Browse Topic: Gas engines

Items (593)
This paper focuses on the potential application of hydrogen fueled internal combustion engine (HICE) in the off-road market, examining HICE based on a diesel engine. In the transition to HICE, priority was given to compatibility with existing systems, minimizing changes from the base engine. By adopting a PFI (Port Fuel Injection) method for fuel injection, low-pressure hydrogen supply was achieved. To address the issue of backfire associated with PFI, optimization of injection pressure using a variable pressure control valve, along with adjustments to valve timing and injection timing, was implemented to suppress backflow of residual gases into the intake system and minimize hydrogen retention. Regarding pre-ignition, in addition to suppressing hotspots, the relationship between the homogenization of the air-fuel mixture and NOx emissions was examined, revealing a correlation. This engine was mounted on a generator, and efforts were made to improve the important characteristic of
Shiraishi, KentaroKishi, ShinjiKato, DaichiMitamura, KentaMurakami, KeiMikuni, Yusuke
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, NicHolzberger, SaschaHelms, SvenKettner, Maurice
Hydrogen fuel has garnered significant attention as a key method for adapting internal combustion engines to a carbon-neutral society. Hydrogen is a carbon-free fuel that does not produce CO2 emissions during combustion. However, its wide flammability range and extremely low ignition energy present technical challenges when applied to internal combustion engines, such as the frequent occurrence of abnormal combustion phenomena like pre-ignition and knocking. Furthermore, the low energy density of hydrogen makes it difficult to achieve high power output. Additionally, hydrogen’s high adiabatic flame temperature and short quenching distance result in increased NOx emissions and cooling loss, which are further obstacles to its use. To address these issues, this study focuses on methane blending as a remedial approach. Experiments were conducted using a naturally aspirated engine with a premixed intake method to investigate the effects of methane-hydrogen blending. The following key
Tanaka, KentaTani, ToshihiroSako, Takahiro
With the publication of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) III in 2022, the European Union increased its renewable energy consumption target to 42.5% by 2030. Consequently, gaseous fuels derived from renewable electricity, particularly green hydrogen, are expected to play a pivotal role in the decarbonization of the energy sector. One promising application of green hydrogen is its integration into combined heat and power (CHP) plants, where it can replace natural gas to reduce CO2 emissions. Pure hydrogen as fuel or blended with natural gas has demonstrated potential for lowering both pollutant emissions and fuel consumption while maintaining or even enhancing engine performance. But it is expected, that the amount of available green hydrogen will be limited in the beginning. So new engine systems with hydrogen and natural gas for CHP plants are required, that offer more CO2-benefit and NOx reductioon than from fuel substitution only. In the LeanStoicH2 project, a novel approach was
Salim, NaqibBeltaifa, YoussefKettner, Maurice
The debate over synthetic fuels is intense especially in sectors with a high energy demand like maritime [1, 2]. Hydrogen production from renewable sources is growing, but immediate measures for decarbonization are needed [3, 4]. In this context, the project MethMag was funded, and a gas engine for methane combustion with an innovative cooling concept and a purged prechamber (PC) spark plug was virtually developed [5, 6]. Validation with data from the test bench demonstrates that the simulations accurately represent the operating conditions [7, 8]. This combustion process is adapted for ammonia, which is being considered as a climate-friendly fuel of the future, particularly in maritime transportation [4, 9]. This fuel faces significant combustion challenges and is therefore mostly considered in complex, bivalent systems [10]. In particular, the prechamber is examined regarding the ignitability of ammonia. The overarching objective is to eliminate the necessity for a secondary fuel
Rothe, PaulBikas, GeorgiosMauss, Fabian
Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector is a significant challenge. A multi-technology approach is the most practical and sustainable solution for minimizing the environmental impact of road transport. Alternative gaseous fuels derivable from bio sources have the potential to significantly cut equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2eq) emissions from a Well-to-Wheel (WtW) perspective, and the development of technologies that allow to improve the efficiency of natural gas-powered Heavy Duty (HD) Spark Ignition (SI) engines is of strategic importance. In such applications, charge dilution strategies might have the potential to increase engine efficiency at a relatively low implementation cost. Diluting the in-cylinder charge can reduce fuel consumption by decreasing wall and pumping losses, and increasing the Heat Capacity Ratio (γ). The coupling with innovative technologies aimed at enhancing ignition energy, influencing combustion development, could be a promising
Di Domenico, DavideNapolitano, PierpaoloPapi, StefanoRicci, FedericoGolini, StefanoRapetto, NicolaGiordana, SergioBeatrice, Carlo
