Experimental Evaluation of Volatile Organic Compound Quantification Methods for Reciprocating Natural Gas Engines

2021 ◽  
Vol 143 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenna King ◽  
Mukund Venkitachalam ◽  
Daniel Olsen
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Fuel Injection ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Direct Extraction ◽  
Lean Burn ◽  
Natural Gas Engines ◽  
Flame Ionization ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
The Fourier Transform

Abstract Compressor stations utilizing large-bore natural gas engines transport natural gas through pipelines worldwide. One emission class regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are nonmethane, nonethane, nonaldehyde hydrocarbons. The combination of a gas chromatograph (GC) and a flame ionization detector (FID) can measure VOCs, following EPA Method 18/25A. The Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) also measures VOCs, following EPA Method 320. Multiple VOC calculation techniques are utilized, some combining measurements from separate analyzers. Two basic methods of extracting exhaust gas are direct extraction and Tedlar bag sampling. In this study, various VOC quantification methods are evaluated. Exhaust gas was sampled from a Cooper-Bessemer GMV lean-burn engine and a Caterpillar G3304 rich-burn engine. The GMV was tested in three configurations: open chamber spark ignition, precombustion chamber (PCC) ignition, and PCC ignition with high-pressure fuel injection. Ignition timing sweeps were performed on both engines, and a fuel variability test was performed on the GMV. Results showed that the Gasmet and MKS FTIRs’ (Method 320) VOC measurements deviate significantly from the HP GC when measuring low molar concentrations, albeit below regulatory limits. A common VOC quantification approach is subtracting the sum of methane and ethane FTIR measurements from a total hydrocarbon measurement utilizing a FID. This method produces uncertainties of 190% and overestimates VOC concentration by an average of 100%. The Tedlar bag sampling method produced VOC measurements within −2% of the direct extraction method.

scholarly journals Lean-Burn Natural Gas Engines: Challenges and Concepts for an Efficient Exhaust Gas Aftertreatment System

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Lott ◽  
Olaf Deutschmann
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Catalytic Converter ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Lean Burn ◽  
Aftertreatment System ◽  
Natural Gas Engines ◽  
Exhaust Gas Aftertreatment

AbstractHigh engine efficiency, comparably low pollutant emissions, and advantageous carbon dioxide emissions make lean-burn natural gas engines an attractive alternative compared to conventional diesel or gasoline engines. However, incomplete combustion in natural gas engines results in emission of small amounts of methane, which has a strong global warming potential and consequently makes an efficient exhaust gas aftertreatment system imperative. Palladium-based catalysts are considered as most effective in low temperature methane conversion, but they suffer from inhibition by the combustion product water and from poisoning by sulfur species that are typically present in the gas stream. Rational design of the catalytic converter combined with recent advances in catalyst operation and process control, particularly short rich periods for catalyst regeneration, allow optimism that these hurdles can be overcome. The availability of a durable and highly efficient exhaust gas aftertreatment system can promote the widespread use of lean-burn natural gas engines, which could be a key step towards reducing mankind’s carbon footprint.

scholarly journals Emission of Toxic HCN During NO x Removal by Ammonia SCR in the Exhaust of Lean‐Burn Natural Gas Engines

2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (34) ◽  
pp. 14423-14428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deniz Zengel ◽  
Pirmin Koch ◽  
Bentolhoda Torkashvand ◽  
Jan‐Dierk Grunwaldt ◽  
Maria Casapu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Lean Burn ◽  
Natural Gas Engines

Experimental study of combustion strategy for jet ignition on a natural gas engine

2020 ◽  
pp. 146808742097775
Author(s):  
Ziqing Zhao ◽  
Zhi Wang ◽  
Yunliang Qi ◽  
Kaiyuan Cai ◽  
Fubai Li
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Efficient Points ◽  
Lean Burn ◽  
Gas Engine ◽  
Absolute Value ◽  
Natural Gas Engines ◽  
Natural Gas Engine ◽  
Excess Air ◽  
Lean Limit

To explore a suitable combustion strategy for natural gas engines using jet ignition, lean burn with air dilution, stoichiometric burn with EGR dilution and lean burn with EGR dilution were investigated in a single-cylinder natural gas engine, and the performances of two kinds of jet ignition technology, passive jet ignition (PJI) and active jet ignition (AJI), were compared. In the study of lean burn with air dilution strategy, the results showed that AJI could extend the lean limit of excess air ratio (λ) to 2.1, which was significantly higher than PJI’s 1.6. In addition, the highest indicated thermal efficiency (ITE) of AJI was shown 2% (in absolute value) more than that of PJI. Although a decrease of NOx emission was observed with increasing λ in the air dilution strategy, THC and CO emissions increased. Stoichiometric burn with EGR was proved to be less effective, which can only be applied in a limited operation range and had less flexibility. However, in contrast to the strategy of stoichiometric burn with EGR, the strategy of lean burn with EGR showed a much better applicability, and the highest ITE could achieve 45%, which was even higher than that of lean burn with air dilution. Compared with the most efficient points of lean burn with pure air dilution, the lean burn with EGR dilution could reduce 78% THC under IMEP = 1.2 MPa and 12% CO under IMEP = 0.4 MPa. From an overall view of the combustion and emission performances under both low and high loads, the optimum λ would be from 1.4 to 1.6 for the strategy of lean burn with EGR dilution.

