Effects of combustion chamber shape and spark location on exhaust nitric oxide and hydrocarbon emissions

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1974

OSTI ID:7267128

Wentworth, J T

The effects of combustion chamber shape and spark location on exhaust nitric oxide and hydrocarbon emissions from a single cylinder, four-stroke, reciprocating spark ignition engine were investigated, using a total of 21 spark locations and three combustion chamber configurations. The chamber shapes included a modified wedge, a disc, and a modified hemisphere. The engine was operated at constant speed and airflow, with optimum spark timing and peak NO air-fuel ratio. Variations of NO concentration with spark location ranged from 9 percent with the hemispherical chamber to 35 percent with the disc chamber, with the latter producing an NO concentration lower than either the production or hemispherical chambers. Variations of HC with spark location ranged from 27 percent with the hemispherical chamber to 81 percent with the disc chamber. Minimum HC concentrations for the three chambers were the same. A single spark location was found that produced minimum or near minimum values of both NO and HC concentrations with the production chamber and the disc chamber; no satisfactory compromise location was found in the hemispherical chamber. Prediction of how spark location and chamber shape will affect exhaust emissions in a new combustion chamber is limited by insufficient knowledge.

• OSTI ID: 7267128
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
CHALCOGENIDES
COMBUSTION CHAMBERS
EMISSION
ENGINES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
HYDROCARBONS
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SPARK IGNITION ENGINES