Large-bore spark-ignited engines equipped with individual cylinder injection systems require advanced balancing strategies to achieve optimal combustion performance and mitigate risks associated with abnormal combustion phenomena. The integration of highly reactive fuels, such as hydrogen, introduces additional challenges for high-power-density, low-speed engines. This study investigates closed-loop cylinder balancing strategies utilizing real-time cylinder pressure feedback to optimize engine operation. Key performance metrics were evaluated on a 20-cylinder medium speed stationary gas engine (8.5 MW electrical power) under eight different control strategies. The results indicate that the tested balancing methods reduce average knock intensity and variation of combustion peak pressure across all cylinders compared with original manufacturer control strategy. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that a well-balanced engine offers significant advantages, including enhanced power output
Martelli, AndréPenaranda, AlexanderMartinez, SantiagoZabeu, ClaytonSalvador, Roberto
The maritime industry is among the most energy-intensive sectors, and achieving fleet decarbonization is crucial to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As a transitional fuel, natural gas (NG) presents a viable short-to-midterm solution. Compared to conventional marine fuels, NG has the potential to lower carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 20–30%. However, to fully leverage this potential on carbon footprint reduction, substantial advancements in combustion technologies are required. One promising approach to enhance the efficiency of SI NG engines is the implementation of Passive Pre-Chamber (PPC) technology. This strategy enables leaner combustion, improving thermal efficiency, mitigating the occurrence of knocking, and reducing NOx emissions. This study presents both experimental and numerical investigations to analyze the impact of charge dilution and ignition timing on the performance and emissions of a single-cylinder prototype NG PPC SI engine for marine
Marchitto, LucaPesce, FrancescoAccurso, FrancescoTornatore, CinziaGorietti, ValentinaBuzzi, LucaGrosso, AlessandroLuci, MatteoNapolitano, PierpaoloPennino, VincenzoBeatrice, CARLODi Domenico, DavideGiardino, Angelo
The development of hydrogen fueled engines has dramatically accelerated in recent years. They have gained much in operating reliability and the specific power outputs is at least comparable to those of current natural gas engines. This has been made possible by combining specific development tools derived from the development of compression-ignition and spark-ignition engines. These include jet visualization techniques (Schlieren, PIV, and LIF), video endoscopy on engine, and 3-D fluid dynamics simulations. In hydrogen engines for commercial vehicles, efforts have so far been made to keep engine components as unchanged as possible from similar diesel or gasoline versions. Similarly, some manufacturers have favored the port fueled injection (PFI) solution because it is easier to implement than the in-cylinder (DI) injection one. The present work concerns the evaluation of the further improvement potential made possible by using direct injection (DI) technology, and intervening on both
Gaballo, Maria RosariaIacobazzi, MarinoBurtsche, ThomasCornetti, Giovanni
A former diesel heavy-duty engine was retrofitted to hydrogen operation to simultaneously facilitate the shift from fossil to renewable fuels and maximize the quantity of reusable engine parts. Simply changing the fuel in this case does not make a properly working engine; the burning process needs to be realized in a premixed flame regime, rather than a diffusional flame regime. Therefore, an additional ignition source is necessary. A well-known characteristic of hydrogen is the low need for ignition energy and the wide range of ignitable air/ fuel ratios. Both must be considered to reach a diesel engine equivalent performance. Port fuel injection (PFI) and direct injection (DI) are commonly used in spark-ignited internal combustion engines. Some disadvantages, such as weak volumetric efficiency and combustion abnormal phenomena like backfire, are connected to PFI. To further improve the volumetric efficiency, high boost pressures are needed. To maximize volumetric efficiency with DI
Rößlhuemer, RaphaelFellner, FelixFitz, PatrickPrager, MaximilianJaensch, Malte
Pre-chambers, in general, represent an established technology for combustion acceleration by increasing the available ignition energy. Realizing rapid fuel conversion facilitates mixture dilution extension with satisfying combustion stability. More importantly, knock-induced spark retarding can be circumvented, thus reducing emissions and increasing efficiency at high engine loads. Adapted valve actuation and split injections were investigated for this study to enhance the gas exchange of a passive pre-chamber igniter in a single-cylinder engine. The findings support the development of passive pre-chamber ignition systems operable over the whole engine map for passenger vehicles. There are two configurations of pre-chamber igniters: passive pre-chambers and scavenged pre-chambers. This study focuses on the passive design, incorporating an additional small volume around the spark plug into the cylinder head. Hot jets exit this volume after the ignition onset through several orifices
Fellner, FelixHärtl, MartinJaensch, Malte
