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Extending the Lean Stability Limits of Gasoline Using a Microwave-Assisted Spark Plug
Technical Paper
2011-01-0663
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
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English
Abstract
The extension of the lean stability limits of gasoline-air
mixtures using a microwave-assisted spark plug has been
investigated. Experiments are conducted on a 1200 RPM
single-cylinder Waukesha Cooperative Fuel Research (CFR) engine at
two compression ratios: 7:1 and 9:1; and four different levels of
microwave energy input per cycle (prior to accounting for
transmission losses): 0 mJ (spark only), 130 mJ, 900 mJ, and 1640
mJ. For various microwave energy inputs, the effects upon stability
limits are explored by gradually moving from stoichiometric
conditions to increasingly lean mixtures. The coefficient of
variation (COVIMEP) of the indicated mean effective
pressure (IMEP) is used as an indication of the stability
limits.
Specific characteristics of microwave-assisted ignition are
identified. Microwave enhancement extends stability limits into
increasingly lean regions, but slow and partial burning at the
leanest mixtures curb efficiency gains. Microwave assistance
decreases occurrence of misfire and partial-burn by increasing
early heat release in very lean mixtures, but engine operation is
unaffected at closer-to-stoichiometric conditions. Increasing
microwave energy input can improve combustion characteristics as
compared to low-energy microwave enhancement, but a point is
observed beyond which increased microwave energy input provides
limited benefits. Microwave-enhanced ignition technology could
provide an effective means of enabling increasingly lean combustion
in spark-ignited engines, allowing reduced throttling losses and
improved efficiency. Unfortunately, in the slow-burning CFR engine
setup, reduction in emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) through
lean burn is not sufficient for compliance with current
regulations, making exhaust aftertreatment a necessity.
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Authors
Citation
DeFilippo, A., Saxena, S., Rapp, V., Dibble, R. et al., "Extending the Lean Stability Limits of Gasoline Using a Microwave-Assisted Spark Plug," SAE Technical Paper 2011-01-0663, 2011, https://doi.org/10.4271/2011-01-0663.Also In
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