Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition Operation With Natural Gas: Fuel Composition Implications

2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (3) ◽  
pp. 837-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hiltner ◽  
R. Agama ◽  
F. Mauss ◽  
B. Johansson ◽  
M. Christensen
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Compression Ratio ◽  
Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Fuel Composition ◽  
Primary Concern ◽  
Compression Ignition ◽  
Engine Operation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Homogeneous Charge

Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) is a potentially attractive operating mode for stationary natural gas engines. Increasing demand for efficient, clean burning engines for electrical power generation provides an opportunity to utilize HCCI combustion if several inherent difficulties can be overcome. Fuel composition, particularly the higher hydrocarbon content (ethane, propane, and butane) of the fuel is of primary concern. Fuel composition influences HCCI operation both in terms of design, via compression ratio and initial charge temperature, and in terms of engine control. It has been demonstrated that greater concentrations of higher hydrocarbons tend to lower the ignition temperature of the mixture significantly. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate, through simulation, the effect of fuel composition on combustion in HCCI engines. Engine performance over a range of fuels from pure methane to more typical natural gas blends is investigated. This includes both the impact of various fuels and the sensitivity of engine operation for any given fuel. Results are presented at a fixed equivalence ratio, compression ratio, and engine speed to isolate the effect of fuel composition. Conclusions are drawn as to how the difficulties arising from gas composition variations may affect the future marketability of these engines.

Characteristics of Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) Engine Operation for Variations in Compression Ratio, Speed, and Intake Temperature While Using n-Butane as a Fuel

2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 472-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Iida ◽  
M. Hayashi ◽  
D. E. Foster ◽  
J. K. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Compression Ratio ◽  
Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Compression Ignition ◽  
Engine Operation ◽  
Indicated Mean Effective Pressure ◽  
Ratio Speed ◽  
Hydrocarbon Emission ◽  
Infrared Spectrometer ◽  
Homogeneous Charge

In this paper, some basic properties of homogeneous charge compression ignition operation are reported. The effect of inlet temperature, compression ratio and engine speed on the homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) operating ranges were evaluated in a CFR engine using n-butane as a fuel. The minimum and maximum loads for HCCI operation were determined using criteria of coefficient of variation of the indicated mean effective pressure and the derivative of in-cylinder pressure, respectively. Exhaust emissions, particularly hydrocarbons, were measured using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The concentration of intermediate hydrocarbon species rapidly decreased as the magnitude of the energy release increased. Hydrocarbon emission at the maximum HCCI load mainly consists of the fuel itself, which is probably emitted from colder areas in the combustion chamber. Finally, the relationship between IMEPCOV and ISFC is discussed.

scholarly journals Inverse Analysis of In-Cylinder Gas-Wall Boundary Conditions: Investigation of a Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Thermal Barrier Coating for Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan O'Donnell ◽  
Tommy Powell ◽  
Mark Hoffman ◽  
Eric Jordan ◽  
Zoran Filipi
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Flux ◽  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Thermal Barrier ◽  
Compression Ignition ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Homogeneous Charge

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) applied to in-cylinder surfaces of a low temperature combustion (LTC) engine provide an opportunity for enhanced efficiency via two mechanisms: (i) positive impact on thermodynamic cycle efficiency due to combustion/expansion heat loss reduction, and (ii) enhanced combustion efficiency. Heat released during combustion increases the temperature gradient within the TBC layer, elevating surface temperature over combustion-relevant crank angles. Thorough characterization of this dynamic temperature “swing” at the TBC–gas interface is required to ensure accurate determination of heat transfer and the associated impact(s) on engine performance, emissions, and efficiencies. This paper employs an inverse heat conduction solver based on the sequential function specification method (SFSM) to estimate TBC surface temperature and heat flux profiles using sub-TBC temperature measurements. The authors first assess the robustness of the solution methodology ex situ, utilizing an inert, quiescent environment and a known heat flux boundary condition. The inverse solver is extended in situ to evaluate surface thermal phenomena within a TBC-treated single-cylinder, gasoline-fueled, homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine. The resultant analysis provides crank angle resolved TBC surface temperature and heat flux profiles over a host of operational conditions. Insight derived from this work may be correlated with TBC thermophysical properties to determine the impact(s) of material selection on engine performance, emissions, heat transfer, and efficiencies. These efforts will guide next-generation TBC design.

