Theoretical Reduction in NOx Emissions Using a Torch Ignition System Operating with Homogeneous Charge

The pollutants emitted by fuel burn in an internal combustion engine are harmful to humankind health. One of undesirable pollutants are the nitrogen oxides (NOx), witch in the presence of sunlight is responsible by photochemical mist, forming products that irritates eyes, respiratory system and may damage plants. The present article aims to present the theoretical potential reduction in volumetric emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in an internal combustion engine operating with the torch ignition system and homogeneous charge. Therefore, a calculation methodology based in measured pressures and determined temperatures were implemented to check the potential reduction in these pollutant emissions.

The presented methodology used to estimate the NOx formation is based in NO formation model presented by [1]. This model uses the ZELDOVICH mechanism to nitric oxide formation and were inserted an adjustment coefficient (CA) in the NO formation rate equation, in order to calibrate the model to the baseline engine operating with stoichiometric mixture. The obtained results point a potential reduction around 70% in NOx emissions.