Knock Phenomenon Investigation in SI Engine Fuelled with Ammonia-Hydrogen Mixture

2025-01-0532

To be published on 11/25/2025

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Ammonia has emerged as a compelling carbon-free alternative fuel for applications in sectors such as power generation and heavy-duty transportation, where thermal energy conversion plays a dominant role. Its potential lies in its high hydrogen content, carbon-free combustion, and the feasibility of large-scale storage and transport. However, ammonia’s combustion behavior poses significant challenges due to its low reactivity, characterized by a low laminar burning velocity, high autoignition temperature, and narrow flammability range. These properties hinder stable and efficient operation in conventional internal combustion engines. A common strategy to mitigate these limitations involves blending ammonia with hydrogen—often generated via on-board catalytic cracking of ammonia—which improves ignition and flame speed. Despite these benefits, the presence of hydrogen increases the risk of knock, particularly in high-compression-ratio engines designed to improve thermal efficiency. This research focuses on evaluating knock phenomena associated with ammonia-hydrogen fuel blends in spark-ignition ICEs. First, a Methane Number was obtained for all ammonia-hydrogen blends to quantify the impact of hydrogen on ammonia knock reactivity under conditions close to those of the Motor Octane Number. The second part of this study explores the impact of knock for a fuel mixture consisting of 90% ammonia and 10% hydrogen by volume under varying engine parameters such as combustion chamber design and compression ratio on knock onset and severity. Experiments were conducted at engine speeds of 1000, 1500, and 2000 RPM, across intake pressures ranging from 1.0 to 1.8 bar (in 0.2 bar increments), equivalence ratios between 0.9 and 1.1, and intake temperatures of 60, 65, and 85°C. This study aims to identify the key parameters influencing knock intensity, onset, and distribution, as well as overall combustion properties.
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10
Citation
Hurault, F., Brequigny, P., Foucher, F., and Rousselle, C., "Knock Phenomenon Investigation in SI Engine Fuelled with Ammonia-Hydrogen Mixture," SAE Technical Paper 2025-01-0532, 2025, .
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Published
To be published on Nov 25, 2025
Product Code
2025-01-0532
Content Type
Technical Paper
Language
English