Comparative Analysis of EGR and Air Dilution in Spark-Ignited Natural Gas Engines

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Glewen ◽  
Chris Hoops ◽  
Joel Hiltner ◽  
Michael Flory
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Power Density ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Gas Temperature ◽  
Natural Gas Engines ◽  
Cycle Simulation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Charge Mixture ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Three Way Catalyst

Industrial natural gas engines are used in a wide range of applications, each with unique requirements in terms of power density, initial cost, thermal efficiency, and other factors. As a result of these requirements, distinct engine designs have evolved to serve various applications. Heavy-duty spark-ignited engines can generally be divided into two broad categories based on their charge characteristics and method of emissions control. Stoichiometric engines are widely used in applications where first cost, absolute emissions and relative engine simplicity are more important than fuel consumption. In most of the developed world, stoichiometric engines are equipped with a three-way catalyst to control emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) as well as products of incomplete combustion and raw unburned fuel. Dilution of the charge mixture with excess air reduces the peak combustion gas temperature and associated heat rejection. As a result, lean burn engines are generally able to achieve higher efficiency and power density without inducing excessive component temperatures or end gas knock. NOx formation is mitigated by the reduced gas temperatures, such that most regulatory standards can currently be met in-cylinder. Significant obstacles exist to meeting more stringent future emissions regulations in this manner, however. Another possible strategy is to dilute the charge mixture with recirculated exhaust gas. This offers similar benefits as air dilution while maintaining the ability to use a three-way catalyst for emissions after-treatment. While similar principles apply in either case, the choice of diluent can have a significant impact on knock resistance, emissions formation, thermal efficiency, and other parameters of importance to engine developers and operators. This work aimed to examine the unique characteristics of EGR and air dilution from a thermodynamic and combustion perspective. A combination of cycle simulation tools and experimental data from a single-cylinder test engine was applied to demonstrate the impact of diluent properties on a fundamental level, and to illustrate departures from idealized behavior and practical considerations specific to the development of combustion systems for spark-ignited natural gas engines.

Formaldehyde Formation in Large Bore Engines Part 2: Factors Affecting Measured CH2O

1999 ◽  
Vol 122 (4) ◽  
pp. 611-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel B. Olsen ◽  
Charles E. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Natural Gas Engines ◽  
Spark Timing ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Hazardous Air Pollutant ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact

Current research shows that the only hazardous air pollutant of significance emitted from large bore natural gas engines is formaldehyde CH2O. A literature review on formaldehyde formation is presented focusing on the interpretation of published test data and its applicability to large bore natural gas engines. The relationship of formaldehyde emissions to that of other pollutants is described. Formaldehyde is seen to have a strong correlation to total hydrocarbon (THC) level in the exhaust. It is observed that the ratio of formaldehyde to THC concentration is roughly 1.0–2.5 percent for a very wide range of large bore engines and operating conditions. The impact of engine operating parameters, load, rpm, spark timing, and equivalence ratio, on formaldehyde emissions is also evaluated. [S0742-4795(00)01004-8]

Effects of Spark Plug Number and Location in Natural Gas Engines

1992 ◽  
Vol 114 (3) ◽  
pp. 475-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Meyer ◽  
D. P. Meyers ◽  
S. R. King ◽  
W. E. Liss
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Cylinder Pressure ◽  
Natural Gas Engines ◽  
Single Cylinder Engine ◽  
Spark Plug ◽  
Combustion Duration ◽  
Peak Cylinder Pressure ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pressure Peak

Combustion experiments were conducted on a spark-ignited single-cylinder engine operating on natural gas. A special open chamber cylinder head was designed to accept as many as four spark plugs. Data were obtained to investigate the effects of spark plug quantity and location on NOx, HC, CO emissions, brake and indicated thermal efficiency, MBT timing, combustion duration, ignition delay, peak cylinder pressure, peak cylinder temperature, and heat release over a wide range of equivalence ratios.

scholarly journals Efficiency Reduction in Stirling Engines Resulting from Sinusoidal Motion

