The effect of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on combustion stability, engine performance and exhaust emissions in a gasoline engine

The EGR system has been widely used to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emission, to improve fuel economy and suppress knock by using the characteristics of charge dilution. However, as the EGR rate at a given engine operating condition increases, the combustion instability increases. The combustion instability increases cyclic variations resulting in the deterioration of engine performance and emissions. Therefore, the optimum EGR rate should be carefully determined in order to obtain the better engine performance and emissions. An experimental study has been performed to investigate the effects of EGR on combustion stability, engine performance, NOx and the other exhaust emissions from 1. 5 liter gasoline engine. Operating conditions are selected from the test result of the high speed and high acceleration region of SFTP mode which generates more NOx and needs higher engine speed compared to FTP-75 (Federal Test Procedure) mode. Engine power, fuel consumption and exhaust emissions are measured with various EGR rate. Combustion stability is analyzed by examining the variation of indicated mean effective pressure (COV_imep) and the timings of maximum pressure (P_max) location using pressure sensor. Engine performance is analyzed by investigating engine power and maximum cylinder pressure and brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC).