Diesel fuel substitution using forestry biomass producer gas: effects of dual fuel combustion on performance and emissions of a micro-CHP system

Experiments were conducted on a large bore, medium speed, single cylinder, diesel engine to investigate operation with substitution ratio of natural gas varying from 0 to 93% by energy. As reported in a previous publication [1], these data were used to validate an analytical methodology for predicting performance and emissions under a broad spectrum of energy substitution ratios. For this paper, these experimental data are further analyzed to better understand the performance and combustion behavior under natural gas substitution ratios of 0%, 60% and 93%. These results show that by transitioning from diesel to 60% dual-fuel (60% NG substitution ratio), an improvement in the NOx-efficiency trade-off was observed that represented a ∼3% improvement in efficiency at constant NOx. Further, the transition from 60% dual-fuel to 93% dual-fuel (93% NG substitution ratio) resulted in additional efficiency improvement with a simultaneous reduction in NOx emissions. The data suggest that this improvement can be attributed to the premixed nature of the high substitution ratio. Furthermore, the results show that high cycle-to-cycle variation was observed for the 93% dual-fuel combustion tests. Further analysis, along with diesel injection rate measurements, show that the observed extreme sensitivity of the combustion event can be attributed to critical parameters such as diesel fuel quantity and injection timing. Results suggest a better understanding of the relative importance of combustion system components and operating conditions in controlling cycle-to-cycle variation of combustion process.

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An Experimental Investigation on the Combustion and Emissions Performance of a Natural Gas–Diesel Dual Fuel Engine at Low and Medium Loads

Volume 1: Large Bore Engines; Fuels; Advanced Combustion ◽

10.1115/icef2015-1041 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Hongsheng Guo ◽

W. Stuart Neill ◽

Brian Liko

Keyword(s):

Carbon Monoxide ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Natural Gas ◽

Diesel Fuel ◽

Fuel Combustion ◽

Operating Conditions ◽

Combustion Stability ◽

Dual Fuel ◽

Particulate Matter Emissions ◽

Dual Fuel Combustion

Natural gas is an abundant and inexpensive fuel in North America. It produces lower greenhouse gas emissions than diesel fuel when burned in an internal combustion engine. It is also considered to be a clean fuel because it generates lower particulate matter emissions than diesel fuel during combustion. In this study, an experimental study was conducted to investigate the combustion and emissions performance of a natural gas – diesel dual fuel engine at low and medium loads. A single cylinder direct injection diesel engine was modified to operate as the dual fuel engine. The diesel fuel was directly injected into the cylinder, while natural gas was injected into the intake port. The operating conditions, such as engine speed, load, intake temperature and pressure, were well controlled during the experiment. The effect of natural gas fraction on energy efficiency, cylinder pressure, exhaust temperature, and combustion stability were recorded and analyzed. The emissions data, including particulate matter, nitric oxides, carbon monoxide, and methane at various natural gas fractions and operating conditions were also analyzed. The results showed that natural gas – diesel dual fuel combustion slightly decreased brake thermal efficiency at low and medium load conditions and significantly reduced carbon dioxide and particulate matter emissions. Methane and NOx emissions increased in dual fuel combustion mode compared to diesel operation. The variation of carbon monoxide emissions in dual fuel mode depended on load and speed conditions.

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