Effect of Fuel Properties on the Combustion Process and NO Emission in a Spark Ignition Engine

An experimental study was made to assess and to identify the role of the properties of various kinds of liquid fuels in the combustion processes and the exhaust emission of nitric oxide in a spark ignition engine. Attention was focused primarily on the chemical aspects of the fuel properties while the influence of physical parameter was kept minimized. The liquid fuels were vaporized and mixed well with fresh air prior to the spark discharge and subsequent flame propagation inside the combustion chamber. The physical state of the mixture charged inside the combustion chamber was observed by using a laser light scattering technique. The measurements were done of the cylinder pressure, the rate of heat release, the ignition delay, the combustion duration, the brake thermal efficiency and the exhaust NO emission. The influence of the fuel properties was also assessed through theoretical analysis based on the mathematical model to predict the thermal efficiency and NO formation.