The braking safety of heavy-duty vehicles is widely concerned. This paper proposed a new purely mechanical transmitted OHC two-stroke braking device. The rigid–flexible coupled dynamics model of the device and the engine working process simulation model were used for joint simulation. The effects of CR lift, environmental conditions, compression ratio, and braking type on the engine braking performance were comprehensively evaluated. The result shows: good consistency of valve operation is obtained by using pure mechanical transmission. During the braking process, the in-cylinder pressure acts directly on the valves and significantly affects the maximum valve lift of the CR phase, therefore excessive in-cylinder pressure will reduce the reliability of the braking device. When the CR lift increases from 1.9 to 2.8 mm, the braking power per liter increases at low altitude, but first increases and then decreases at high altitude. The decrease in engine speed and compression ratio as well
Cui, JingchenWang, BingTian, HuaTian, JiangpingLong, Wuqiang
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a popular alternative fuel in the transportation sector as a result of its favorable physical and chemical properties, availability, and relatively lower emissions compared to conventional fuels. However, much of its use is currently in light-duty applications, usually in manifold or port-injected configurations primarily due to their simplicity and ease of conversion. However, there are shortfalls in heavy-duty applications where decarbonization efforts are direly needed. The key reasons for this shortfall in alternative fuel adoption in the heavy-duty sector are the deficit in engine performance when compared to conventional heavy-duty diesel engines and the lack of specialized hardware to bridge this performance gap, for example, direct injectors optimized for LPG fuel operation on large-bore engines. To address this, this study evaluated the performance, emissions, and combustion characteristics of a heavy-duty single-cylinder research engine, the
Fosudo, ToluwalaseWindom, BretOlsen, Daniel
Ozone (O3) was introduced into the intake air in a natural gas fueled engine ignited by micro-pilot of diesel fuel, to utilize the reactive O-radicals decomposed from the O3 for the promotion of the combustion and for improvements in the thermal efficiency and exhaust emissions. Experiments were carried out in a single cylinder engine to elucidate the effects of the ozone addition under the lean burn conditions. A supercharger was employed to increase the intake air amount and vary the equivalence ratio of natural gas. The experimental results showed that the O3 addition has a limited effect on the ignition of the diesel fuel injected near top dead center, while the heat release during the flame propagation in the natural gas/air mixture was increased at the lower equivalence ratio of natural gas. Further the ignition of natural gas was promoted, resulting in the increase of the combustion efficiency and the degree of constant volume heat release. The cooling loss and the NOx emissions
Kobashi, YoshimitsuMiyata, ShokiKawahara, NobuyukiInagaki, Ryuya
In a pre-chamber engine, fuel in the main-chamber is ignited and combusted by the combustion gas injected from the pre-chamber. Therefore, further fuel dilution is possible and thermal efficiency can be also improved. However, adding a pre-chamber to an engine increases the number of design parameters which have a significant impact on the main combustion and the exhaust gas. Then, in this study, the optimum geometry of the pre-chamber in an active pre-chamber gas engine was investigated. The considered parameters were the volume of pre-chamber, the diameter of a nozzle hole, and the number of nozzle holes. 18 types of pre-chambers with different geometries were prepared. Using these pre-chambers, engine experiments under steady conditions were conducted while changing the conditions such as engine speeds, mean indicated pressure and air excess ratio. Based on the experimental data, neural network models were constructed that predict thermal efficiency, NOx and CO emissions from the
Yasuda, KotaroYamasaki, YudaiSako, TakahiroTakashima, YoshitaneSuzuki, Kenta
The use of hydrogen as a sustainable fuel in the short term is hampered by the impossibility of large scale use due low availability. In order to promote decarbonization, complementary solution for a smooth transition is to dilute it in a mixture with methane, in a current Port Fuel Injection (PFI) internal combustion engine (ICE). This can be done as a retrofit after limited structural modifications, such as the introduction of a passive prechamber. Such a solution allows a reduction of the carbon footprint of traditional ICEs through more efficient combustion (both the prechamber technology and the hydrogen fuel properties promote an increase in combustion speed) and a reduced carbon content in the fuel. The present research activity has been carried out through numerical investigation based on three-dimensional CFD analyses to simulate the behavior of a natural gas engine fueled with CH4-H2 blends. The combustion mechanism for the fuel blend was validated against measurements of the
Balduzzi, FrancescoFerrara, GiovanniDi Iorio, SilvanaSementa, Paolo
In the ongoing effort to decarbonize energy supply, a notable shift involves the conversion or retrofitting of combined heat and power plants to operate on hydrogen as an alternative to natural gas. In this transformative landscape, extensive research is underway to develop and explore innovative combustion processes for hydrogen-fueled engines, aiming to comprehend and optimize combustion processes concerning both engine performance and emissions. Among the various methods available for monitoring the combustion process and engine control, ion current sensing presents itself as a viable option. A unique feature of this research lies in utilizing the engine's spark plug itself as an electrical sensor, measuring the ion current generated during the flame development and combustion processes. Given the limited research on ion current sensing for hydrogen combustion processes, a series of experiments were conducted and presented in this work. These experiments involved sweeps of water-to
