This study offers an overview of the impact of lean burn technology in two-wheeler vehicles, specifically concentrating on enhancing the fuel economy and addressing the challenges associated with its adoption. Lean burn systems, characterized by a fuel-air mixture with a higher air content than stoichiometric ratio. The study focuses on technology which meets stringent emission standards while enabling the optimization of fuel efficiency.
The lean burn system employs strategies to optimize air-fuel ratio using electronic fuel injection, ignition timing control, and advanced engine control algorithms like - updated torque modulation control algorithm for drivability, lambda control algorithm for rich and lean switch and NOx modelling algorithm for LNT catalyst efficiency tracking. The challenges related to lean burn systems, includes issues related to combustion stability, nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, and their impact on drivability, is summarized in the study. Mitigation strategies, ranging from after-treatment systems to catalyst technologies, are discussed as means to address these challenges while preserving the benefits of lean burn operation.
Furthermore, this study sheds light on the Lean NOx Trap (LNT) catalyst which is a critical component in modern emission control systems, particularly in the context of lean burn engines. Designed to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, the Lean NOx Trap catalyst operates efficiently in oxygen-rich environments, such as those found in lean burn systems. It captures and stores NOx during fuel-lean conditions and subsequently releases and converts them to harmless nitrogen and oxygen when the engine switches to a fuel-rich state.
In conclusion, this study synthesizes the current knowledge on lean burn technology in two-wheelers, offering valuable insights for researchers, engineers, and industry stakeholders. By addressing technological advancements, challenges, and future directions, it aims to contribute to the ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of two-wheeled transportation systems.