Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Development of fast-burn combustion with elevated coolant temperatures for natural gas engines. Final report, May 1985-May 1990

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6153397
The overall objective of the work was to improve the state of the art in the gas fired spark ignited engine for use in a cogeneration system. Four characteristics were enhanced for cogeneration, namely, Low Pressure Gas Induction, Improved Shaft Thermal Efficiency, Low NOx Emissions, and Increased Jacket Coolant Temperature. Using Taguchi methods and statistical design of experiment methodologies, an engine design evolved that exhibited: The ability to run satisfactorily on supply gas pressure as low as 1.5 psig (goal: 1 psig); A brake specific fuel consumption as low as 6950 Btu/hp-hr (36.6% thermal efficiency) at 2 gm/hp-hr NOx (goal: 7000 acceptable, 6800 excellent with NOx no more than 2 gm/hp-hr); A jacket water coolant system (with oil cooler on the same circuit) temperature of 225 F (goal); and The ability to burn gas with Methane Number as low as 67 (goal).
Research Organization:
Caterpillar, Inc., Peoria, IL (USA)
OSTI ID:
6153397
Report Number(s):
PB-91-111682/XAB; CNN: GRI-5084-243-1008
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English