Salim, NaqibBeltaifa, YoussefKettner, MauriceLoose, OliverWeißgerber, Tycho
The Tour engine is a novel split-cycle internal combustion engine (ICE) that divides the four-stroke Otto cycle of a conventional ICE between two separate cylinders, an intake and compression cylinder and a second expansion and exhaust cylinder, interconnected by an innovative charge transfer mechanism. The engine working fluid, air and fuel, is inducted into the engine and compressed by a dedicated compression cylinder, transferred with minimal pressure loss via an input port to a specifically designed combined spool shuttle transfer mechanism and combustion chamber. It is then ignited and then transferred from the combustion chamber via an exit port to a separate expansion cylinder where it is expanded and exhausted from the engine. The primary advantage of the Tour engine is that it provides the engineering freedom to independently design, control and optimize the compression, combustion, and expansion processes within a slider-crank piston engine. By decoupling the compression
Tour, OdedCho, KukwonHofman, YehoramAnderson, BradleyKemmet, RyanMorris, DanielWahl, MichaelBhanage, PratikSivan, EhudTour, GiladAtkinson, ChrisTour, Hugo
Combining a low-carbon content fuel, such as natural gas, with a high-efficiency engine can reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly in hard-to-electrify long-haul trucking applications. Turbo-compounding, where an additional power turbine is installed in the exhaust stream after the turbocharger turbine, can extract useful amounts of energy from diesel engine exhaust at high loads. This work assesses the net benefits of combining turbo-compounding with a high-efficiency, natural gas fuelled heavy-duty engine. The effects on brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), greenhouse gas emissions, and engine-out emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and methane (CH4) are considered. The experimentally validated 1D model for a 13L diesel pilot- direct injection of natural gas, heavy-duty engine in GT-SUITETM is used to develop a series turbo-compound model. The effects of turbine sizes and flow capacities in fixed-geometry turbocharging and power turbines are evaluated on the engine’s
Balazadeh, NavidMunshi, SandeepShahbakhti, MahdiMcTaggart-Cowan, Gordon
In cogeneration system, the pre-chamber natural gas engine adopts combustion technologies such as ultra-high supercharged lean burn and Miller cycle to increase the theoretical efficiency by increasing the specific heat ratio and the mechanical efficiency by improving the specific power. In recent years, the use of hydrogen fuel has been attracting attention in order to achieve carbon neutrality, and it is required to operate existing high-efficiency natural gas engines by appropriately mixing hydrogen. For this purpose, it is important to have natural gas and hydrogen co-combustion technology that allows combustion at any mixture ratio without major modifications. The authors mixed hydrogen into the fuel of an ultra-high supercharged lean burn pre-chamber natural gas engine (Bore size: 200mm) that has already achieved high efficiency and performed combustion experiments at BMEP (Brake mean effective pressure) of 2 MPa or more. The engine load and hydrogen mixture ratio were used as
Morikawa, KojiKimura, ShinSakai, ShunyaMoriyoshi, Yasuo
Pre-chamber combustion is an advanced ignition strategy that has been shown to enhance spark ignition (SI) combustion stability in natural gas (NG) engines by providing distributed ignition sites from turbulent jets and enhancing main-chamber turbulence. Pre-chamber combustion has been proven especially advantageous compared to SI in ultra-lean and dilute operating conditions. This work involves experimental investigation of the effects of varying passive pre-chamber nozzle configuration on pre-chamber and main chamber combustion under simulated exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) dilution (0 and 20%) conditions in a heavy-duty, single-cylinder, optically accessible NG engine at stoichiometric fuel-air ratio. Pre-chamber nozzle configurations include four pre-chambers with constant nozzle area to pre-chamber volume ratio (A/V) with different nozzle sizes and orientations and one configuration with larger nozzles. The optical engine is operated in a skip-fire sequence consisting of 18
Dhotre, AkashNyrenstedt, GustavRajasegar, RajavasanthVarma, ArunSingh, SatbirNorthrop, WilliamSrna, Ales
Decarbonized or low carbon fuels, such as hydrogen/methane blends, can be used in internal combustion engines to support ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals worldwide, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. However, as the volumetric concentration of H2 in these fuel blends surpasses 30%, the in-cylinder flame propagation and combustion rates increase significantly, causing an unacceptable increase in nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, which is known to have substantial negative effects on human health and the environment. This rise in engine-out NOx emissions is a major concern, limiting the use of H2 fuels as a means to reduce GHG emissions from both mobile and stationary power generation engines. In this study, an experimental investigation of the combustion performance and emissions characteristics of a 4th generation Tour split-cycle engine was undertaken while operating on 100% methane and various hydrogen/methane fuel blends (30%, 40%, and 50% by volume