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Ranieri ◽  
Gilberto Prado ◽  
Brendan MacDonald
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Heat Sources ◽  
Sinusoidal Motion ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Stirling Engines ◽  
Isothermal Analysis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Alpha Type ◽  
The Ideal

Stirling engines have a high potential to produce renewable energy due to their ability to use a wide range of sustainable heat sources, such as concentrated solar thermal power and biomass, and also due to their high theoretical efficiencies. They have not yet achieved widespread use and commercial Stirling engines have had reduced efficiencies compared to their ideal values. In this work we show that a substantial amount of the reduction in efficiency is due to the operation of Stirling engines using sinusoidal motion and quantify this reduction. A discrete model was developed to perform an isothermal analysis of a 100cc alpha-type Stirling engine with a 90 ∘ phase angle offset, to demonstrate the impact of sinusoidal motion on the net work and thermal efficiency in comparison to the ideal cycle. For the specific engine analyzed, the maximum thermal efficiency of the sinusoidal cycle was found to have a limit of 34.4%, which is a reduction of 27.1% from Carnot efficiency. The net work of the sinusoidal cycle was found to be 65.9% of the net work from the ideal cycle. The model was adapted to analyze beta and gamma-type Stirling configurations, and the analysis revealed similar reductions due to sinusoidal motion.

scholarly journals Fuel-to-air ratio control under short-circuit conditions through UEGO sensor signal analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 1577-1583
Author(s):  
Carlos Guardiola ◽  
Benjamín Pla ◽  
Marcelo Real ◽  
Cyril Travaillard ◽  
Frederic Dambricourt
Keyword(s):  
Signal Analysis ◽  
Equivalence Ratio ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Frequency Content ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Three Way Catalyst

The impact of short-circuit pulses on the after-treatment system of a spark-ignited engine must be taken into account to keep the fuel-to-air equivalence ratio within the three-way catalyst window, thereby reducing pollutant emissions. The fuel-to-air equivalence ratio overestimation that suffers the wide-range λ-sensor upstream three-way catalyst in the presence of short circuit is especially relevant. In this study, a novel approach to deal with the fuel-to-air equivalence ratio control under short-circuit conditions is introduced. Under this scope, this work proposes a strategy for the on-board correction of the aforementioned fuel-to-air equivalence ratio overestimation, by means of the information regarding short-circuit level that provides the frequency content of the λ-sensor at the engine frequency. Finally, the potential of this approach to minimize pollutant emissions, in particular the NO x penalty arisen as a consequence of running the engine under leaner conditions than expected, is assessed through experimental tests.

scholarly journals Modeling of Three-Way Catalyst Dynamics for a Compressed Natural Gas Engine during Lean–Rich Transitions

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (21) ◽  
pp. 4610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario Di Maio ◽  
Carlo Beatrice ◽  
Valentina Fraioli ◽  
Pierpaolo Napolitano ◽  
Stefano Golini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Catalytic Converter ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Oxygen Storage ◽  
Continuous Control ◽  
Engine Exhaust ◽  
Compressed Natural Gas ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Three Way Catalyst

The main objective of the present research activity was to investigate the effect of very fast composition transitions of the engine exhaust typical in real-world driving operating conditions, as fuel cutoff phases or engine misfire, on the aftertreatment devices, which are generally very sensitive to these changes. This phenomenon is particularly evident when dealing with engines powered by natural gas, which requires the use of a three-way catalyst (TWC). Indeed, some deviations from the stoichiometric lambda value can interfere with the catalytic converter efficiency. In this work, a numerical “quasi-steady” model was developed to simulate the chemical and transport phenomena of a specific TWC for a compressed natural gas (CNG) heavy-duty engine. A dedicated experimental campaign was performed in order to evaluate the catalyst response to a defined λ variation pattern of the engine exhaust stream, thus providing the data necessary for the numerical model validation. Tests were carried out to reproduce oxygen storage phenomena that make catalyst behavior different from the classic steady-state operating conditions. A surface reaction kinetic mechanism concerning CH4, CO, H2, oxidation and NO reduction has been appropriately calibrated at different λ values with a step-by-step procedure, both in steady-state conditions of the engine work plan and during transient conditions, through cyclical and consecutive transitions of variable frequency between rich and lean phases. The activity also includes a proper calibration of the reactions involving cerium inside the catalyst in order to reproduce oxygen storage and release dynamics. Sensitivity analysis and continuous control of the reaction rate allowed evaluating the impact of each of them on the exhaust composition in several operating conditions. The proposed model predicts tailpipe conversion/formation of the main chemical species, starting from experimental engine-out data, and provides a useful tool to evaluate the catalyst’s performance.

