Reduction of Cyclic Variations by Using Advanced Ignition Systems in a Lean-Burn Stationary Natural Gas Engine Operating at 10 Bar BMEP and 1800 rpm
- The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (Kuwait)
- Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (United States)
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Lemont, IL (United States)
In stationary natural gas engines, lean-burn combustion offers higher engine efficiencies with simultaneous compliance with emission regulations. A prominent problem that one encounters with lean operation is cyclic variations. Advanced ignition systems offer a potential solution as they suppress cylic variations in addition to extending the lean ignition limit. In this paper, the performance of three ignition systems – conventional spark ignition (SI), single point laser ignition (LI) and pre-chamber equipped laser ignition (PCLI) - in a single-cylinder natural gas engine is presented. First, a thorough discussion regarding the efficacy of several metrics, in addition to COV_IMEP, in representing combustion instability is presented. This is followed by a discussion about the performance of the three ignition systems at a single operational condition, i.e., same excess-air ratio (λ) and ignition timing (IT). Next, these metrics are compared at the most optimal operational points for each ignition system, i.e., at points where λ and IT are optimized to achieve highest efficiency. From these observations, it is noted that PCLI achieves highest increase in engine efficiency, Δη = 2.1% points, and outperforms the other two methods of ignition. In conclusion, a closer look reveals that the variation in Ignition Delay (COV_ID) was negligible, whereas that in combustion duration (COV_CD) was significantly lower by 2.2% points. However, the metrics COV_ID and COV_CD are not well correlated with COV_IMEP.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Advanced Manufacturing Office
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC02-06CH11357
- OSTI ID:
- 1493423
- Journal Information:
- SAE International Journal of Engines (Online), Vol. 12, Issue 1; ISSN 1946-3944
- Publisher:
- SAE InternationalCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Performance of a Laser Ignited Multicylinder Lean Burn Natural Gas Engine
EXTENDING LEAN AND EGR-DILUTE OPERATING LIMITS OF A MODERN GDI ENGINE USING A LOW-ENERGY TRANSIENT PLASMA IGNITION SYSTEM