Bhanage, PratikCho, KukwonAnderson, BradleyKemmet, RyanTour, GiladAtkinson, ChrisTour, HugoTour, Oded
This study introduces a probabilistic analysis approach to evaluate the gear tooth strength for the hypocycloid engines, which are particularly significant in internal combustion (IC) engine applications due to their unique design and critical requirements for both efficiency and durability. The research utilizes the stress–strength interference (SSI) theory within a “design for reliability” framework to develop a robust methodology for designing the internal gear mechanism required for the hypocycloid gear mechanism (HGM) engine, in accordance with American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) standard gear rating practices. This approach incorporates probabilistic factors to address variations in HGM component parameters, gear material properties, and engine operational conditions. To validate the design and ensure accuracy, a finite element method (FEM)-based verification is employed, to identify potential failure points and enhance the overall reliability of the HGM engine. The
ElBahloul, Mostafa A.Aziz, ELsayed S.Chassapis, Constantin
The efficiency of combustion has a major impact on the performance and emission characteristics of a spark-ignited LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) engine. The shape of the combustion chamber determines the homogeneous charge intake velocity, which is crucial for the turbulent motion that encourages flame propagation and quickens combustion. It need the right amount of compression ratio, charge squish velocity and turbulent kinetic energy to sustain combustion and propel laminar flames. There are a number of names for the motion of the charge within the cylinder: swirl, squish, tumble and turbulence. All of these terms affect how air and fuel are mixed and burned. Piston shape affects in-cylinder motion, which in turn reduces fuel consumption and improves combustion characteristics. The shape of the piston quench zone has a substantial impact on the charge velocity inside the combustion chamber. The impact on charge motion was analyzed using computer modeling using STAR-CD on pentroof
Sagaya Raj, GnanaR L, KrupakaranPasupuleti, ThejasreeNatarajan, Manikandan
Closed-loop combustion control is highly beneficial for improving the efficiency and reducing the emissions of spark ignition internal combustion engines. In this paper, the key parameter (CA50) of closed-loop combustion control and its effect on the combustion and emissions were explored experimentally in a six-cylinder hydrogen enriched compressed natural gas (HCNG) engine. Moreover, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) back propagation neural network (BPNN) algorithm improved by various hybrid strategies was employed for CA50 prediction. The experimental results reveal that CA50 has a significant impact on the combustion characteristics and emissions of the HCNG engine. Meanwhile, statistical analysis illustrates that CA50 follows a normal distribution and has no self-correlation. Considering the one-to-one correspondence between CA50 and the spark timing, it is suitable to select CA50 as the feedback parameter. The simulation results indicate that the CA50 prediction model
Duan, HaoYan, YuRen, XianfengYin, XiaojunWang, JinhuaZeng, Ke
In the global scenario marked by the increasing environmental awareness and the necessity on reducing pollutant emission to achieve the decarbonization goals, action plans are being proposed by policy makers to reduce the impact of the climate change, mainly affecting the sectors that most contribute to CO2 emissions such as transportation and power generation. In this sense, by virtue of the National Energy Plan 2050, the Brazilian market will undergo the decommissioning of thermal power plants fueled by diesel and heavy fuel oil (HFO) by 2030, compromising about 6.7 GW of power capacity according to the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL) database. An alternative to the scrapping of these engine power plants is their conversion to operate with fuels with a lower carbon footprint, such as the natural gas. This work, therefore, aims to numerically assess the conversion feasibility of a HFO large bore four-stroke turbocharged engine to operate with natural gas by means of a
Gonçalves, Vinícius FernandezZabeu, Clayton BarcelosAntolini, JácsonSalvador, RobertoAlmeida, RogérioValiati, Allan SoaresFilho, Guenther Carlos Krieger
Accurate flywheel torque estimation in combustion engines can be used for monitoring engine performance, creating the potential for lowering emissions and fuel costs. Recently a method was proposed to determine the mean flywheel torque from instantaneous engine speed using the n-th order Fourier series, where n is the number of cylinders firing per crank revolution. However, instantaneous engine speed is affected by two separate torque contributions. The torque resulting from reciprocating masses in the engine, i.e., reciprocating torque, and the torque produced by combustion pressure, i.e., gas torque. Gas torque and reciprocating torque signals have the same frequency but are in opposite phases. Since the resultant torque at the flywheel is the sum of gas and reciprocating torques, there is a need to remove reciprocating torque from the total torque at the flywheel. This requires knowing whether gas or reciprocating torque has a larger amplitude. Here, a method is proposed to
Ely, NathanIddum, VivekGhantasala, MuralidharMeyer, Richard T.