scholarly journals Use of Adaptive Injection Strategies to Increase the Full Load Limit of RCCI Operation

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reed Hanson ◽  
Andrew Ickes ◽  
Thomas Wallner
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Fuel Injection ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Peak Load ◽  
Combustion Process ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Dual Fuel ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Injection Strategies

Dual-fuel combustion using port-injection of low reactivity fuel combined with direct injection (DI) of a higher reactivity fuel, otherwise known as reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI), has been shown as a method to achieve low-temperature combustion with moderate peak pressure rise rates, low engine-out soot and NOx emissions, and high indicated thermal efficiency. A key requirement for extending to high-load operation is moderating the reactivity of the premixed charge prior to the diesel injection. One way to accomplish this is to use a very low reactivity fuel such as natural gas. In this work, experimental testing was conducted on a 13 l multicylinder heavy-duty diesel engine modified to operate using RCCI combustion with port injection of natural gas and DI of diesel fuel. Engine testing was conducted at an engine speed of 1200 rpm over a wide variety of loads and injection conditions. The impact on dual-fuel engine performance and emissions with respect to varying the fuel injection parameters is quantified within this study. The injection strategies used in the work were found to affect the combustion process in similar ways to both conventional diesel combustion (CDC) and RCCI combustion for phasing control and emissions performance. As the load is increased, the port fuel injection (PFI) quantity was reduced to keep peak cylinder pressure (PCP) and maximum pressure rise rate (MPRR) under the imposed limits. Overall, the peak load using the new injection strategy was shown to reach 22 bar brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) with a peak brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of 47.6%.

Diagnostics of Field-Aged Three-Way Catalyst (TWC) on Stoichiometric Natural Gas Engines

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Di Wang ◽  
Hongmei An ◽  
Jian Gong ◽  
Junhui Li ◽  
Krishna Kamasamudram ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Natural Gas Engines ◽  
Three Way Catalyst

Advanced Gas Engine Cogeneration Technology for Special Applications

1995 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 826-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Plohberger ◽  
T. Fessl ◽  
F. Gruber ◽  
G. R. Herdin
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Thermal Reactor ◽  
Maximum Efficiency ◽  
Exhaust Aftertreatment ◽  
Natural Gas Engines ◽  
Low Emission ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The U.S

In recent years gas Otto-cycle engines have become common for various applications in the field of power and heat generation. Gas engines in gen-sets and cogeneration plants can be found in industrial sites, oil and gas field application, hospitals, public communities, etc., mainly in the U.S., Japan, and Europe, and with an increasing potential in the upcoming areas in the far east. Gas engines are chosen sometimes even to replace diesel engines, because of their clean exhaust emission characteristics and the ample availability of natural gas in the world. The Austrian Jenbacher Energie Systeme AG has been producing gas engines in the range of 300 to 1600 kW since 1960. The product program covers state-of-the-art natural gas engines as well as advanced applications for a wide range of alternative gas fuels with emission levels comparable to Low Emission (LEV) and Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards. In recent times the demand for special cogeneration applications is rising. For example, a turnkey cogeneration power plant for a total 14.4 MW electric power and heat output consisting of four JMS616-GSNLC/B spark-fired gas engines specially tuned for high altitude operation has been delivered to the well-known European ski resort of Sestriere. Sestriere is situated in the Italian Alps at an altitude of more than 2000 m (approx. 6700 ft) above sea level. The engines feature a turbocharging system tuned to an ambient air pressure of only 80 kPa to provide an output and efficiency of each 1.6 MW and up to 40 percent @ 1500 rpm, respectively. The ever-increasing demand for lower pollutant emissions in the U.S. and some European countries initiates developments in new exhaust aftertreatment technologies. Thermal reactor and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems are used to reduce tailpipe CO and NOx emissions of engines. Both SCR and thermal reactor technology will shift the engine tuning to achieve maximum efficiency and power output. Development results are presented, featuring the ultra low emission potential of biogas and natural gas engines with exhaust aftertreatment.

