increased from 26.37% of the original engine to 31.56% of the engine with a 6% hydrogen blending level. However, brake mean effective pressure (Bmep) was decreased by hydrogen addition at stoichiometric conditions, but when the engine was further leaned out Bmep increased with the increase of hydrogen addition fraction. The flame development and propagation durations, cyclic variation, HC and CO₂ emissions were reduced with hydrogen addition. When excess air ratio was approaching stoichiometric conditions, CO emission tended to increase with the addition of hydrogen. However, when the engine was gradually leaned out, CO emission from the hydrogen-enriched engine was lower than the original one. NO_x emissions increased with the increase of hydrogen addition due to the raised cylinder temperature.     

Experimental and numerical investigation of effects of CNG and gasoline fuels on engine performance and emissions in a dual sequential spark ignition engine

Compared to widening usage of CNG in commercial gasoline engines, insufficient but increasing number of studies have appeared in open literature during last decades while engine characteristics need to be quantified in exact numbers for each specific fuel converted engine. In this study, a dual sequential spark ignition engine (Honda L13A4 i-DSI) is tested separately either with gasoline or CNG at wide open throttle. This specific engine has unique features of dual sequential ignition with variable timing, asymmetrical combustion chamber, and diagonally positioned dual spark-plug. Thus, the engine led some important engine technologies of VTEC and VVT. Tests are performed by varying the engine speed from 1500 rpm to 4000 rpm with an increment of 500 rpm. The engine’s maximum torque speed of 2800 rpm is also tested. For gasoline and CNG fuels, engine performance (brake torque, brake power, brake specific fuel consumption, brake mean effective pressure), emissions (O₂, CO₂, CO, HC, NO_x, and lambda), and the exhaust gas temperature are evaluated. In addition, numerical engine analyses are performed by constructing a 1-D model for the entire test rig and the engine by using Ricardo-Wave software. In the 1-D engine model, same test parameters are analyzed, and same test outputs are calculated. Thus, the test and the 1-D engine model are employed to quantify the effects of gasoline and CNG fuels on the engine performance and emissions for a unique engine. In general, all test and model results show similar and close trends. Results for the tested commercial engine show that CNG operation decreases the brake torque (12.7%), the brake power (12.4%), the brake mean effective pressure (12.8%), the brake specific fuel consumption (16.5%), the CO₂ emission (12.1%), the CO emission (89.7%). The HC emission for CNG is much lower than gasoline. The O₂ emission for CNG is approximately 55.4% higher than gasoline. The NO_x emission for CNG at high speeds is higher than gasoline. The variation percentages are the averages of the considered speed range from 1500 rpm to 4000 rpm.     

Investigation of hydrogen addition to methanol-gasoline blends in an SI engine

In this study, effects of hydrogen-addition on the performance and emission characteristics of Methanol-Gasoline blends in a spark ignition (SI) engine were investigated. Experiments were conducted with a four-cylinder and four stroke spark ignition engine. Performance tests were performed via measuring brake thermal efficiency, brake specific fuel consumption, cylinder pressure and exhaust emissions (CO, CO₂, HC, NOx). These performance metrics were analyzed under three engine load conditions (no load, 50% and 100%) with a constant speed of 2000 rpm. Methanol was added to the gasoline up to 15% by volume (5%, 10% and 15%). Besides, hydrogen was added to methanol-gasoline mixtures up to 15% by volume (3%, 6%, 9% and 15%). Results of this study showed that methanol addition increases BSFC by 26% and decreases thermal efficiency by 10.5% compared to the gasoline. By adding hydrogen to the methanol - gasoline mixtures, the BSFC decreased by 4% and the thermal efficiency increased by 2% compared to the gasoline. Hydrogen addition to methanol – gasoline mixtures reduces exhaust emissions by about 16%, 75% and 15% of the mean average values of HC, CO and CO2 emissions, respectively. Lastly, ?t was concluded that hydrogen addition improves combustion process; CO and HC emissions reduce as a result of the leaning effect caused by the methanol addition; and CO2 and NOx emission increases because of the improved combustion.     