Hydrogen-powered mobility is believed to be crucial in the future, as hydrogen constitutes a promising solution to make up for the non-programmable character of the renewable energy sources. In this context, the hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine represents one of the suitable technical solution for the future sustainable mobility. In a short-term perspective, the development of the green hydrogen production capability and distribution infrastructure do not allow a substantial penetration of pure hydrogen IC engines. For this reason, natural gas – hydrogen blends can represent a first significant step towards decarbonization, also determining a trigger effect on the hydrogen market development. The present paper is focused on the analysis of the combustion and performance characteristics of a production PFI natural gas engine, run on blends with 15% in volume of hydrogen (HCNG). More specifically, a fuel-flexible, predictive 1D simulation model has been developed within the
Baratta, MirkoDi Mascio, ValerioMisul, DanielaMarinoni, AndreaCerri, TarcisioOnorati, Angelo
The lack of a homogeneous air-fuel mixture in internal combustion engines is a major cause of pollutant emissions, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC). This paper focuses on the design, simulation, and testing of a modified air intake pipe for a gas engine, incorporating deflectors to induce a swirl effect in the air-fuel mixture. To determine the optimal configuration for the deflectors and the diameter of the air intake pipe, several Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted. The best results were then tested on a real gas engine. The primary objective of this study is to offer a solution for increasing the homogeneity level of the air-fuel mixture in gas engines, without requiring significant changes to engine components. In this case, achieving this goal involves only relatively small modifications to the air intake pipe. The results indicate that the swirl effect effectively enhances the homogeneity of the air-fuel mixture by generating higher
Gutierrez, MarcosTaco, Diana
Hexagon Agility announced a collaboration with Norwegian EV transmission supplier Brudeli Green Mobility at the 2024 ACT Expo in Las Vegas. The partnership's goal is the integration of Hexagon Agility's CNG/RNG (compressed/renewable natural gas) systems with Brudeli's plug-in PowerHybrid system. This technology will reportedly offer fleets the capability to maintain diesel ICE duty cycles while providing fuel cost savings and help OEMs achieve global decarbonization goals. “The Brudeli PowerHybrid enables fleet owners to retain the power, performance and fuel cost savings offered by natural gas engines, while simultaneously harnessing the efficiencies of electric,” said Eric Bippus, EVP sales & systems development, Hexagon Agility. “We believe hybrids could play a role in commercial trucking in the future, and we are excited to take an active role bringing that to the market.”
Wolfe, Matt
The study demonstrates the possibility and in particular the method to derive the efficiency of the entire fuel cell power system by measuring specific data of the recirculation path of the anode circuit of a fuel cell system. The results demonstrate the capabilities of the existing test rig and enable investigations on the suitability of auxiliary components. This study focuses on the hydrogen recirculation path equipped with multiple sensors and a needle valve to enable the required operating conditions of the fuel cell. Running a startup load profile without reaching the equilibrium state at all steps, the dynamic of the system and the requirements to the sensor parameters, such as sampling rate and precision, was seen. Additionally, it became obvious that the recirculation pump used is oversized, but a load point shift compensated this artifact. In detail, the stoichiometry and the efficiency of the entire system was evaluated. It was seen that the hydrogen concentration is
Allmendinger, FrankMartin, BenediktSchmidtmann, Marlen
The reduction of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and ever stricter regulations on pollutant emissions in the transport sector require research and development of new, climate-friendly propulsion concepts. The use of renewable hydrogen as a fuel for internal combustion engines promises to provide a good solution especially for commercial vehicles. For optimum efficiency of the combustion process, hydrogen-specific engine components are required, which need to be tested on the test bench and analysed in simulation studies. This paper deals with the simulation-based investigation and optimisation of fuel injection in a 6-cylinder PFI commercial vehicle engine, which has been modified for hydrogen operation starting from a natural gas engine concept. The focus of the study is on a CNG-derived manifold design which has been adapted with regard to the injector interface and is already equipped with so-called gas injection guiding tubes for targeted fuel injection in front of the
Jung, Philipp EmanuelGuenthner, MichaelWalter, Nicolas
Fossil fuels such as natural gas used in engines still play an important role worldwide which however is also exacerbating climate change as a result of carbon dioxide emissions. Although natural gas engines show an overall low pollutant emissions level, methane slip due to incomplete combustion occurs, causing methane emissions with a more than 20 times higher global warming potential than CO2. Additionally, further tightening of emissions legislation is to be expected bringing methane emissions even more into focus making exhaust gas aftertreatment issues remain relevant. For lean gas applications, (Pd)-based catalysts turned out to convert CH4 most efficiently usually being supported by metal oxides such as aluminium oxide (Al2O3). Water (H2O) contained in the exhaust gas causes strong inhibition on Pd catalysts. In real exhaust gases, not only water vapour but also pollutants and sulphur-containing compounds such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S) or sulphur oxides (SOx) are poisoning the
Tomin, SebastianWagner, UweKoch, Thomas
