Browse Topic: Ignition systems

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Effects of Engine Geometries on the Combustion Characteristics of a Heavy-Duty Hydrogen Spark-Ignition Engine2026-37-0046To be published on 06/09/2026
For heavy-duty applications, hydrogen (H2) internal combustion engines offer a practical solution for future transportation. However, the influence of cylinder head flow characteristics and piston geometry on lean H2 combustion remains insufficiently understood. This study presents a comprehensive computational investigation of three engine configurations characterized by distinct in-cylinder flow dynamics: mild swirl and tumble (Engine a), strong tumble (Engine b), and strong swirl (Engine c). High-fidelity three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed for both port-fuel injection (PFI) and direct injection (DI) strategies. The impact of piston geometry was evaluated by comparing the baseline piston with a flat piston, while the spark timing was optimized to achieve favorable combustion phasing. Combustion and NOx formation were modeled using a G-equation-based combustion framework incorporating diffusive-thermal instability effects and a validated in-house
Liu, Xinlei, Menaca, Rafael, Cenker, Emre, Silva, Mickael, Qahtani, Yasser A., Pei, Yuanjiang, Turner, James W.G., Im, Hong G.
A Holistic CFD Methodology for Full- and Multi-Cycle Simulation of Hydrogen Direct-Injection Internal Combustion Engines2026-37-0016To be published on 06/09/2026
Hydrogen is emerging as a viable energy carrier for the decarbonization of internal combustion engines (ICEs), representing a necessary step toward the long-term sustainability of this technology. In particular, hydrogen direct injection (DI) operation is receiving increased attention due to its inherent advantages over port fuel injection (PFI), such as reduced risks of abnormal combustion, higher specific power, and improved thermal efficiency. However, the mixture preparation process in DI operation generally leads to a stratified charge, especially under intermediate-to-late injection strategies, which in turn strongly affects ignition, combustion performance, and engine-out emissions. Therefore, investigating mixture formation, its key influencing parameters, and the resulting effects on the combustion process is essential for the proper design and optimization of hydrogen-fuelled DI ICEs. In this context, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) emerges as a powerful tool to address
Capecci, Marcolucio, Lucchini, Tommaso, Sforza, Lorenzo, Pezza, Vincenzo, Tosi, Sergio
Experimental Study of Knock Resistance Offered by Direct Water Injections in a Single-Cylinder Spark Ignition Engine03-19-02-00114/11/2026
Stochastic end-gas autoignition in spark ignition (SI) engines, commonly called “knock,” limits attainable engine efficiencies. Multiple pathways to extend SI engine operation into knock-limited regions have been studied, including direct water injection (DWI). This study employs single-cylinder engine experiments with a centrally mounted water injector to investigate the knock resistance offered by compression stroke water injections, which, through incomplete mixing, can thermally stratify the cylinder. In SI, thermally stratifying injections are expected to forcibly widen the cylinder temperature distribution by preferentially cooling the cylinder periphery. The end-gas is in the cylinder periphery. A cooler end-gas would result in longer ignition delays, thus providing knock resistance. The difference between intake temperature required to match knock-limited CA50 and a baseline intake temperature at the load of 8 bar IMEPg (gross indicated mean effective pressure) was used to
Datar, Aditya, Vedpathak, Kunal, Gainey, Brian, Lawler , Benjamin
Emission and Combustion Characteristics of a Hydrogen Direct-Injection Spark Ignition Engine Using EGR2026-01-03254/7/2026
This study experimentally investigates the combined effects of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and injection timing on the combustion and emission characteristics of a hydrogen direct injection engine. A single-cylinder 395 cc research engine was used, with injection timing varied from 60° to 180° BTDC and EGR rates from 0% to 30%. In-cylinder pressure, apparent heat release rate (AHRR), NOx, and unburned hydrogen concentrations were measured to analyze the influence of mixture formation and dilution on engine performance. Under non-EGR conditions, retarding the injection timing promoted mixture stratification, resulting in faster flame propagation and shorter combustion duration. However, localized high-temperature regions increased NOx formation, while incomplete combustion in lean or rich zones elevated unburned hydrogen emissions. When EGR was introduced, both ignition delay and combustion duration increased due to reduced oxygen concentration and thermal dilution. Nevertheless
Yang, Heetae, Ki, Youngmin, Kim, Jungho Justin, Kim, Jinsu, Bae, Choongsik, Hwang, Joonsik
Total Cost of Ownership Reduction Using Passive Pre-Chamber Ignition in Natural Gas Engines2026-01-03094/7/2026
Spark plug durability is a factor affecting the total cost of ownership (TCO) of spark-ignited natural gas engines, with some heavy-duty platforms requiring plug replacement after only 750 hours of operation. The high ignition energy demand under lean or diluted conditions accelerates electrode wear, shortening plug life and increasing maintenance frequency. This work evaluates passive pre-chamber (PC) ignition operating at lowered spark energies as a strategy to reduce spark energy requirements and extend plug durability, thereby lowering TCO. Experiments were conducted on a medium-duty Cummins 6.7L ISB engine at 1600 RPM and 50% load under varying exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) dilution levels (0–40%). Two passive pre-chambers with 1.1 mm and 1.6 mm nozzle diameters were compared with conventional spark ignition (SI). SI was operated with a fixed coil dwell of 4 ms (~90 mJ), while the PC configuration was tested across 2–4 ms dwell times (~30–90 mJ). Cylinder pressure analysis
Dhotre, Akash, Voris, Alex, Okey, Nathan, Kane, Seamus, Rajasegar, Rajavasanth, Northrop, William
Flame Velocity and Combustion Behaviour of Ammonia–Hydrogen Blends: A Combined Experimental and Numerical Study2026-01-03204/7/2026
Ammonia is emerging as a promising energy vector for decarbonising the maritime sector. However, its low flame speed can lead to incomplete combustion, reduced engine efficiency, and increased emissions of unburned ammonia (NH3). Blending hydrogen with ammonia helps to address these issues, but the fundamental combustion characteristics of such mixtures remain insufficiently understood. This study examines the combustion dynamics of an NH3–H2 blend containing 30% hydrogen at 3 bar initial pressure. Experiments were performed in a 1.2 L optically accessible constant-volume combustion chamber fitted with a wall-mounted surface spark plug. High-speed shadowgraph imaging with 6,000 fps captured the flame evolution throughout the combustion process. The pressure and temperature values were monitored using piezoresistive pressure transducers and K-type thermocouples. Combustion times and flame extensions were extracted via post-processing of flame images using custom MATLAB algorithms. The
Bodur, Tuna Murat, Bowling, William, La Rocca, Antonino, Cairns, Alasdair
Characterisation of Particle Number and Size from a DI SI Engine Operating on Hydrogen versus Gasoline: Operating Sensitivities and Filtration Effects2026-01-03784/7/2026
Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H₂ICEs) offer the potential for near-zero carbon emissions. However, while nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) emissions have been extensively studied, particulate emissions, specifically particle number (PN), which are widely attributed to in the literature to lubricant oil pyrolysis and exacerbated by hydrogen’s short quenching distance, remain less well understood. This study investigates exhaust-gas particle emission characteristics from a spark-ignition, single-cylinder research engine based on MAHLE Powertrain’s downsizing engine combustion system. The work was carried out at Brunel University of London and compares gasoline and hydrogen direct-injection strategies (central versus side injection) across a wide range of operating conditions, including variations in engine speed, load, air–fuel ratio (λ), rail pressure, and spark timing. While previous studies have investigated hydrogen particle formation mechanisms under isolated operating conditions, the
Harrington, Anthony, Zaman, Zayne, Nickolaus, Chris, Zhao, Hua, Wang, Xinyan, Hall, Jonathan
The Impact of Various Renewable Hydrocarbons on Performance and Emissions in a Super Lean Burn Engine2026-01-03064/7/2026
Compared to regular fuels, biofuels can play a key role as low-carbon transitional energy sources for ICE vehicles as the fleet moves towards increasing electrification. Blending of ethanol plays a key role in enhancing the anti-knock properties of the fuel and also allows renewable hydrocarbons (such as bio-naphtha) to be incorporated into the blend whilst maintaining an acceptable overall fuel quality. Super lean burn ICE technology with λ between 2 and 3 can lead to enhanced fuel economy and reduced NOx emissions. The Toyota prototype engine used to generate data for this project injects most of the fuel in PFI mode to generate a homogeneous super-lean charge in the cylinder, but just before spark ignition the DI injector sprays a small amount of fuel towards the spark plug to create a richer charge near the spark plug to promote flame kernel development. Various fuel formulations with high biofuel content were tested in both conventional and super lean burn engines. Certain fuel
Aradi, Allen, Krueger-Venus, Jens, Jain, Sandeep Kumar, Cracknell, Roger, Kolbeck, Andreas, Shibuya, Masahiko, Yamada, Ryota, Matsubara, Naoyoshi, Kitano, Koji
Effects of the Spark Location and Timing in a Heavy-Duty Hydrogen-Fueled Engine2026-01-03314/7/2026
The use of hydrogen in internal combustion engines offers a promising route to lower-carbon propulsion in heavy-duty transportation. However, its distinct combustion characteristics as high flame speed, wide flammability limits, and susceptibility to abnormal combustion, necessitate careful engine and ignition system design. This study numerically investigates the combined effects of spark plug (SP) location and ignition timing on the performance of a heavy-duty diesel engine converted to spark-ignition and operated with hydrogen as fuel at reduced compression ratio. The numerical study aims to guide engine design. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations with detailed hydrogen chemistry were conducted to evaluate flame development, and relevant combustion metrics under different loads. Model validation against engine combustion data and hydrogen injection from a low-pressure, high-mass-flow direct injector are also presented. The results demonstrate that SP placement
Menaca, Rafael, Shakeel, Mohammad Raghib, Panithasan, Mebin, Liu, Xinlei, Qahtani, Yasser, AlRamadan, Abdullah, Cenker, Emre, Silva, Mickael, Pei, Yuanjiang, Turner, James, Im, Hong
Investigation of CDI and TCI Ignition Characteristics for Lean Hydrogen-Air Mixtures in a Constant Volume Combustion Chamber2026-01-03274/7/2026
The discharge characteristics of ignition systems critically influence flame kernel formation and ignition stability under lean-burn conditions. This study experimentally compares a transistor coil ignition (TCI) and a capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) system in a constant-volume combustion chamber using hydrogen–air mixtures. The electrical behavior of both systems was first characterized through synchronized measurements of voltage, current, and high-speed imaging under various operating conditions with a resistive spark plug. The CDI system exhibited high-current (≈750 mA), short-duration (≈250 μs) discharges with strong instantaneous power but limited total spark-gap energy (≈5 mJ), while the TCI system produced lower-current, longer-duration (≈3 ms) discharges with higher cumulative energy (≈30 mJ). Flow-field tests revealed that the TCI discharge duration and energy release were strongly influenced by airflow, whereas CDI discharge behavior remained largely unchanged at flow
Cong, Binghao, Jin, Long, Yu, Xiao, Zhou, Qing, Tjong, Jimi, Zheng, Ming
A Comparative Study of Evaluation Indicators of Spark Plug Electrode Erosion Resistance Using High Energy Ignition2026-01-02914/7/2026
Lean combustion is one of the effective methods to improve the efficiency of engine. High energy ignition can significantly enhance the stability of lean combustion, attracting widespread attention in engine applications, particularly in GDI engines. However, higher ignition energy accelerates the erosion rate of spark plug electrodes, thereby shortening their lifespan. This study used an erosion testing system for spark plug center electrode materials based on a self-made high energy ignition device and proposed corresponding evaluation indicators. Using this system, the erosion resistance of eight different electrode materials was assessed through three indicators. The results indicate that the testing system enables rapid detection on the erosion resistance of spark plug electrode materials. Connecting the center electrode to the cathode can accelerate electrode material erosion and shorten the testing cycle. Compared to the other two indicators, the electrode volume presented more
Zhang, Jianqi, Sun, Nan, Miao, Xinke, Li, Yang, Zhou, Chuan, Deng, Jun, Li, Liguang
Experimental Characterisation of Combustion, Performance, and Emissions in a Hydrogen Fueled Opposed Piston Engine2026-01-03354/7/2026
