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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Natural Gas Engine Performance Ignited by a Passively Q-Switched Microlaser

Conference ·

A robust end pumped, passively Q-switched, air-cooled, microlaser was designed and prototyped to yield a 1064 nm pulsed laser output of 21 mJ/P with a pulse width of 4.2 ns FWHM. This microlaser was coupled to a standard laser plug carrying a sapphire lens with 13 mm back focal length. This assembly was tested in a natural gas fueled single-cylinder engine, and in one cylinder of a turbocharged 6-cylinder engine. Single cylinder engine tests showed extension of the lean ignition limit which enabled an efficiency improvement of 0.2% while meeting emission regulations. The tests conducted in the 6-cylinder engine showed highly improved ignition stability.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) - Advanced Manufacturing Office
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1335938
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English