In response to global climate change, there is a widespread push to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector. For the difficult to decarbonize heavy-duty (HD) vehicle sector, hybridization and lower carbon-intensity fuels can offer a low-cost, near-term solution for CO2 reduction. The use of natural gas can provide such an alternative for HD vehicles while the increasing availability of renewable natural gas affords the opportunity for much deeper reductions in net-CO2 emissions. With this in consideration, the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory launched the Natural Gas Vehicle Research and Development Project to stimulate advancements in technology and availability of natural gas vehicles. As part of this program, Southwest Research Institute developed a hybrid-electric medium-HD vehicle (class 6) to demonstrate a substantial CO2 reduction over the baseline diesel vehicle and ultra-low NOx emissions. The development included the conversion of a 5.2 L diesel engine to
Wallace, JulianMitchell, RobertRao, SandeshJones, KevinKramer, DustinWang, YanyuChambon, PaulSjovall, ScottWilliams, D. Ryan
Stoichiometric natural gas (CNG) engines are an attractive solution for heavy-duty vehicles considering their inherent advantage in emitting lower CO2 emissions compared to their Diesel counterparts. Additionally, their aftertreatment system can be simpler and less costly as NOx reduction is handled simultaneously with CO/HC oxidation by a Three-Way Catalyst (TWC). The conversion of methane over a TWC shows a complex behavior, significantly different than non-methane hydrocarbons in stoichiometric gasoline engines. Its performance is maximized in a narrow A/F window and is strongly affected by the lean/rich cycling frequency. Experimental and simulation results indicate that lean-mode efficiency is governed by the palladium’s oxidation state while rich conversion is governed by the gradual formation of carbonaceous compounds which temporarily deactivate the active materials. Lean/rich cycling around stoichiometry enables a higher CH4 oxidation as the oxygen storage seems to balance the
Karamitros, DimitriosIbraimova, AdjerKonstantinidis, KonstantinosKoltsakis, GrigoriosChoi, SungmuCho, Jiho
Given the spread of natural gas engines in low-term toward decarbonization and the growing interest in gaseous mixtures as well as the use of hydrogen in Heavy-Duty (HD) engines, appropriate strategies are needed to maximize thermal efficiency and achieve near-zero emissions from these propulsor systems. In this context, some phenomena related to real-world driving operations, such as engine cut-off or misfire, can lead to inadequate control of the Air-to-Fuel ratio, key factor for Three-Way Catalyst (TWC) efficiency. Goal of the present research activity is to investigate the performance of a bio-methane-fueled HD engine and its Aftertreatment System (ATS), consisting of a Three-Way Catalyst, at different Air-to-Fuel ratio. An experimental test bench characterization, in different operating conditions of the engine workplan, was carried out to evaluate the catalyst reactivity to a defined pattern of the Air-to-Fuel ratio. Through the detection of key performance parameters and
Di Maio, DarioGuido, ChiaraNapolitano, PierpaoloBeatrice, Carlo
An experimental study of the spark ignition process for SI engines was conducted to study spark plug erosion and the effect of breakdown voltage/energy on electrode surface deformation. The experiments were conducted outside of an engine, in both a pressurized constant volume optical chamber and in a high-pressure vessel heated within a furnace with gas temperatures as high as 730°C. J-gap spark plugs designed for natural gas engines were studied at elevated temperature and under a range of pressures to investigate electrode wear characteristics. Both iridium-alloy and platinum-alloy cathode (center electrode) and anode (ground strap) spark plugs were investigated. In addition, single spark events were performed on polished platinum cathode surfaces to allow the visualization of craters from individual spark events in order to quantify how their size and shape were affected by energy deposition and breakdown characteristics. The spark plug electrodes were investigated using optical
Tambasco, CoreyHall, MatthewMatthews, Ron
A potential route to reduce CO2 emissions from heavy-duty trucks is to combine low-carbon fuels and a hybrid-electric powertrain to maximize overall efficiency. A hybrid electric powertrain can reduce the peak power required from the internal combustion engine, leading to opportunities to reduce the engine size but still meet vehicle performance requirements. Although engine downsizing in the light-duty sector can offer significant fuel economy savings mainly due to increased part-load efficiency, its benefits and downsides in heavy-duty engines are less clear. As there has been limited published research in this area to date, there is a lack of a standardized engine downsizing procedure. This paper uses an experimentally validated one-dimensional phenomenological combustion model in a commercial engine simulation software GT-SUITE™ alongside turbocharger scaling methods to develop downsized engines from a baseline 6cyl (2.1 L/cyl, 26 kW/L) pilot-ignition, direct-injection natural gas
Balazadeh, NavidMunshi, SandeepShahbakhti, MahdiMcTaggart-Cowan, Gordon
A linear parameter-varying model predictive control (LPVMPC) is proposed to enhance the longitudinal vehicle speed control of a gas-engine vehicle, with potential application in autonomous vehicles. To achieve this objective, an advanced vehicle dynamic model and a sophisticated fuel consumption model are derived, forming a control-oriented model for the proposed control system. The vehicle dynamic model accurately captures the motions of the tires and the vehicle body. The fuel consumption model incorporates new powertrain modes such as automatic engine stop/start, active fuel management, and deceleration fuel cut-off, etc. The performance of the proposed LPV-MPC is evaluated by comparing it to a PID controller. Both simulation tests and vehicle-in-the-loop tests demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed controller. The results indicate that the LPV-MPC provides improved longitudinal vehicle speed control and reduced fuel consumption.