Recent studies have demonstrated that the current Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) can be adapted to operate with hydrogen for the decarbonisation of transport and gensets. This is mostly done by conversion of conventional 4-stroke compression ignition diesel engines or spark ignition gas engines for heavy-duty vehicles or 4-stroke spark ignition gasoline engines for light-duty applications. This study aims to assess the adoption of pure hydrogen direct injection technology on a novel two-stroke opposed-piston engine designed by Carnot Engine Ltd. The engine provides a flexible platform that can operate in both compression ignition and spark ignition modes, allowing it to adopt multiple fuels. For the first time, a single cylinder prototype version of this new engine was operated and tested with hydrogen at Brunel University of London. During the engine experiment, a spark ignition timing sweep was carried out at low and mid-loads up to 10 bar IMEP to identify the Minimum ignition
Mohamed, Mohamed, Roeinfard, Nima, Wang, Xinyan, Zhao, Hua, Watts-Farmer, Archie, Rahman, Nadiur, Lempp, Francis
Investigation of Flame Speed Effects towards Knock Suppression in a Boosted Spark-Ignited Engine Using 1-D Modeling2026-01-03114/7/2026
To combine high efficiencies and low pollutant emissions, engine manufacturers have developed downsized spark-ignited (SI) engines in light- and medium-duty applications utilizing charge boosting and high compression ratio. While these techniques have proven effective, abnormal combustion such as auto-ignition and knock present a challenge and an important limitation towards high efficiencies. In this work, simulations have been utilized for knock onset predictions as well to provide relevant insights and trends of engine and fuel parameters including flame speed on auto-ignition. A one-dimensional (1-D) GT-Power model was utilized in this study with a semi-predictive flame propagation model and kinetic mechanism solver to isolate the flame propagation rate on auto-ignition and knock. This work presents a comprehensive study of the laminar flame speed (LFS) effect on combustion at knocking conditions in a high compression ratio long stroke engine (LSE) fueled by propane. Knock onset
Douvry-Rabjeau, Julien, DelVescovo, Dan
Relative Knocking Intensity to Discuss Similarities and Differences between Low- and High-Speed Knocking Phenomena2026-01-03124/7/2026
Knock intensity, the maximum half-amplitude of pressure oscillation, reaches 1 MPa once in thousands of cycles under a certain boosted high-load condition at the engine speed of 5000 min-1, which is named high-speed super knock. In the present study, a mass-production turbo-charged direct-injection gasoline engine is operated for the indicated mean effective pressure of 1.7 MPa at the engine speed of 1500 to 5000 min-1. Unburned-zone autoignition timing is estimated using Livengood-Wu integral coupled with a small set of ignition delay time equations, which matches that detected from the differential value of net heat release rate, with a difference below 2 degrees in the whole range of engine speed. As unburned-zone autoignition timing advances, ignition delay time in an unburned zone at the autoignition timing shortens. Whenever autoignition occurs at 15 degrees after TDC, the ignition delay time is the period of about 10 degrees, regardless of engine speed. Knock intensity divided
Zeng, Changzhi, Kuboyama, Tatsuya, Yatsufusa, Tomoaki, Okuyama, Shota, Kuwahara, Kazunari
A Comparative Study of Combustion Stability Improvement via Prolonged Discharge Duration under Engine Idling Conditions2026-01-03084/7/2026
Proper control over combustion and emission characteristics under engine idling conditions remains to be challenging, especially when engine block temperature is low. A specially designed common-coil pack was demonstrated to improve engine idling stability in previous SAE congress. In this paper, the progress on further development of the ignition system was reported with improved system stability and enhanced ignition performances. The impact of the prolonged discharge duration on the combustion stability was investigated on a turbocharged 4-cylinder production engine, with special attention to cylinder-by-cylinder variation under cold and hot engine block temperatures. It is observed that a prolonged discharge duration can reduce both cycle-to-cycle and cylinder-to-cylinder variations significantly. Especially under cold engine block temperature conditions, prolonged discharge duration together with advanced spark timing can increase engine load and reduce carbon monoxide emissions
Yu, Xiao, Jin, Long, Leblanc, Simon, Ting, David, Zheng, Ming
Effect of Ignition Timing on Combustion Characteristics in Ammonia-Hydrogen Blended Fuel Engine with Passive Pre-Chamber2026-01-03234/7/2026
Against the backdrop of energy structure transformation and upgraded environmental protection requirements, ammonia has been gaining significant traction for its potential application as a zero-carbon fuel. However, it faces challenges such as difficult ignition, slow combustion rate, and low heating value. Thus, researching efficient combustion strategies suitable for ammonia as a fuel holds great significance. In this study, a two-cylinder diesel engine was modified into an ammonia-hydrogen blended fuel engine. Experimental study coupled with numerical simulations were carried out to investigate the effects of varying ignition timing on the combustion characteristics employed a passive pre-chamber ammonia-hydrogen fuel engine. The results show that the peak in-cylinder pressure exhibits a "first increase then decrease" trend as the ignition timing is retarded, reaching a maximum value of 7.42 MPa at the ignition timing of -27.5°CA ATDC. When the ignition timing is retarded beyond -15
Deng, Jun, Luo, Mingyu, Shang, Quanbo, Tang, Yongjian, Qin, Jie, Li, Liguang
Fuel Effects on EGR Tolerance of Synthetic Gasoline Fuels in a DISI Engine2026-01-03054/7/2026
Drop-in synthetic gasoline fuels are an attractive alternative to traditional fossil fuels for transportation due to their high energy density, compatibility with the existing fleet and potential to decrease carbon intensity. Despite of meeting gasoline standards, the composition of these fuels can vary depending on the feedstock used for production and the production process, which has been shown to affect engine performance and emissions. This study investigated the effects of synthetic fuel composition on combustion in a direct-injection spark-ignition engine. Spark timing sweeps from the stability limit to the knock limit were performed with three different bio-fuels, methanol-to-gasoline, ethanol-to-gasoline and hydrotreated-biomass gasoline, at different exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rates, and results were compared against a research-grade E10 (10%vol ethanol) regular gasoline representative of petroleum gasoline available in the US. Octane index analyses showed that knock
