Development of a medium-duty stoichiometric diesel micro-pilot natural gas engine

Bonfochi Vinhaes, Vinicius; Yang, Xuebin; McTaggart-Cowan, Gordon; Munshi, Sandeep; Shahbakhti, Mahdi; Naber, Jeffrey D.

doi:10.1177/14680874221087954

Development of a medium-duty stoichiometric diesel micro-pilot natural gas engine

Journal Article · 03 April 2022 · International Journal of Engine Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1177/14680874221087954· OSTI ID:1980950

^[1]; Yang, Xuebin ^[1]; McTaggart-Cowan, Gordon ^[2]; Munshi, Sandeep ^[3]; Shahbakhti, Mahdi ^[4]; Naber, Jeffrey D. ^[1]

Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
Westport Fuel Systems Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada
University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

Fueling a compression-ignition engine with premixed natural gas offers the potential to combine a clean-burning, low-carbon fuel with a high compression ratio, high-efficiency engine. This work describes the development of a multi-cylinder 6.7 L diesel engine converted to run stoichiometric diesel micro-pilot/ natural gas premix combustion with a maximum diesel contribution target of 5% of the total fuel energy and a three-way catalyst aftertreatment system. Results are given by comparing the stoichiometric combustion to the diesel baseline operation, showing combustion characteristics differences, including the rapid two stage heat release. A high load output of 23 bar brake mean effective pressure was obtained with diesel-like brake thermal efficiency of 41%. This operating condition enabled a brake specific CO₂emissions reduction of up to 25% when compared to diesel. It was observed that the low load output is limited by combustion stability when operated at stoichiometric condition. The three-way catalyst is observed to run at peak efficiency with an equivalence ratio of 1.01. Injector fouling was observed through the inspection of the nozzle and its internal parts, indicating carbon build-up similar to that seen in injector coking mechanisms. A comparison of the developed engine to other engine technologies is given, showing that the diesel micro-pilot natural gas engine performance is in good standing among other diesel and gas engines in the market.

Research Organization:: Michigan Technological Univ., Houghton, MI (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

DOE Contract Number:: EE0007331

OSTI ID:: 1980950

Journal Information:: International Journal of Engine Research, Vol. 24, Issue 4; ISSN 1468-0874

Publisher:: SAGE

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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