Chang, InsuKarnjate, Timothy
In order to scrutinize the timing variables impacting the combustion performance and emissions of the Port Fuel Injection hydrogen engine (PFI-H2ICE), a model of a four-cylinder hydrogen engine is meticulously built utilizing the 1D software GT-POWER. The effect of excess air coefficients and timing strategies (including the intake valve opening timing (IVO), the start of injection timing (SOI), and ignition timing) is analyzed in this study. The main conclusions are as follows: The hydrogen engine remold from the Isuzu JE4N28 nature gas engine manifests a lean combustion threshold ranging between 2.0 and 2.5. Notably, advancing intake valve opening timing by 20°CA has proven beneficial to the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of the hydrogen engine while reducing the NOx emissions by a substantial margin, and advancing intake valve opening timing bears the virtue of strengthen the positive influence of the start of injection timing upon the engine's combustion performance. The longer the
Hu, ZhiyuanYin, LiZhang, YunhuaLou, DimingTan, PiqiangLiu, Dengcheng
The widely accepted best practice for spark-ignition combustion is the four-valve pent-roof chamber using a central sparkplug and incorporating tumble flow during the intake event. The bulk tumble flow readily breaks up during the compression stroke to fine-scale turbulent kinetic energy desired for rapid, robust combustion. The natural gas engines used in medium- and heavy-truck applications would benefit from a similar, high-tumble pent-roof combustion chamber. However, these engines are invariably derived from their higher-volume diesel counterparts, and the production volumes are insufficient to justify the amount of modification required to incorporate a pent-roof system. The objective of this multi-dimensional computational study was to develop a combustion chamber addressing the objectives of a pent-roof chamber while maintaining the flat firedeck and vertical valve orientation of the diesel engine. A new combustion chamber was designed based on a commercial 11-liter natural gas
Hoag, KevinWray, ChristopherCallahan, Timothy J.Lu, QilongGilbert, IanAbidin, Zainal
TOC
Tobolski, Sue
Hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2ICE) offer a cost-effective solution to decarbonize transport by combining a lower carbon intensity fuel with mature and established internal combustion engine technology. While vehicles running with hydrogen have been demonstrated over the years, this fuel's physical and chemical properties require modifications and upgrades on the vehicle from an engine and system-level perspective. In addition, market-specific regulatory and economic factors can also constrain the realization of optimal hydrogen powertrain architectures. Therefore, this paper reviews the impact of hydrogen use on combustion, injection, air management, and after-treatment systems, indicating the different strategies used to enable effective H2ICE strategies from an efficiency, cost, and safety standpoint. Specifically, swirl and tumble-based combustion systems using port fuel injection, low-pressure, and high-pressure direct injection are discussed to review performance, cost
Sari, RafaelShah, AshishKumar, PraveenCleary, DavidRairikar, SandeepSonawane, Shailesh BalkrishnaThipse, Sukrut S
Emissions regulation continually drives the automotive industry to innovate and develop. This pushes to introduce mechanism to maintain negative crankcase pressure in gas engine to meet this changing regulation. The way a turbocharger is used, to meet engine performance, can impact the pressure balance over the compressor and turbine end seals. This pressure difference can allow oil to leak through turbocharger seals. In normal engine operating condition the pressure in the turbocharger end housings is higher than the bearing housing and oil/gas flows into the bearing housing, through the oil drain to the crankcase. Under certain operating conditions, such as low idle and motoring, this pressure difference can be reversed with a higher bearing housing pressure than the pressure behind the turbine wheel. Under this condition oil will flow out of the bearing housing to the recess behind the turbine wheel, will increase the exhaust tail pipe emission, high oil consumption and damages the
R, Mahesh Bharathi
Accurately predicting the trend of aero-engine gas path parameters is crucial for ensuring safe flight and enabling condition-based maintenance. However, the demanding and uncertain service environment introduces challenges in dealing with the noisy and non-stationary data collected by engine gas path sensors. Traditional time series models struggle to accurately predicts parameter trends, resulting in insufficient fitting and prediction accuracy. In this paper, we address these challenges by leveraging the characteristics of engine post-flight data and introducing Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), a type of artificial neural network in deep learning. We construct both single-feature input and multi-feature input LSTM prediction models for six key indicators of engine gas path performance. We analyze the models' capabilities for single-step and multistep predictions. To evaluate the effectiveness of our approach, we compare the LSTM model with the traditional Autoregressive Moving Average
Liu, YuanChen, XiaonanLin, ZhouWang, Yi-shouZhou, QifengQing, Xinlin
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