MacDonald, James, Narayanan, Abhinandhan, Lopez Pintor, Dario, Matsubara, Naoyoshi, Kitano, Koji, Yamada, Ryota, Sugata, Kenji
Investigation of In-Cylinder Cycle-to-Cycle Variation Using PIV, LIF and RANS Simulation2026-01-02994/7/2026
Cycle-to-cycle variation (CCV) of combustion is an issue that inevitably arises in internal combustion engines. There is a need to clarify and improve the situation, as well as predict it using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This study involved carrying out experimental analyses of the factors that cause combustion cycle fluctuations, as well as predicting the CCV of gas flow using RANS. To elucidate the CCV in gas flow and combustion within gasoline engine, simultaneous TR-PIV, PLIF and direct-photography of flame propagation were performed using an optical single-cylinder engine, CCV prediction model for gas flow using RANS was verified. The results revealed the following: The variation in the equivalence ratio per cycle has little effect on initial combustion but does influence IMEP. Evaluating the laminar flame speed, SL and turbulent flame speed, ST as factors determining initial combustion revealed almost no correlation with SL, while moderate correlations were observed
Hokimoto, Satoshi, Moriyoshi, Yasuo, Kuboyama, Tatsuya
Optimal Strategies for SI H2 Combustion System and Pre-Ignition Investigation through Advanced Optical Techniques2026-01-03244/7/2026
The rapidly transforming mobility sector is confronted with a dual challenge: achieving market expansion while significantly reducing emissions. Even if vehicle electrification tends to be favored in developed nations, it is widely acknowledged that no single solution is universally optimal. Within this context, hydrogen emerges as a compelling energy vector. It can be used both in fuel cells and internal combustion engines. This latter benefits from a well-known architecture and existing production infrastructures constituting a viable short-term and cost-effective solution especially for light or heavy-duty and off-road applications. In this context, investigation on the hydrogen spark-ignited internal combustion engine was performed, focusing especially on critical abnormal combustions. Indeed, during early development phase, abnormal combustion management was a challenge requiring the identification of the root cause of these issues. This work, based on the use of a versatile
Londos, Benoit, Bardi, Michele, Serrano, David, Laget, Olivier, Gautrot, Xavier, Bramoullé, Clément, Cordier, Matthieu
Development of an ‘Online’ Combustion System Calibration Method using a Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm2026-01-02854/7/2026
Calibration is a major resource bottleneck and source of risk in powertrain technology development. A promising alternative to the typical design-of-experiments (DoE) approach is the use of a ‘Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm’ (NSGA) calibration method, where an iterative process is used to directly identify the Pareto Fronts between performance metrics, for example, net mean effective pressure (NMEP) and NOx emission. The goal of the present work was to develop and demonstrate a fully ‘online’ combustion system calibration method based on an NSGA, where the algorithm operates directly on experimental data rather than empirical models as is typical in the literature. This was completed by first designing an optimal NSGA for combustion system calibration and then demonstrating its use for an experimental combustion system calibration on a single cylinder gasoline engine at one operating condition. Results from the design process here indicate that ‘online’ NSGAs have a strong
Mansfield, Andrew
Combustion Enhancement via Discharge Current Modulation under Turbulence Conditions2026-01-03364/7/2026
Utilizing low carbon fuel in lean burn combustion presents a compelling strategy for improving thermal efficiency and reducing NOx emissions. Methane, the main content of natural gas, still receives challenge of a rapid and complete combustion process because of its low flame speed. The long combustion duration deteriorates the performance of a spark ignition engine, in terms of poor combustion instability and misfire. Although ignition timing can be utilized to adjust the combustion phasing, the ignition process faces challenges due to reduced background pressure and temperature at advanced spark timings. In this paper, a rapid compression machine equipped with a specially designed flow chamber is utilized to enhance the turbulence flow, and a custom-built ignition module is utilized to provide boosted discharge current to enhance the ignition stability under flow conditions. An effective spark energy required to enhance the combustion process is investigated under both stoichiometric
Jin, Long, Cong, Binghao, Yu, Xiao, Kong, Xiangxin, Reader, Graham, Zheng, Ming
Experimental Study on the Effect of Ignition Strategy on Combustion and Emissions in a Direct Injection Hydrogen Engine2026-01-03304/7/2026
Hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines (H₂ICEs) are a promising pathway toward carbon-neutral transportation, but their efficiency and emissions performance are highly sensitive to ignition control strategies. This study systematically investigates the combined effects of spark timing (−10 to −26 °CA BTDC) and spark energy (25–40 mJ) on combustion characteristics in a direct injection H₂ICE operating at a constant speed of 1400 r/min under low, medium, and high load conditions. Results show that spark timing advance produces load-dependent effects: at low load, it increases the peak heat release rate while delaying peak pressure and shortening combustion duration; at medium and high loads, it advances both peaks toward TDC with an optimal spark timing shifting closer to −14 °CA. Ignition delay was only slightly reduced at low load but significantly shortened by about 3 °CA at high load. NOx emissions increased nearly linearly with spark advance, while slight retardation
Zhao, Keqin, Lou, Diming, Zhang, Yunhua, Fang, Liang, Tan, Piqiang, Hu, Zhiyuan
Ignition System Measurements ProcedureJ973_202603 (Current)3/11/2026
This SAE Recommended Practice specifies the design and/or evaluation with the specific equipment, conditions, and methods for distributorless battery ignition systems intended for use in various internal combustion engines including automotive, marine, motorcycle, and utility engine applications. The test procedures listed in this document are limited to measurements performed on a test bench only and do not include measurements made directly on engines or vehicles. This standard is not intended to supply information for battery ignition systems used in aircraft applications of any type.