Air Fuel Dilution in a Pilot Ignited Direct Injection Natural Gas Engine: Pollutants, Performance, and System Level Considerations

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aditya Prakash Singh ◽  
Gordon Patrick McTaggart-Cowan ◽  
Patrick Kirchen
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
High Pressures ◽  
Direct Injection ◽  
System Level ◽  
Engine Operation ◽  
Gas Engine ◽  
Natural Gas Engine ◽  
Fuel Dilution ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Dilution of natural gas fuel with air for use in a pilot ignited direct injection natural gas engine was investigated to evaluate the impact of this strategy on emissions and engine performance. A representative heavy-duty mode (mid to high-load at medium speed) was considered and the equivalence ratio (Φ) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rates were varied from this representative mode. Air dilution resulted in a significant reduction in several pollutants: 90 to 97% reductions in black carbon particulate matter, 45 to 95% reductions in carbon monoxide, 68 to 85% reductions in total unburnt hydrocarbons. NOx emissions were found to increase by between 1.5 and 2.5x, depending on Φ and EGR, for a fixed combustion phasing. Beyond the emissions improvements, the gross indicated thermal efficiency increased by 2.5 percentage points at both high and low EGR rates. At higher EGR rates, this improvement was due to improved combustion efficiency, while the mechanism for efficiency improvement at lower EGR rates was unclear. The application of air-fuel dilution requires compressed air (> 300 bar) to mix with natural gas at high pressures. A system level analysis considered the compression power required by an industrial 3-stage reciprocating compressor and indicated that the gross indicated thermal efficiency improvements could compensate for the compression requirements for engine operation at high Φ.

scholarly journals Study of the Effects of Changes in Gas Composition as Well as Ambient and Gas Temperature on Errors of Indications of Thermal Gas Meters

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 5428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacek Jaworski ◽  
Adrian Dudek
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Test Bench ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Gas Composition ◽  
Gas Temperature ◽  
Metrological Analysis ◽  
The Impact

Thermal gas meters represent a promising technology for billing customers for gaseous fuels, however, it is essential to ensure that measurement accuracy is maintained in the long term and in a broad range of operating conditions. The effect of hydrogen addition to natural gas will change the physicochemical properties of the mixture of natural gas and hydrogen. Such a mixture will be supplied through the gas system, to consumers, including households, where the amounts of received gas will be metered. The physicochemical properties of hydrogen, including the specific density or viscosity, differ significantly from those of the natural gas components, such as methane, ethane, propane, nitrogen, etc. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to establish the impact of the changes in the gas composition caused by the addition of hydrogen to natural gas on the metrological properties of household gas meters, including thermal gas meters. Furthermore, since household gas meters can be installed outdoors and, taking into account the fact that household gas meters are good heat exchangers, the influence of ambient and gas temperature on the metrological properties of those meters should be investigated. This article reviews a test bench and a testing method concerning errors of thermal gas meter indicators using air and natural gas, including the type containing hydrogen. The indication errors for thermal gas meters using air, natural gas and natural gas with an addition of 2%, 4%, 5%, 10% and 15% hydrogen were determined and then subjected to metrological analysis. Moreover, the test method and test bench are discussed and the results of tests on the impact of ambient and gas temperatures (‒25 °C and 55 °C, respectively) on the errors of indications of thermal gas meters are presented. Conclusions for distribution system operators in terms of gas meter selection were drawn based on the test results.

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