Hydrogen engine: research and development (R&D) programmes in Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi

Active research in the development of hydrogen-fuelled low-emission engines is being pursued at the Engines and Unconventional Fuels Laboratory of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), for a period of close to two decades. This paper highlights the significant pursuits and attainments of the research and development (R&D) activities carried out in IIT, Delhi on hydrogen-operated engines. Both spark ignition (SI) and compression ignition engine test rigs have been developed and instrumented for the use of hydrogen fuel. Several existing petroleum-fuelled engine configurations have been modified by taking care to observe that the converted system does not need substantial hardware modifications. Various fuel induction techniques have been experimentally evaluated keeping in view the temperamental combustion characteristic of this fuel. Curative and preventive steps have been adopted and suitable retrofits and subsystems have been installed at the appropriate locations to preclude the possibility of any undesirable combustion phenomena such as backfire, knocking and rapid rate of pressure rise. Performance, emission and combustion characteristics of the systems have been determined. It has been observed that an appropriately designed timed manifold injection system can overcome the problem of backfire in a hydrogen engine. NO_x emission level from a hydrogen-operated SI engine can be drastically reduced by way of lean engine operation.     

An experimental study on performance,emission and combustion parameters of hydrogen fueled spark ignition engine with the timed manifold injection system

In the present study, a single cylinder spark ignition (SI) engine is modified to operate with hydrogen gas with ECU (Electronic Controlled Unit) operated timely manifold injection system. Performance, emission and combustion parameters are studied at MBT (Maximum Brake Torque) spark timing with WOT (Wide Open Throttle) position. All trials are performed in the speed range of 1100 rpm–1800 rpm. Baseline observations are recorded with gasoline for comparison purpose. Results have shown that maximum brake power is reduced by 19.06% and peak brake thermal efficiency is increased by 3.16% in the case of hydrogen operation. Reduction in NO_x emission is observed for hydrogen at higher engine speed. The maximum net heat release rate is two times higher and the peak cylinder pressure is 1.36 times higher for hydrogen as compared to gasoline at the engine speed of 1400 rpm.     

Comparison between direct and indirect (prechamber) spark ignition in the case of a cogeneration natural gas engine,: part II: engine operating parameters and turbocharger characteristics

In the first paper (part I), prechamber ignition in cogeneration natural gas engines has been shown to significantly intensify and accelerate the combustion process, offering a further potential to reduce the exhaust gas emissions while keeping efficiency at a high level. This second part discusses the influence of the engine operating parameters (spark timing and load) and the turbocharger characteristics with the objective of evaluating the potential to reduce the exhaust gas emissions, particularly the CO emissions, below the Swiss limits (NO_X and CO emissions: 250 and 650 mg/m_N³, 5% O₂, respectively), without exhaust gas after treatment. The advantage of using an unscavenged prechamber is conditioned by a significant delay of the spark timing in order to generate substantial gas jets. This results in a large decrease in peak cylinder pressure and in an important reduction of NO_X, CO and THC emissions. Minimum emissions are achieved at a spark timing of about 8° CA_BTDC. In comparison with the direct ignition, the prechamber ignition yields approximately 40% and 55% less CO and THC emissions, respectively. However, this also leads to about 2%-point lower fuel conversion efficiency. The optimisation of the turbocharger results in a recovery of about 1%-point in fuel conversion efficiency, but a consequent change in the exhaust manifold gas dynamics attenuates the reduction in THC emissions. At the rated power output (150 kW), the prechamber ignition operation fulfils the Swiss requirements for exhaust gas emissions and still achieves a fuel conversion efficiency higher than 36.5%.     