Ignition Standards Committee
Optimization of Combustion Stability and Fuel Economy for Dedicated Hybrid Engines with High Exhaust Gas Recirculation Rate03-19-02-00082/26/2026
In recent years, the rapid growth of hybrid vehicles has driven the development of dedicated hybrid engines (DHEs) as a key powertrain technology for achieving high thermal efficiency and low emissions. Driven by stringent emissions regulations and demand for improved fuel economy, enhancing thermal efficiency in gasoline engines remains a critical industry challenge. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology dilutes oxygen in the intake charge, suppresses knock, and optimizes combustion phasing. However, excessive EGR rates compromise combustion stability by inducing elevated cyclic variability and potential misfire, posing challenges in maintaining stable combustion and improving fuel efficiency at high EGR levels. Thus, combustion stability and fuel efficiency optimization in Geely’s DHEs under high EGR conditions was investigated in this article. In this study, a high tumble combustion system was designed to enhance charge motion and promote stable flame propagation. Furthermore
Li, Qiang, Deng, Xiaorong, Ren, Siming, Zhang, Peiyi, Zhu, Yunfeng, Li, Hongzhou, Yan, Pingtao, Gu, Xiangsheng
Comprehensive Engine Testing Methodologies for Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Validation with Combustion & Performance Evaluation Techniques2026-26-02561/16/2026
Validation of hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine (H2 ICE) is critical to assess its feasibility as sustainable transportation with zero carbon emissions. This experimental analysis conducted on Ashok Leyland’s 6cylinder 2V engine to evaluate the engine performance & durability with hydrogen fuel. Combustion behaviour of hydrogen ICE needs to be closely monitored during continuous operation of validation testing, due to its unique properties compared to other conventional fuels. During engine run, a pre-ignition source can cause knock event leading to instant failure of critical parts like piston assembly, spark plug, liner, valves & cylinder head. Also, hotspots inside IMF leads to backfire affecting the air intake & fuel injection assembly. This study emphasizes the significance of precise instrumentation of thermocouples across engine on cylinder head, intake manifold & exhaust manifold, to detect performance detoriation and combustion abnormalities causing knocking
Vasudevan, Sindhuja, J, Narayana Reddy, Bolar, Yogesh Ganesh, Pandey, Sunil, N, Harish, N R, Varatharaj, Karthikeyan, K, Kumar D, Kishore
Technologies and Strategies for High Brake Thermal Efficiency Gasoline Engine to Meet the Future CO 2 Emission Targets in India2026-26-00721/16/2026
The Indian automobile industry is experiencing a significant shift, propelled by environmental necessities and national climate obligations set at the CoP26 summit, aiming for a 45% decrease in CO₂ emissions by 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2070 [1]. Transportation continues to be a significant source of air pollution; consequently, India is enhancing its regulatory frameworks with BS VI Stage 2 regulations, CAFE Phase III norms set for 2027, and CAFE Phase IV by 2032 [2]. Furthermore, the transition from MIDC to WLTP driving cycle is meant to increase the accuracy of the efficiency and emissions assessments [2]. To comply to these upcoming regulations, the automotive industry is moving toward producing high efficiency engines in India. A naturally aspirated (NA) 1.5L, 4-cylinder inline gasoline engine was selected from Indian market for this study. Maximum Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) of this engine is around 37%. Assessment of new technologies were performed by
Garg, Shivam, Fischer, Marcus, Emran, Ashraf, Jagodzinski, Bartosch, Franzke, Bjoern
Misfires Detection in Bi-Fuel Engines – A Brief Note2026-26-01201/16/2026
With the expansion of compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station in India, bi-fuel vehicles are gaining popularity in recent times. Bi-fuel engine runs on more than one fuel, say in both CNG and petrol. Hence, the engine must be optimized in both the fuel modes for performance and emissions. However, due to the inherent differences in combustion characteristics: ignition dynamics and fuel properties, they pose a significant challenge in case of detection of misfires. Misfires are caused because of faulty injection systems and ignition systems and incorrect fuel mixture. Accurate detection is essential as misfires deteriorate the catalysts performance and may impacts emission. Misfires (or engine roughness) is calculated from engine crankshaft speed signal. In this study, the effectiveness of crankshaft-based misfires detection method, comparison of misfire signals magnitude in bi-fuel modes and practices developed for accurate detection of misfires is presented.
Thiyagarajan, Abhinav, N, Gobalakrishnan, R, Hema
Effect of E20 Fuel on Vehicle Performance Parameters of 694CC Gasoline Engine for Commercial Vehicle Application2026-26-05651/16/2026
In alignment with its carbon reduction commitments, India is transitioning towards higher ethanol-blended fuels, with E20 set for nationwide implementation by 2025. Ethanol is a renewable, domestically produced biofuel produced through fermentation of biomass such as sugarcane, corn. It possesses a higher octane rating and oxygen content compared to conventional gasoline, making it a favorable additive for improving engine performance and reducing emissions. This study investigates the impact of E20 fuel on performance parameters of a 694 cc MPFI , water-cooled, twin-cylinder gasoline engine. For deriving maximum benefits of increased Octane rating of E20, compression ratio was increased to 12.5:1. Experimental analysis was conducted to assess the changes in combustion behavior, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), torque output, engine out emissions and thermal efficiency when operating on E20 compared to baseline gasoline (E10). Base results indicate that E20 promotes more
Kulkarni, Deepak, Malekar, Hemant A, Thonge, Ravindra, Kanchan, Shubham
Performance Optimization of 2 Cylinder Flex Fuel Engine for Small Commercial Vehicle – A STEP TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY2026-26-01191/16/2026
Increasing ethanol blending in gasoline is significant from both financial (reducing dependency on crude oil) and sustainability (overall CO2 reduction) points of view. Flex Fuel is an ethanol-gasoline blend containing ethanol ranging from 20% to 85%. Flex Fuel emerges as an exceptionally advantageous solution, adeptly addressing the shortcomings associated with both gasoline and ethanol. Performance optimization of Flex Fuel is a major challenge as fuel properties like knocking tendency, calorific value, vapour pressure, latent heat, and stoichiometric air-fuel ratio change with varying ethanol content. This paper elaborates on the experimental results of trials conducted for optimizing engine performance with Flex Fuel for a 2-cylinder engine used in a small commercial vehicle. To derive maximum benefit from the higher octane rating of E85, the compression ratio is increased, while ignition timing is optimized to avoid knocking with E20 fuel. For intermediate blends, ignition timing
Kulkarni, Deepak, Malekar, Hemant A, Upadhyay, Rajdip, Katkar, Santosh, Undre, Shrikant
Development of High BMEP Natural Gas Engine with Knock Mitigation2026-26-01211/16/2026
The stringent emission norms over the past few years have driven the need to use low-carbon fuels and after treatment technology. Natural gas is a suitable alternative to diesel heavy-duty engines for power generation and transportation sectors. Stoichiometric combustion offers the advantages of complete combustion and low carbon dioxide emissions. Turbocharging and cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) technology enhances the power density along with reduced exhaust emissions. However, there are several constraints in the operation of natural gas spark ignition engine such as exhaust gas temperature limit of 780 °C, sufficient before turbine pressure for EGR drivability, boost pressure, peak cylinder pressure limit and knocking. These limits coulld restrict the engine BMEP (brake mean effective pressure). In the present study, tests were conducted on a V12, 24 liters, heavy duty natural gas fuelled spark ignition engine (600 HP) with different EGR and turbocharger configurations to
