Numerical Analysis of Combustion Stability and Efficiency Improvement in Ammonia Engine Utilizing Passive Turbulent Jet Ignition (PTJI)

2025-32-0049

11/03/2025

Authors
Abstract
Content
Ammonia, a carbon-neutral fuel, is a promising candidate for next-generation engine applications. However, its low flame speed (~7cm/s) and prolonged ignition delay (~10ms at stoichiometric conditions) impose significant challenges in achieving stable and efficient combustion across varying operating conditions. At high-speeds, incomplete combustion due to limited residence time reduces efficiency, while at low-speeds, ignition instability and low combustion temperatures hinder reliable operation. To address these challenges, the Passive Turbulent Jet Ignition (PTJI) system has been proposed to enhance turbulence-driven mixing and improve ignition characteristics. This study focuses on optimizing a PTJI system for ammonia-fueled engines using a three-phase methodology. First, the 800cc 2-cylinder gasoline engine was modified for ammonia using numerical analysis, and a baseline analysis of the combustion characteristics was conducted. Next, a turbulent intensity study within the PTJI system was performed to determine an optimal configuration for stable combustion. Results show that PTJI increased turbulent intensity by up to 120% compared to conventional spark ignition, enhancing flame propagation and reducing ignition delay. Finally, PTJI effectiveness was evaluated under both high-speed and low-speed conditions. At 2000rpm, PTJI increased combustion temperature by ~150K, improving ignition stability and reducing cycle-to-cycle variations, thereby improving the convergence of the analysis. At 3000rpm, PTJI accelerated flame propagation speed by ~50%, facilitating complete fuel-air mixture combustion and enhancing thermal efficiency. In conclusion, this research demonstrates that PTJI is a viable solution for overcoming the inherent limitations of ammonia combustion. By increasing turbulence intensity and improving flame propagation, PTJI enables more stable and efficient ammonia engine operation, offering a promising approach for future carbon-neutral powertrains.
Meta TagsDetails
DOI
https://doi.org/10.4271/2025-32-0049
Pages
15
Citation
Ju, K., Kang, H., and Kim, J., "Numerical Analysis of Combustion Stability and Efficiency Improvement in Ammonia Engine Utilizing Passive Turbulent Jet Ignition (PTJI)," SAE Technical Paper 2025-32-0049, 2025, https://doi.org/10.4271/2025-32-0049.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Nov 03
Product Code
2025-32-0049
Content Type
Technical Paper
Language
English