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Title: Heavy Duty Natural Gas Single Cylinder Research Engine Installation, Commissioning, and Baseline Testing

Journal Article · · Energy and Power Engineering
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States)
  2. Cummins Inc., Columbus, IN (United States)
  3. Woodward Inc., Loveland, CO (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

Natural Gas (NG) Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) are a promising alternative to diesel engines for on-road heavy-duty applications to reduce greenhouse gas and harmful pollutant emissions. NG engines have not been widely adopted due to the lower thermal efficiency compared with diesel engine counterparts. To develop the base knowledge required to reach the desired efficiency, a Single Cylinder Engine (SCE) is the most effective platform to acquire reliable and repeatable data. A SCE test cell was developed using a Cummins 15-liter six-cylinder heavy-duty engine block modified to fire one cylinder (2.5-liter displacement). A Woodward Large Engine Control Module (LECM) is integrated to permit implementation of real-time advanced combustion control. Intake and exhaust characteristics, fuel composition, and exhaust gas recirculated substitution rate (EGR) are fully adjustable. A high-speed data acquisition system acquires in-cylinder, intake, and exhaust pressure for combustion analysis. The baseline testing shows reliable and consistent results for engine thermal efficiency, indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP), and coefficient of variance of the IMEP over a wide range of operating conditions while achieving effective control of all engine control and operation variables. This test cell will be used to conduct a research program to develop new and innovative control algorithms and CFD optimized combustion chamber designs, allowing ultra-high efficiency and low emissions for NG ICE heavy-duty on-road applications.

Research Organization:
Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Grant/Contract Number:
EE0008331
OSTI ID:
1878354
Journal Information:
Energy and Power Engineering, Vol. 14, Issue 06; ISSN 1949-243X
Publisher:
Scientific Research Publishing Inc. (SCIRP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (6)

Limitations of Natural Gas Lean Burn Spark Ignition Engines Derived From Compression Ignition Engines journal June 2020
The outlook for fuels for internal combustion engines journal March 2014
An Experimental Investigation of Early Flame Development in an Optical Spark Ignition Engine Fueled With Natural Gas journal May 2018
Extending Substitution Limits of a Diesel–Natural Gas Dual Fuel Engine journal December 2017
Improving Efficiency, Extending the Maximum Load Limit and Characterizing the Control-Related Problems Associated With Higher Loads in a 6-Cylinder Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Engine conference January 2011
Improving Heavy Duty Natural Gas Engine Efficiency: A Systematic Approach to Application of Dedicated EGR conference April 2020

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03 NATURAL GAS
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
42 ENGINEERING
Single Cylinder Engine
Heat Release
Heavy Duty
Natural Gas
End Gas Auto-Ignition