Availability analysis of a coke oven gas fueled spark ignition engine

The current work investigates a coke oven gas fueled spark ignition (SI) engine from the perspective of the first and second laws in order to understand the energy conversion performance of fuels and achieve highly efficient utilization. A detailed energy and exergy analysis is applied to a quasi-dimensional two-zone spark ignition engine model which combines turbulence flame propagation speed model at 1500 rpm by changing gas fuel types, compression ratio, load and ignition timing. It was found that the irreversibility of methane is the maximum and that of syngas is the minimum among the three different fuels. The irreversibility in the combustion process of a coke oven gas fueled SI engine is reduced when the compression ratio or the throttle valve opening angle is increased and the ignition timing is delayed. Increasing the compression ratio and delaying the ignition timing can improve the first and second law efficiency and reduce the brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC). The power performance and fuel economy are good and the energy is also used effectively when the compression ratio is 11, the throttle angle is 90% and the ignition time is ?10° CA ATDC respectively.     

Influence of intake manifold design on in-cylinder flow and engine performances in a bus diesel engine converted to LPG gas fuelled, using CFD analyses and experimental investigations

Diesel engines, especially for trucks and buses, cause many economical and ecological problems. Diesel exhaust emissions are a major source of pollution in most urban centers around the world. Furthermore, the price of crude oil continues to increase rapidly. The use of alternative fuels (liquified petroleum gas, LPG and compressed natural gas, CNG) and the optimization of combustion present effective solutions. Improving combustion is directly related to improving the intake aerodynamic movements which is influenced by the inlet system, especially the intake manifold. In this paper we have studied the geometry effects of two intake manifolds on the in-cylinder flows by two methods, numerically and experimentally. These two manifolds are mounted on a fully instrumented, six-cylinder, 13.8 l displacement, heavy duty, IVECO engine, installed at the authors’ laboratory, which is used to power the urban bus diesel engines in Sfax. This engine was modified to bi-fuel spark ignition engine gasoline and gas fuelling. The 1st manifold presents an unspecified geometry whereas the 2nd presents an optimal filling geometry.A three-dimensional numerical modeling of the turbulent in-cylinder flow through the two manifolds was undertaken. The model is based on solving Navier-Stokes and energy equations in conjunction with the standard k-ε turbulence model, using the 3D CFD code FloWorks. This modeling made it possible to provide a fine knowledge of in-flow structures, in order to examine the adequate manifold. Experimental measurements are also carried out to validate this manifold by measuring the important engine performances. Brake power (BP), brake torque (BT) and brake thermal efficiency (BTE), are increased by 16%, 13.9%, and 12.5%, respectively, using optimal manifold. The brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) is reduced by 28%. Simulation and experiments results confirmed the benefits of the optimized manifold geometry on the in-cylinder flow and engine performances.     

Experimental and numerical investigation of a direct injection spark ignition hydrogen engine for heavy-duty applications

The H₂ internal combustion engine is gaining increasing interest especially for commercial vehicles. Regarding the optimization of the combustion process, results of experimental investigations on a H₂ heavy-duty single-cylinder engine in combination with numerical 3D-CFD investigations are presented. In addition to a Direct Injection (DI) Spark Ignited (SI) configuration, Port Fuel Injection (PFI) is explored to provide a reference with near homogeneous cylinder charge. The main objective is to assess a 3D-CFD-RANS framework based on ECFM and state-of-the art sub-models to describe the most important phenomena occurring in H₂ spark ignition engines and to support the experimental analysis. Experimental results show that the PFI configuration provides efficiency and emissions benefits at the expense of volumetric efficiency. The proposed CFD model demonstrates the ability to successfully simulate different engine operating conditions for both PFI and DI systems. In particular, it is shown that the charge stratification typical for DI systems is not beneficial for the studied configuration as it increases wall heat losses and NOx formation.     

Hydrogen fueled spark ignition engine with electronically controlled manifold injection: An experimental study

In this work, a single cylinder conventional spark ignition engine was converted to operate with hydrogen using the timed manifold fuel injection technique. A solenoid operated gas injector was used to inject hydrogen into the inlet manifold at the specified time. A dedicated electronic circuit developed for this work was used to control the injection timing and duration. The spark timing was set to minimum advance for best torque (MBT). The engine was operated at the wide-open throttle condition. For comparison of results, the same engine was also run on gasoline.The performance and emission characteristics with hydrogen and gasoline are compared. From the results, it is found that there is a reduction of about 20% in the peak power output of the engine when operating with hydrogen. The brake thermal efficiency with hydrogen is about 2% greater than that of gasoline. A lean limit equivalence ratio of about 0.3 could be attained with hydrogen as compared to 0.83 with gasoline. CO, CO₂ and HC emissions were negligible with hydrogen operation. However, for hydrogen operation, NO_x emission was four times higher than that of gasoline at full load power. The best ignition timing for hydrogen was much retarded when compared to gasoline. The effect of hydrogen injection pressure was also studied and no specific changes were observed. The effect of operating speed was also studied.     

