Effect of Gas Mixture Composition on the Parameters of an Internal Combustion Engine

This paper deals with the use of the internal combustion piston engine, which is a drive unit for micro-cogeneration units. The introduction is a brief statement of the nature of gas mixture compositions that are useful for the purposes of combustion engines, together with the basic physical and chemical properties relevant to the burning of this gas mixture. Specifically, we will discuss low-energy gases (syngases) and mixtures of natural gas with hydrogen. The second section describes the conversion of the Lombardini LGW 702 combustion engine that is necessary for these types of combustion gases. Before the experimental measurements, a simulation in the Lotus Engine simulation program was carried out to make a preliminary assessment of the impact on the performance of an internal combustion engine. The last section of the paper presents the experimental results of partial measurements of the performance and emission parameters of an internal combustion engine powered by alternative fuels

THE EFFECT OF ADDING HYDROGEN ON THE PERFORMANCE AND THE CYCLIC VARIABILITY OF A SPARK IGNITION ENGINE POWERED BY NATURAL GAS

This paper deals with the influence of blending hydrogen (from 0 to 50% vol.) on the parameters and the cyclic variability of a Lombardini LGW702 combustion engine powered by natural gas. The experimental measurements were carried out at various air excess ratios and at various angles of spark advance, at an operating speed of 1500 min−1. An analysis of the combustion pressure showed that as the proportion of hydrogen in the mixture increases, the maximum pressure value also increases. However, at the same time the cyclic variability decreases. Both the ignition-delay period and the period of combustion of the mixture become shorter, which requires optimization of the spark advance angle for various proportions of hydrogen in the fuel. The increasing proportion of hydrogen extends the flammability limit to the area of lean-burn mixtures and, at the same time, the coefficient of cyclic variability of the mean indicated pressure decreases

THE EFFECT OF ADDING HYDROGEN ON THE PERFORMANCE AND THE CYCLIC VARIABILITY OF A SPARK IGNITION ENGINE POWERED BY NATURAL GAS

This paper deals with the influence of blending hydrogen (from 0 to 50% vol.) on the parameters and the cyclic variability of a Lombardini LGW702 combustion engine powered by natural gas. The experimental measurements were carried out at various air excess ratios and at various angles of spark advance, at an operating speed of 1500 min−1. An analysis of the combustion pressure showed that as the proportion of hydrogen in the mixture increases, the maximum pressure value also increases. However, at the same time the cyclic variability decreases. Both the ignition-delay period and the period of combustion of the mixture become shorter, which requires optimization of the spark advance angle for various proportions of hydrogen in the fuel. The increasing proportion of hydrogen extends the flammability limit to the area of lean-burn mixtures and, at the same time, the coefficient of cyclic variability of the mean indicated pressure decreases

Medium-Energy Synthesis Gases from Waste as an Energy Source for an Internal Combustion Engine

The aim of the presented article is to analyse the influence of synthesis gas composition on the power, economic, and internal parameters of an atmospheric two-cylinder spark-ignition internal combustion engine (displacement of 686 cm3) designed for a micro-cogeneration unit. Synthesis gases produced mainly from waste contain combustible components as their basic material (methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide), as well as inert gases (carbon dioxide and nitrogen). A total of twelve synthesis gases were analysed that fall into the category of medium-energy gases with lower heating value in the range from 8 to 12 MJ/kg. All of the resulting parameters from the operation of the combustion engine powered by synthesis gases were compared with the reference fuel methane. The results show a decrease in the performance parameters for all operating loads and an increase in hourly fuel consumption. Specifically, for the operating speed of the micro-cogeneration unit (1500 L/min), the decrease in power parameters was in the range of 7.1–23.5%; however, the increase in hourly fuel consumption was higher by 270% to 420%. The decrease in effective efficiency ranged from 0.4 to 4.6%, which in percentage terms represented a decrease from 1.3% to 14.5%. The process of fuel combustion was most strongly influenced by the proportion of hydrogen and inert gases in the mixture. It can be concluded that setting up the synthesis gas production in the waste gasification process in order to achieve optimum performance and economic parameters of the combustion engine for a micro cogeneration unit has an influential role and is of crucial importance