Khaladkar, Omkar, Marwaha, Akshey
Numerical Analysis of the Performance of an Engine with a Pre-Chamber Equipped with an Air Injector Operating in TJI Mode2025-36-018712/18/2025
The sustainability of the transportation sector demands the continuous development of new technologies in internal combustion engines, aiming at reducing pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions while increasing fuel conversion efficiency. Pre-chamber (PC) ignition systems have recently emerged as an important technological pathway to explore. These systems generate turbulent combustion gas jets capable of accelerating flame propagation in the main chamber. The use of this mechanism enables a more homogeneous and efficient combustion, as well as allowing an increase in the compression ratio, resulting in improvements in engine performance and a reduction in pollutant emissions. One of the strategies to further enhance the benefits of pre-chambers is the introduction of air injectors. The objective of this modification is to promote the cleaning of residual gases that remain in the pre-chamber after combustion, mitigating adverse effects such as mixture dilution and ignition instabilities
Rocha, Hiago Tenório Teixeira Santana, Oliveira, Wender Pereira de, Filho, Fernando Antonio Rodrigues, Baeta, José Guilherme Coelho, Guzzo, Márcio Expedito, Assis, Marcelo Suman Silva, Moreira, Thiago Augusto Araujo
Turbulent Jet Ignition Engine: Calibration of Flame Multipliers for Combustion Model2025-36-023912/18/2025
With the implementation of increasingly stringent regulations for pollutant emissions, such as Proconve L8 [1], which requires a 37% reduction in NOx and non-methane organic gases (NMOG) emissions for light passenger vehicles compared to previous regulations, the automotive engineering community is constantly evolving to develop prediction models that are capable of predicting the performance of Internal Combustion Engines (ICE). With this, the society search solutions to increase fuel conversion efficiency and reduce fuel emissions. In a special case, related to the study of the turbulent jet ignition (TJI) engine, there was a need to develop a refined numerical model that allows for the accurate design of the ignition pre-chamber geometry. In view of this, a one-dimensional modeling was carried out in the GT-SUITE ® software, in its modeling environment for Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), GT-POWER ®, with the objective of determining its ideal volume, parameters such as internal
Silva, Arthur Medeiros, Souza, Ediwaldo Júnio de, Rocha, Hiago Tenório Teixeira Santana, Filho, Fernando Antônio Rodrigues, Guzzo, Márcio Expedito, Oliveira, Wender Pereira de, Baeta, José Guilherme Coelho
Optimization of Biogas Combustion in SI Engines Applied to the Pre-Chamber Ignition System2025-36-020912/18/2025
The diversification of the energy matrix, combined with the use of renewable and less polluting fuels in internal combustion engines, has encouraged numerous research efforts both nationally and internationally. In this context, the utilization of waste for biofuel production stands out as a promising alternative, offering a clean and economically viable energy source. Biogas is one of the most sustainable options and has been widely used in the industry. However, it presents low lower heating values (LHV) and difficulties in burning stoichiometric mixtures, which compromise engine performance, resulting in higher specific fuel consumption and lower power output compared to fossil fuels. To address this challenge, this study aimed to improve biogas combustion in internal combustion engines by investigating the application of a new pre-chamber ignition system in the combustion process and engine performance parameters. For this, experimental tests were conducted with two biofuel
Siqueira, Caio Henrique Moreira, Ázara, Luiz Eduardo Martins, Ribeiro, José Vitor Puttini, Soares, Gabriel Faria, Silva, Fábio Moreira, Alvarez, Carlos Eduardo Castilla
Performance Analysis of Methanol- Ethanol Blend Fuel in a Spark-Ignition Flex-Fuel Engine2025-36-014812/18/2025
Flex-fueled vehicles (FFV) dominate the Brazilian market, accounting for over 75% of the national fleet. Ethanol fuel is widely used, primarily in the form of hydrated ethyl alcohol fuel (HEAF). Given the similar physicochemical properties of ethanol and methanol, fuel adulteration is a growing concern, often involving the addition of anhydrous ethanol, methanol, or even water to hydrated ethanol. These adulterants are visually imperceptible and can only be detected through analyses conducted by regulatory agencies using specialized instruments. However, they can significantly affect vehicle performance and accelerate engine component deterioration. The experiment was performed with a small displacement 3-cylinder port fuel injection flex-fuel engine on an engine test bench (dynamometer) and compared when fueled with ethanol and methanol. Data acquisition included combustion pressure, spark plug temperature, torque, air-fuel ratio, fuel flow, spark maps, and the overall effects of
Mascarenhas, Giovana Rebellato, Gomes, Ederson, Cruz, Diego, Duque, Edson Luciano
Artificial Neural Network-Based Performance and Emission Prediction for Hydrogen-Combustion Multicylinder Engines2025-36-023712/18/2025
In response to the pressing need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines (H2ICEs) have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional fossil-fueled powertrains. However, optimizing H2ICEs presents challenges in balancing performance with emissions, particularly in nitrogen oxide (NOx) formation This study proposes a data-driven methodology using an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict key emission and performance metrics: NOx emissions, brake mean effective pressure (BMEP), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), brake power, and brake thermal efficiency, based solely on engine operational parameters. Experimental data were collected from a three-cylinder Ford EcoBoost engine under varying conditions of intake pressure, spark timing, air-fuel ratio, engine speed, and valve timing. Feature selection was performed using the Spearman correlation coefficient, identifying engine speed, start of injection angle
Pasa, Bruno Roberto, Silveira, Juliano Pereira, Fagundez, Jean Lucca Souza, Lanzanova, Thompson Diórdinis Metzka, Martins, Mario Eduardo Santos, Salau, Nina Paula Gonçalves
A Review of the Application and Research Progress of Turbulent Jet Ignition Technology03-18-08-004712/3/2025
For the sustainable development of human society, energy saving, emission reduction, and carbon reduction are urgent challenges to be addressed in the energy industry. As a power device for energy conversion in the transportation sector, the internal combustion engine also needs to enhance its thermal efficiency while cutting pollutant emissions. To meet the current stringent requirements, lean combustion has been widely studied as an effective strategy. However, the ignition difficulty resulting from lean burn needs to be addressed. As a high-energy ignition system, the prechamber turbulent jet ignition can accelerate in-cylinder combustion, thereby enhancing engine efficiency and reducing emissions. Thus, it is considered a promising technology. This review reveals efforts to apply prechamber ignition systems to optimize combustion in the engine characterized by low-carbon fuels and low-emission features. First, this article briefly introduces the evolution of the prechamber
Bai, Xiujuan, Zheng, Dayuan
Ammonia Combustion with Active Pre-Chamber Spark Plug - A CO 2 -Free Combustion Process2025-01-052711/25/2025
As a zero-carbon fuel, ammonia has the potential to completely defossilize combustion engines. Due to the inert nitrogen present in the molecule, ammonia is difficult to ignite or burn. Even if the ammonia can be successfully ignited, combustion will be very slow and there is a risk of flame quenching, i.e. the flame going out before the ammonia-air mixture has been almost completely converted. Both the difficult flammability and the slow combustion result in high ammonia slip, which should be avoided at all costs. The engine efficiency is also greatly reduced. Safe ignition and burn-through can be achieved by drastically increasing the ignition energy and/or using a reaction accelerator such as hydrogen. The planned paper will use detailed 1D and 3D CFD calculations to show how high the potential of ammonia combustion in an internal combustion engine is when an active pre-chamber is used as the ignition system. As a result of the flame jets penetrating into the main combustion chamber
