Effects of Hydrogen Addition on Spark Knock Suppression under High Engine Speed and Boosted Conditions

The effect of hydrogen addition on spark knock suppression under high engine speed (4800 rpm) was investigated at the intake pressures of 96 kPa and 120 kPa. The experimental results showed that hydrogen addition has a slight effect on advancing the knock limit at 96 kPa, whereas a greater spark knock suppression effect can be achieved by increasing the intake pressure. To elucidate the influences and differences of hydrogen addition on the ignition process under low and high intake pressures, chemical kinetic analyses were performed using a two-zone combustion model. The calculation results showed that the reduction of heat release in the end gas resulting from the consumption of OH radicals by hydrogen can only be achieved at the initial stage of the ignition process. This leads to the smaller knock suppression effect at low intake pressures, where a remarkable heat release at this stage is absent. On the other hand, an increase in intake pressure results in a remarkable heat release at the initial stage of the ignition process due to a higher reaction rate with increased mass in the cylinder, despite the high engine speed with a shortened residence time of the end gas in the low temperature range. This, in turn, leads to the greater spark knock suppression effect with hydrogen addition.