Poison Build-up and Performance Degradation of an Oxidation Catalyst in 2-Stroke Natural Gas Engine Exhaust

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc E. Baumgardner ◽  
Daniel B. Olsen
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Catalyst Deactivation ◽  
Catalyst Surface ◽  
Oxidation Catalyst ◽  
Lean Burn ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Natural Gas Engines ◽  
Engine Testing ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Carry Over

Due to current and future exhaust emissions regulations, oxidation catalysts are increasingly being added to the exhaust streams of large-bore, 2-stroke, natural gas engines. Such catalysts have been found to have a limited operational lifetime, primarily due to chemical (i.e. catalyst poisoning) and mechanical fouling resulting from the carry-over of lubrication oil from the cylinders. It is critical for users and catalyst developers to understand the nature and rate of catalyst deactivation under these circumstances. This study examines the degradation of an exhaust oxidation catalyst on a large-bore, 2-stroke, lean-burn, natural gas field engine over the course of 2 years. Specifically this work examines the process by which the catalyst was aged and tested and presents a timeline of catalyst degradation under commercially relevant circumstances. The catalyst was aged in the field for 2 month intervals in the exhaust slipstream of a GMVH-12 engine and intermittently brought back to the Colorado State Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory for both engine testing and catalyst surface analysis. Engine testing consisted of measuring catalyst reduction efficiency as a function of temperature as well as the determination of the light-off temperature for several exhaust components. The catalyst surface was analyzed via SEM/EDS and XPS techniques to examine the location and rate of poison deposition. After 2 years on-line the catalyst light-off temperature had increased ∼55°F (31°C) and ∼34 wt% poisons (S, P, Zn) were built up on the catalyst surface, both of which represent significant catalyst deactivation.

Evaluation of a Lean-Burn Natural Gas Engine Operating on Variable Methane Number Fuel

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cory J. Kreutzer ◽  
Daniel B. Olsen ◽  
Robin J. Bremmer
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Combustion Stability ◽  
Lean Burn ◽  
Natural Gas Engines ◽  
Spark Timing ◽  
Gas Compression ◽  
Fuel Blending ◽  
Methane Number

Wellhead gas from which pipeline natural gas originates has significant variability in composition due to natural variations in deposits. Gas quality is influenced by relative concentrations of both inert and hydrocarbon species. Gas compression engines utilizing wellhead gas as a fuel source often require significant installation time and adjustment of stock configuration due to fuel compositions that vary with time and location. Lean burn natural gas engines are chosen as wellhead compression engines for high efficiency and low emissions while minimizing the effect of variable gas composition. Ideal engine conditions are maintained by operating within the knock and misfire limits of the engine. Additional data is needed to find engine operational limitations. In this work, experimental data was collected on a Cummins GTA8.3SLB engine operating on variable methane number fuel under closed-loop equivalence ratio control. A fuel blending system was used to vary methane number to simulate wellhead compositions. NOx and CO emissions were found to increase with decreasing methane number while combustion stability remained constant. In addition, the effects of carbon dioxide and nitrogen diluents in the fuel were investigated. When diluents were present in the fuel, engine performance could be maintained by spark timing advance.

scholarly journals SELECTIVE NOx RECIRCULATION FOR STATIONARY LEAN-BURN NATURAL GAS ENGINES

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigel Clark ◽  
Gregory Thompson ◽  
Richard Atkinson ◽  
Chamila Tissera ◽  
Matt Swartz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Lean Burn ◽  
Natural Gas Engines

scholarly journals The influence of natural gas additive on the smoke level generated by diesel engines

2015 ◽  
Vol 161 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-88
Author(s):  
Zdzisław STELMASIAK ◽  
Jerzy LARISCH ◽  
Dariusz PIETRAS
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Engine Speed ◽  
Diesel Oil ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Chassis Dynamometer ◽  
Natural Gas Engines ◽  
Smoke Opacity ◽  
Small Additive ◽  
Selection Of

The paper presents the results of investigations performed on a Fiat 1.3 MultiJet engine fueled with natural gas (CNG) and diesel oil. The primary aim was to determine the influence of a small additive of natural gas on the exhaust gas opacity under variable engine operating conditions. The tests were performed for the engine work points n–Mo (engine speed– torque) reproducing the NEDC cycle. The selection of the work points was carried out according to the criterion of greatest share in the NEDC homologation test, covering the entire engine field of work used in the realization of the test on a chassis dynamometer. In the tests, the authors applied different energy shares of natural gas in the range 15–35.6%. The smoke opacity was analyzed in the FSN and mass scales [mg/m3 ]. The results of the investigations may be used in the design of electronic controllers for natural gas engines and in the adaptation engines to CNG fueling.

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