PRELIMINARY STUDY ON COMBUSTION AND OVERALL PARAMETERS OF SYNGAS FUEL MIXTURES FOR SPARK IGNITION COMBUSTION ENGINE

This paper presents a numerical study on a group of alternative gaseous fuels – syngases, and their use in the spark-ignition internal combustion engine Lombardini LGW 702. These syngas fuel mixtures consist mainly of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, together with inert gases. An understanding of the impact of the syngas composition on the nature of the combustion process is essential for the improvement of the thermal efficiency of syngas-fuelled engines. The paper focuses on six different syngas mixtures with natural gas as a reference. The introduction of the paper goes through some recent trends in the field of the alternative gaseous fuels, followed by a discussion of the objectives of our work, together with the selection of mixtures. Important part of the paper is dedicated to the experimental and above all to the numerical methods. Two different simulation models are showcased: the single-cylinder ‘closed-volume’ combustion analysis model and the full-scale LGW 702 model; all prepared and tuned with the GT-Power software. Steady-state engine measurements are followed by the combustion analysis, which is undertaken to obtain the burn rate profiles. The burn rate profiles, in the form of the Vibe formula, are than inserted into the in-house developed empirical combustion model based on Csallner-Woschni recalculation formulas. Its development is described in the scope as well. The full-scale LGW 702 simulation model, together with this empirical combustion model, is used for the evaluation of engine overall performance parameters, running on gaseous fuel mixtures. The analysis was carried out only under the conditions of engine on full load and the stoichiometric mixture

Influence of Selected Synthesis Gas Component on Internal Parameters of Combustion Engine

The paper deals with the influence of selected component of synthesis gas on internal parameters of combustion engine that is planned to be used in micro-cogeneration unit. The aim is to better understand the mechanism of combustion of carbon monoxide mixed with methane and as a follow-up to optimize the operation of the Lombardini LGW 702 engine on change of fuel composition. Generally, an increasing proportion of carbon monoxide in methane mixture leads to a decrease in engine performance (mean indicated pressure) and the hourly fuel consumption in each of the operating modes of the engine increases. With growing proportion of CO in mixture with CH4, the maximum pressure in the cylinder increases together with pressure rise rate up to approximately 10 % vol. of CH4. With further increasing proportion of CH4, there is a significant decrease of the before-mentioned engine parameters. The optimum ignition angle for pure methane, or carbon monoxide, does not change significantly and it is about 27° CA BTDC

Use of Methane-Free Synthesis Gases as Fuel in an Spark Ignition Combustion Engine

The presented article deals with the use of methane-free synthesis gases in a spark-ignition internal combustion engine. The authors analyse the influence of seven synthesis gases on integral as well as internal parameters of the engine and make comparisons with operation on methane. The main combustible components of the synthesis gas are hydrogen and carbon monoxide and the remainder are inert gases (nitrogen and carbon dioxide). At the operating speed of the combustion engine of 1500 rpm, at which the cogeneration unit operates, in comparison with methane a decrease in power parameters was recorded in the range from 19 to 35%. The increase in the hourly fuel consumption was 6 to 8 times higher. Depending on the gas composition, the optimum start of ignition angle at full load ranged from 17 to 26 °CA BTDC. In terms of analysis of internal parameters, the cyclic variability of the pressure in the engine cylinder, which characterizes the stability of its operation, was in synthesis gases operation mostly at a lower level (from 3.6% to 6.9%) than in methane operation (6.8%). Due to the presence of hydrogen, the main combustion time interval of all synthesis gases has been shorter compared to methane. The presented results serve to better understand the setting of the waste gasification process so that the highest possible energy and economic recovery in the cogeneration unit is obtained

Research and development of combustion engine for micro - cogeneration unit

The paper deals with research and development of original small-size internal combustion engine Lombardini LGW 702. This engine was optimised for application in micro-cogeneration unit (MCU), equipped with variable-speed generator and electronic converter. The electronically controlled combustion engine in MCU works in a regime depending on the load of the generator. It has the lowest possible number of revolutions and minimum possible fuel consumption. The generator combines directly with the crankshaft of the engine. To reach stable parameters of the network, the power electronics controls and processes the variable frequency of the generator. A combustion engine powered by natural gas can utilise also a blend of natural gas and hydrogen and other alternative fuels produced from renewable sources of energy, e.g. synthesis gases. A comparison of engine parameters was made, namely parameters of engines powered by the above-mentioned alternative fuels, such as syngas, coke-oven gas, landfill gas, sewer gas, Hythane and natural gas. A new three-phase variable-speed generator and converter for micro-cogeneration unit were developed. The rated electric power of MCU is 4 kW. The power overload is 80%, compared to rated power. In the case of natural gas, the best electric efficiency is 25%, the thermal efficiency is 65% and the total efficiency of MCU is more than 90%