Sens, Marc, von Roemer, Lorenz, Rieß, Michael, Fandakov, Alexander, Casal Kulzer, Andre
Visualization of Ammonia Engine by Pre-Chamber Igniter2025-01-053011/25/2025
Ammonia is considered more and more as a promising carbon-free fuel for internal combustion engines to contribute to the decarbonization of several sectors where replacing conventional engines with batteries or fuel cells remains unsuitable. However, ammonia properties can induce some challenges for efficient and stable combustion. This study investigates the use of an active pre-chamber ignition system fueled with hydrogen and compares it to conventional spark ignition, with a focus on lean limit operation and early flame development. Experiments were conducted on a single cylinder optical engine with a compression ratio of 9.5, equipped with a quartz window in the piston for natural flame luminosity imaging using a high-speed camera. The engine was fueled with a mixture of 95% ammonia and 5% hydrogen by volume. Ammonia was injected and mixed with air in the intake port while hydrogen was directly injected into the prechamber. As a function of the intake pressure (1.0, 0.9, 0.8, and
Rousselle, Christine Mounaim, Brequigny, Pierre, Gelé, Raphaël, Moreau, Bruno
Multi-Objective Optimization of Oxyfuel Gas Engine Using Stochastic Engine Model and Detailed Chemistry2025-01-052911/25/2025
The energy transition initiatives in Germany’s renown coal mining region Lusatia have driven research into Power-to-X-to-Power technologies, where synthetic fuel is produced from renewably sourced hydrogen and captured CO2, and converted to electricity and heat through oxyfuel combustion. This work investigates the multi-objective optimization of oxyfuel gas engine using a stochastic engine model and detailed chemistry. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate, initial cylinder temperature and pressure, spark timing, piston bowl radius and depth are selected as design parameters to minimize the exhaust temperature at exhaust valve opening and indicated specific fuel consumption (ISFC) corresponding to oxyfuel operation with different dry and wet EGR rates. The optimization problem is solved for a dry EGR and four wet EGR cases with various CO2/H2O fractions, aiming to achieve comparable performance as in conventional natural gas / air operation, and energy-efficient carbon capture. The
Asgarzade, Rufat, Franken, Tim, Mauss, Fabian
Investigation of Active Pre-Chamber Ignition on an Optically Accessible Ultra-Lean DI Hydrogen Engine2025-01-052411/25/2025
Hydrogen is a promising alternative to conventional fuels for decarbonizing the commercial vehicle sector due to its carbon-free nature. This study investigates the ignition and flame propagation characteristics of hydrogen in a 2-liter single-cylinder optical research engine representative of the commercial vehicle sector. The main objective was to enable high power density operation while minimizing NOx emissions. For that, ultra-lean combustion was employed to lower in-cylinder temperatures, addressing the challenge of NOx formation. To counteract delayed and unstable combustion under lean conditions, an active pre-chamber ignition system was implemented. It uses a gas-purged pre-chamber with separate hydrogen injection and spark plug ignition. Turbulent hot gas jets from the pre-chamber ignite the fresh mixture in the main combustion chamber, enabling faster and more stable ignition compared to conventional spark plugs. Additionally, the low volumetric energy density of hydrogen
Borken, Philipp, Bill, Daniel, Link, Lukas, Dinkelacker, Friedrich, Hansen, Hauke
Optimization of Injection Parameters for a Free-Piston Engine Equipped with Flat-Head Combustion Chamber2025-01-507511/11/2025
The free-piston engine represents a paradigm shift in internal combustion engine technology, with its unique structure promising efficiency gains. However, injection parameters are one of the core elements of free-piston engine performance. This study employs computational fluid dynamics analysis to optimize the spray cone angle and start of injection timing for a two-stroke dual-piston opposed free-piston engine equipped with a flat-head combustion chamber. A three-dimensional transient model incorporating dynamic adaptive mesh refinement was constructed by using CONVERGE 3.0 software. The results indicate that a spray cone angle of 25° achieves optimal fuel distribution, yielding a peak indicated thermal efficiency of 42.14% and an indicated mean effective pressure of 9.08 bar. Crucially, advancing the ignition timing to 215°CA improves mixture homogeneity but simultaneously increases peak cylinder temperatures and NOx. Conversely, delayed start of injection timings reduces NO
Xu, Zhaoping, Yang, Shenao, Liu, Liang
High-Tension Ignition CableJ2031_202511 (Current)11/6/2025
The specifications contained in this SAE Standard pertain to high-tension ignition cable used in road vehicle engine ignition systems.
Ignition Standards Committee
Firing TDC Identification Through Wasted Spark Duration Measurements During Cranking of Small Engines2025-32-008511/3/2025
Implementing control techniques through “virtual sensors” is extremely attractive for small size engines, given that cost effectiveness is essential. This work presents a routine for identifying the firing TDC through measurement of spark duration. Previous capability of correctly identifying cycle phasing through this route was confirmed during normal operation of a power unit that featured a wasted spark ignition system. Starting with the hypothesis that this could be implemented during engine cranking, the procedure was adapted for identifying the firing TDC as quickly as possible; it was also developed with the specific task of requiring less time for synchronization, compared to the previous version. The new method was verified on a small size 50 cc single cylinder engine that featured a recoil starter mechanism. Correct identification was confirmed, with the possibility of generating the reference signal as early as the 2nd cycle that featured normal operation of the ignition
Irimescu, Adrian, Merola, Simona
Computational Investigation on a Boosted Uniflow Scavenged Direct-Injection Combustion Engine (BUSDICE) with Alcohol Fuels2025-32-002711/3/2025
Alcohol fuels, produced from renewable energy sources, are considered a crucial solution for achieving life-cycle carbon neutrality in internal combustion engines. The Boosted Uniflow Scavenged Direct-Injection Combustion Engine (BUSDICE) exhibits significant potential for high thermal efficiency with an aggressive downsizing design. In this study, a computational investigation was carried out to assess the spray mixing and combustion characteristics of BUSDICE fuelled with methanol and ethanol, compared with gasoline, under a high-load condition. The injection duration of methanol and ethanol is significantly longer than that of iso-octane, leading to incomplete evaporation. The mixture exhibits an “outer-rich, central-lean” stratification pattern due to the short mixing time and swirl flow transportation for all three fuels. However, the prolonged injection of methanol induces stronger turbulence, which can enhance the local mixing. The spatial mixture stratification, particularly
Feng, Yizhuo, Lu, Enshen, Dong, Shuo, Keshtkar, Hossein, Wang, Xinyan, Zhao, Hua
Knock Sensors for Two Wheelers Applications2025-32-007911/3/2025
This paper describes the design and characteristics of the knock sensor. The sensor is already used as a commodity product for automotive applications and used by all automotive OEMs for spark ignited combustion engines. With the arrival of the electronic fuel injection on the two wheelers, further optimization of the combustion can be obtained. Although there are many publications on the engine knock strategy, little is known publicly about the sensor itself. The knock sensor is an accelerometer based on a piezoelectric component; it provides an analog signal of the engine vibration. The Electronic Control Unit will filter the signal according to a specific strategy and defines the presence and intensity of the engine knock. The ECU will act accordingly on the ignition timing. The inner structure as well as the mechanical and electrical interface are described in this article.
