Characterization of flame front propagation during early and late combustion for methane-hydrogen fueling of an optically accessible SI engine

In recent years, hybrid and fully electric vehicles have received significant consideration since they represent an alternative sustainable transport to the conventional fossil-fuel powered vehicles. However, a worldwide implementation of this alternative propulsion can induce large and undesirable peak demands in distributed power systems. In this context, natural gas spark ignition engines are a promising form of technology to supply part of the energy demand. The main limitations related to low laminar flame propagation speed and poor lean-burn capabilities of natural gas can be overcome by using hydrogen as additional fuel. In this paper, a comparison was carried out between methane and different CH₄/H₂ mixtures. Specifically, low levels of hydrogen addition were used (5%, 10%, 20% volumetric basis) in stoichiometric and lean burn conditions. The measurements were carried out in an optically accessible single-cylinder port fuel injection spark ignition engine. Optical measurements were performed to analyze the combustion process with high spatial and temporal resolution. In particular, optical techniques based on 2D-digital imaging with two different combustion chamber views were used. Macroscopic (global) and microscopic (local) post-processing tools were implemented to provide a detailed analysis of the flame front propagation process. Moreover, an in-depth analysis was performed to study the flame penetration in the piston top-land crevice. Exhaust gas emissions were also characterized and linked with thermodynamic and optical data. In order to evaluate the combustion process in similar fluid-dynamic conditions, all measurements were performed under steady-state conditions at fixed engine speed, load and spark advance. All the results highlight fast combustion promotion due to the hydrogen addition. In addition, hydrogen reduces the preferential propagation of the flame in a certain direction and increases the flame front wrinkling. Flame propagation in the top-land crevice region was measured for methane and its blends with hydrogen, which represents an original contribution to the literature. An inverse trend was seen between flame penetration in the crevice and unburned hydrocarbon emissions. Lastly, tests in lean conditions demonstrate the potential to decrease nitrogen oxides emissions when methane and methane-hydrogen blends are used.