Engine knock and combustion characteristics of a spark ignition engine operating with varying hydrogen and carbon monoxide proportions

Varying proportions of hydrogen and carbon monoxide (synthesis gas) have been investigated as a spark ignition (SI) engine fuel in this paper. It is important to understand how various synthesis gas compositions effect important SI combustion fundamentals, such as knock and burn duration, because in synthesis gas production applications, the compositions can vary significantly depending on the feedstock and production method.A single cylinder cooperative fuels research (CFR) engine was used to investigate the knock and combustion characteristics of three blends of synthesis gas (H₂/CO ratio); 1) 100/0, 2) 75/25, and 3) 50/50, by volume. These blends were tested at three compression ratios (6:1, 8:1, and 10:1), and three equivalence ratios (0.6, 0.7, and 0.8).It was revealed that the knock limited compression ratio (KLCR) of a H₂/CO mixture increases with increasing CO fraction, for a given spark timing. For a given equivalence ratio and spark timing, a 50%/50% H₂/CO mixture produced a KLCR of 8:1 compared to a 100% H₂ condition, which produced a KLCR of 6:1. The burn duration and ignition lag is also increased with increasing CO fraction. The results from this work are important for those considering using synthesis gas as a fuel in SI engines. It reveals that although CO is a slow burning fuel, higher CO fractions in synthesis gas can be beneficial, because of its increased resistance to knock, which gives it the potential of producing higher indicated efficiencies through the utilization of an engine with a higher compression ratio.     

Conversion of a commercial spark ignition engine to run on hydrogen: Performance comparison using hydrogen and gasoline

The modifications performed to convert the spark ignition gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine of a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 to run with hydrogen are described. The car is representative of small vehicles widely used for both city and interurban traffic. Main changes included the inlet manifold, gas injectors, oil radiator and the electronic management unit. Injection and ignition advance timing maps were developed for lean mixtures with values of the air to hydrogen equivalence ratio (λ) between 1.6 and 3. The established engine control parameters allowed the safe operation of the hydrogen-fueled engine (H₂ICE) free of knock, backfire and pre-ignition as well with reasonably low NO_x emissions. The H₂ICE reached best brake torque of 63 Nm at 3800 rpm and maximum brake power of 32 kW at 5000 rpm. In general, the brake thermal efficiency of the H₂ICE is greater than that of gasoline-fueled engine except for the H₂ICE working at very lean conditions (λ = 2.5) and high speeds (above 4000 rpm). A significant effect of the spark advance on the NO_x emissions has been found, specially for relatively rich mixtures (λ < 2). Small changes of spark advance with respect to the optimum value for maximum brake torque give rise to an increase of pollutant emissions. It has been estimated that the hydrogen-fueled Volkswagen Polo could reach a maximum speed of 140 km/h with the adapted engine. Moreover, there is enough reserve of power for the vehicle moving on typical urban routes and routes with slopes up to 10%.     

Comparison of performance of compact chamber spark‐ignition engine with conventional S.I. engine

This paper deals with the compact chamber engine in which a bowl‐like space in the piston or head of the cylinder is added to cause swirling of the air–fuel mixture. This causes a change in performance from the conventional spark ignition engine. In this work, the operating variables considered are the engine speed, equivalence ratio, inlet pressure and temperature and exhaust pressure. A computer program is specially devised to calculate performance at design and off design operation conditions. The compact chamber achieves an increase in volumetric efficiency of 5%. The brake efficiency is 28.5%, whereas for conventional SI engine is 23%, with an increase of 20%. The brake power for the compact chamber engine is 39 kW, whereas for the conventional engine is 35 kW, an increase of 10%. Hence, the reduction in the brake‐specific fuel consumption is about 20%. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Natural-gas fueled spark-ignition (SI) and compression-ignition (CI) engine performance and emissions

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that has been used and investigated extensively for use in spark-ignition (SI) and compression-ignition (CI) engines. Compared with conventional gasoline engines, SI engines using natural gas can run at higher compression ratios, thus producing higher thermal efficiencies but also increased nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions, while producing lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO). These engines also produce relatively less power than gasoline-fueled engines because of the convergence of one or more of three factors: a reduction in volumetric efficiency due to natural-gas injection in the intake manifold; the lower stoichiometric fuel/air ratio of natural gas compared to gasoline; and the lower equivalence ratio at which these engines may be run in order to reduce NO_x emissions. High NO_x emissions, especially at high loads, reduce with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). However, EGR rates above a maximum value result in misfire and erratic engine operation. Hydrogen gas addition increases this EGR threshold significantly. In addition, hydrogen increases the flame speed of the natural gas-hydrogen mixture. Power levels can be increased with supercharging or turbocharging and intercooling. Natural gas is used to power CI engines via the dual-fuel mode, where a high-cetane fuel is injected along with the natural gas in order to provide a source of ignition for the charge. Thermal efficiency levels compared with normal diesel-fueled CI-engine operation are generally maintained with dual-fuel operation, and smoke levels are reduced significantly. At the same time, lower NO_x and CO₂ emissions, as well as higher HC and CO emissions compared with normal CI-engine operation at low and intermediate loads are recorded. These trends are caused by the low charge temperature and increased ignition delay, resulting in low combustion temperatures. Another factor is insufficient penetration and distribution of the pilot fuel in the charge, resulting in a lack of ignition centers. EGR admission at low and intermediate loads increases combustion temperatures, lowering unburned HC and CO emissions. Larger pilot fuel quantities at these load levels and hydrogen gas addition can also help increase combustion efficiency. Power output is lower at certain conditions than diesel-fueled engines, for reasons similar to those affecting power output of SI engines. In both cases the power output can be maintained with direct injection. Overall, natural gas can be used in both engine types; however further refinement and optimization of engines and fuel-injection systems is needed.     

Performance evaluation of a constant speed IC engine on CNG,methane enriched biogas and biogas

This paper presents the performance results of a 5.9 kW stationary diesel engine which was converted into spark ignition mode and run on compressed natural gas (CNG), methane enriched biogas (Bio-CNG) and biogas produced from biomethanation of jatropha and pongamia oil seed cakes. The performance of the engine with 12.65 compression ratio was evaluated at 30°, 35° and 40° ignition advance of TDC. The maximum brake power produced by the engine was found at ignition advance of 35° TDC for all the tested fuels. In comparison to diesel as original fuel, the power deteriorations of the engine was observed to be 31.8%, 35.6% and 46.3% on compressed natural gas, methane enriched biogas and raw biogas, respectively, due to its conversion from CI to SI mode. The methane enriched biogas showed almost similar engine performance as compared to compressed natural gas in terms of brake power output, specific gas consumption and thermal efficiency.     

Combustion and emission characteristics of an Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol (ABE) spark ignition engine with hydrogen direct injection

Butanol could reduce emissions and alleviate the energy crisis as a bio-fuel used on engines, but the production cost problem limits the application of butanol. During the butanol production, ABE (Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol) is a critical intermediate product. Many studies researched the direct application of ABE on engines instead of butanol to solve the production cost problem of butanol. ABE has the defects of large ignition energy and vaporization heat. Hydrogen is a gaseous fuel with small ignition energy and high flame temperature. In this research, ABE port injection combines with hydrogen direct injection, forming a stratified state of the hydrogen-rich mixture around the spark plug. The engine speed is 1500 rpm, and λ is 1. Five αH₂ (hydrogen blending fractions: 0, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%) and five spark timings (5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25° CA BTDC) are studied to observe the effects of them on combustion and emissions of the test engine. The results show that hydrogen addition increases the maximum cylinder pressure and maximum heat release rate, increases the maximum cylinder temperature and IMEP, but the exhaust temperature decreases. The flame development period and flame propagation period shorten after adding hydrogen. Hydrogen addition improves HC and CO emissions but increases NO_x emissions. Particle emissions decrease distinctly after hydrogen addition. Hydrogen changes the combustion properties of ABE and improves the test engine's power and emissions. The combustion in the cylinder becomes better with the increase of αH₂, but a further increase in αH₂ beyond 5% brings minor improvements on combustion.     