van Est, Jeroen, Prieu, Corentin
Development of a Combined Injection and Ignition Unit for a Gas Engine with Direct Hydrogen Injection Integrated into the Standard Spark Plug Access Hole2025-32-005911/3/2025
To achieve the desired fuel switch from natural gas to hydrogen in internal combustion engines for combined heat and power units, it is necessary to make some adjustments to the fuel supply system. External gas mixers increase the probability of backfiring when natural gas is replaced by hydrogen. In addition, the low density of hydrogen results in a loss of power. Therefore, direct gas injection is preferred when using hydrogen. A drawback of direct injection is the requirement of higher injection pressures to achieve the desired fuel mass and mixture homogeneity as well as the additional access to the combustion chamber for the direct gas injector in the cylinder head. This paper proposes an alternative approach that does not necessitate the implementation of a high-pressure direct injection system nor additional access to the combustion chamber via the cylinder head. A combined injection and ignition unit, called HydroFit, was developed which uses a sleeve inside the spark plug bore
Rischette, Nic, Holzberger, Sascha, Helms, Sven, Kettner, Maurice
A Study of Knocking Characteristics in a Hydrogen SI Engine under High Compression Ratio2025-32-006311/3/2025
This study investigated the knocking characteristics of a hydrogen spark ignition engine for the purpose of increasing efficiency and expanding the operating range. In recent years, research focused on carbon neutrality has been vigorously conducted, and hydrogen has attracted attention as a next-generation fuel for internal combustion engines (ICEs). The combustion characteristics of hydrogen are vastly from those of existing gasoline. It is essential to have a sufficient understanding of the combustion characteristics of hydrogen in order to develop next-generation ICEs designed to operate on hydrogen fuel. There are especially many aspects of the knocking mechanisms of hydrogen that are unclear. Consequently, those characteristics and mechanisms must be clarified for the purpose of expanding the operating range of hydrogen engines and enhancing their efficiency. In this study, experiments were conducted using a single-cylinder hydrogen engine that was operated at a high compression
Ishihara, Hiromasa, Kishibata, Shunsuke, Miyake, Shota, Iida, Tomoya, Kuwabara, Kenta, Yoshihara, Shintaro, Miyamoto, Sekai, Iijima, Akira
Effect of Plasma-Assisted Ignition on Combustion and Emission Characteristics of Two Stroke Engines with Different Fuels2025-32-003011/3/2025
This study explores the effect of plasma-assisted ignition (PAI) on combustion stability and emissions in two-stroke spark-ignition engines. Two engine platforms were evaluated: a conventional single-cylinder two-stroke engine and a thermodynamically advanced opposed-piston two-stroke (OP2S) engine. The OP2S engine configuration offers reduced heat loss and higher power density due to its uniflow scavenging and favorable geometry, but suffers from high residual gas fraction, which increases ignition difficulty and combustion instability. To address this, nanosecond-pulsed PAI was applied in various spatial arrangements and discharge voltages, using both gasoline and a low-reactivity gasoline/DMC blend fuel. Spark ignition timing was held constant at the minimum advance for best torque across all tests. Combustion stability was assessed via indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) and its coefficient of variation, while CO and HC emissions were measured as environmental indicators
Liu, Jinru, Yamazaki, Yoshiaki, Otaki, Yusuke, Kato, Hayato, Kobayashi, Daichi, Umegaki, Tetsuo, Asai, Tomohiko, Iijima, Akira
Clarification of the Mechanism of Abnormal Combustion in Hydrogen Engines -Investigation of Abnormal Combustion Location by Visualization Measurement-2025-32-006411/3/2025
Hydrogen internal combustion engines present a promising path towards carbon neutrality, yet their development is challenged by abnormal combustion phenomena like backfire and pre-ignition. These phenomena limit engine torque and reduce component reliability. This study is aimed to elucidate the mechanisms behind these phenomena in hydrogen internal combustion engines. We utilized a multi-cylinder engine with optical access for direct high-speed imaging of in-cylinder processes to visualize backfire and pre-ignition. Initial analysis, combining visualization data with one-dimensional (1D) simulations, indicated that high temperatures of the ground electrode of the spark plug could be a key trigger factor for abnormal combustion. To investigate this hypothesis, the surface temperature of the ground electrode was measured under firing conditions using a two-color thermometry system. The measurements revealed that the electrode temperature exceeded the compressed gas temperature near Top
Muramatsu, Keiji, Tokuhara, Satoshi, Kadu, Pravin, Yoshimura, Kei, Nakama, Kenjiro
Analysis of Flame Propagation Characteristics in a Hydrogen Engine using an Optically Accessible Engine2025-32-006111/3/2025
This study focused on the effects of hydrogen on the flame propagation characteristics and combustion characteristics of a small spark-ignition engine. The combustion flame in the cylinder was observed using a side-valve engine that allowed optical access. The fundamental characteristics of hydrogen combustion were investigated based on combustion images photographed in the cylinder with a high-speed camera and measured cylinder pressure waveforms. Experiments were conducted under various ignition timings and equivalence ratios and comparisons were made with the characteristics of an existing hydrocarbon liquid fuel. The hydrogen flame was successfully photographed, although it has been regarded as being difficult to visualize, thus enabling calculation of the flame propagation speed. As a result, it was found that the flame propagation speed of hydrogen was much faster than that of the existing hydrocarbon fuel. On the other hand, it was difficult to photograph the hydrogen flame
Arai, Yuto, Ueno, Takamori, Suda, Ryosuke, Sato, Ryoichi, Nakao, Yoshinori, Ninomiya, Yoshinari, Matsushita, Koichiro, Kamio, Tomohiko, Iijima, Akira
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