Residual-effected homogeneous charge compression ignition at a low compression ratio using exhaust reinduction

2003 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Caton ◽  
A. J. Simon ◽  
J. C. Gerdes ◽  
C. F. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Compression Ratio ◽  
Equivalence Ratio ◽  
Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition ◽  
Compression Ignition ◽  
Single Digit ◽  
Hcci Combustion ◽  
Actuation System ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
No Emissions ◽  
Homogeneous Charge

Studies have been conducted to assess the performance of homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion initiated by exhaust reinduction from the previous engine cycle. Reinduction is achieved using a fully flexible electrohydraulic variable-valve actuation system. In this way, HCCI is implemented at low compression ratio without throttling the intake or exhaust, and without preheating the intake charge. By using late exhaust valve closing and late intake valve opening strategies, steady HCCI combustion was achieved over a range of engine conditions. By varying the timing of both valve events, control can be exerted over both work output (load) and combustion phasing. In comparison with throttled spark ignition (SI) operation on the same engine, HCCI achieved 25–55 per cent of the peak SI indicated work, and did so at uniformly higher thermal efficiency. This was accompanied by a two order of magnitude reduction in NO emissions. In fact, single-digit (ppm) NO emissions were realized under many load conditions. In contrast, hydrocarbon emissions proved to be significantly higher in HCCI combustion under almost all conditions. Varying the equivalence ratio showed a wider equivalence ratio tolerance at low loads for HCCI.

Decreasing hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions of a natural-gas engine operating in the quasi-homogeneous charge compression ignition mode at low loads

2005 ◽  
Vol 219 (9) ◽  
pp. 1125-1131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su Ling ◽  
Zhou Longbao ◽  
Liu Shenghua ◽  
Zhong Hui
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition ◽  
Compression Ignition ◽  
Brake Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Pilot Fuel ◽  
Cng Engine ◽  
Standard Mode ◽  
Homogeneous Charge

Experimental studies have been carried out on decreasing the hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions of a compressed natural-gas (CNG) engine operating in quasi-homogeneous charge compression ignition (QHCCI) mode at low loads. The effects of three technical approaches including partial gas cut-off (PGC), intake air throttling, and increasing the pilot fuel quantity on emissions and the brake thermal efficiency of the CNG engine are studied. The results show that HC and CO emissions can be reduced with only a small penalty on the brake thermal efficiency. An increase in the brake thermal efficiency and reductions in HC and CO emissions can be simultaneously realized by increasing the pilot fuel quantity. It is also indicated from experiments that the HC and CO emissions of the engine can be effectively reduced when using intake air throttling and increasing the pilot fuel quantity are both adopted. However, nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions increase with increase in the throttling and the pilot fuel quantity. Under PGC conditions, NOx emissions are lower than those in the standard mode; however, they increase and exceed the values in the standard mode in increases in the load and natural-gas supply.

Operating Characteristics of Natural Gas Fueled Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition Engine

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Kawabata ◽  
K. Nakagawa ◽  
F. Shoji
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition ◽  
Nox Emission ◽  
Compression Ignition ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Compression Ignition Engine ◽  
Gas Engine ◽  
Engine Combustion ◽  
Gas Fueled ◽  
Homogeneous Charge

Abstract Recently, a new design of engine combustion that achieves higher efficiency and less NOx emission has been proposed. Some researchers have started studying the concept, which is called Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI), but there have been few reports on investigations using a future prospective alternative fuel, natural gas. In this study, natural gas fueled operation of HCCI using a single cylinder gas engine was conducted. Operating and exhaust characteristics were obtained. Experimental data confirmed the potential of higher efficiency and less NOx emission, though THC and CO were higher. Based on these data, the feasibility of this concept for gas engines is also examined.

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