Diethyl ether as an ignition improver for biogas homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) operation - An experimental investigation

This paper deals with experimental investigations of a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine using biogas as a primary fuel and diethyl ether (DEE) as an ignition improver. The biogas is inducted and DEE is injected into a single-cylinder engine. For each load condition, best brake thermal efficiency DEE flow rate is determined. The results obtained in this study are also compared with those of the available biogas-diesel dual-fuel and biogas spark ignition (SI) modes. From the results, it is found that biogas-DEE HCCI mode shows wider operating load range and higher brake thermal efficiency (BTE) at all loads as compared to those of biogas-diesel dual-fuel and biogas SI modes. In HCCI mode, at 4.52 bar BMEP, as compared to dual-fuel and SI modes, BTE shows an improvement of about 3.48 and 9.21% respectively. Also, nitric oxide (NO) and smoke emissions are extremely low, and carbon monoxide (CO) emission is below 0.4% by volume at best brake thermal efficiency points. Also, in general, in HCCI mode, hydrocarbon (HC) emissions are lower than that of biogas SI mode. Therefore, it is beneficial to use biogas-DEE HCCI mode while using biogas in internal combustion engines.     

Idle characteristics of a hydrogen fueled SI engine

This paper investigates the effect of the equivalence ratio Φ and ignition advance angle θ_i on idle characteristics of a turbocharged hydrogen fueled SI engine. The experimental data was conducted under various operating conditions including different Φ and θ_i. It is found that, the ignition advance angle at MBT point decreases gradually with the equivalence ratio increasing from 0.4 to 0.9. Indicated thermal efficiency decreases as Φ increases. Emissions of NOx increase as Φ increases. When Φ is kept constant, the stated emissions increase as θ_i increases. During idle conditions of a hydrogen fueled engine, a lean mixture with an Φ less than 0.4 is suitable, and the θ_i should be increased appropriately. The maximum cylinder pressure rises with an increase of Φ and θ_i. The trend of the maximum rate of pressure rise is similar at different Φ. Only under the conditions of Φ = 0.4 and θ_i < 10 °CA, the maximum pressure rise rate remains almost unchanged.     

Comparative engine performance and emission analysis of CNG and gasoline in a retrofitted car engine

A comparative analysis is being performed of the engine performance and exhaust emission on a gasoline and compressed natural gas (CNG) fueled retrofitted spark ignition car engine. A new 1.6 L, 4-cylinder petrol engine was converted to the computer incorporated bi-fuel system which operated with either gasoline or CNG using an electronically controlled solenoid actuated valve mechanism. The engine brake power, brake specific fuel consumption, brake thermal efficiency, exhaust gas temperature and exhaust emissions (unburnt hydrocarbon, carbon mono-oxide, oxygen and carbon dioxides) were measured over a range of speed variations at 50% and 80% throttle positions through a computer based data acquisition and control system. Comparative analysis of the experimental results showed 19.25% and 10.86% reduction in brake power and 15.96% and 14.68% reduction in brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) at 50% and 80% throttle positions respectively while the engine was fueled with CNG compared to that with the gasoline. Whereas, the retrofitted engine produced 1.6% higher brake thermal efficiency and 24.21% higher exhaust gas temperature at 80% throttle had produced an average of 40.84% higher NO_x emission over the speed range of 1500–5500 rpm at 80% throttle. Other emission contents (unburnt HC, CO, O₂ and CO₂) were significantly lower than those of the gasoline emissions.