High Efficiency Natural Gas Engine Combustion Using Controlled Auto-Ignition

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory J. Hampson
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Combustion Stability ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Brake Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Auto Ignition ◽  
Engine Knock

Abstract Increasingly restrictive limits on Oxides of Nitrogen - NOx levels and desire for low methane emissions from gas engines are driving the change from lean-burn to stoichiometric combustion strategies on heavy-duty on-highway natural gas engines in order to take advantage of inexpensive and effective three-way catalyst technology. The change to stoichiometric combustion has led to increased tendency for engine knock due to higher in-cylinder temperatures. To suppress engine knock, Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) rates from 10 to 30% are used. While high EGR rates nominally improve Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) and reduce exhaust gas temperatures, they also slow down combustion. However, by deploying a controlled spark triggered homogeneous charge volumetric ignition, very short burn durations can be achieved without the destructive effects of engine knocking towards high efficiency gas engines. In the interest of achieving 45% BTE in spark ignited an on-highway class 8 truck engines fueled on natural gas and to meet EURO 6 and future California emissions standards of 0.02 gm/kw-hr NOx, Controlled Auto-Ignition (CAI) is herein demonstrated on a 15 liter truck engine. CAI is enabled by (a) having a combustion device capable of exceptionally good combustion stability in the presence of high EGR rates (COV of IMEP < 0.75 %), (b) cylinder pressure based combustion feedback, and (c) fast closed loop combustion control (using a Woodward RT-CDC control system). This system enables significant reduction in burn duration by controlling a two phase combustion event. The first phase is normal spark ignited propagating flame, which then triggers the second phase which is volumetric auto-ignition. The location and percentage of fuel that burns in the volumetric auto-ignition event is controlled relative to that which occurs via the conventional spark ignited flame propagation process by use of high speed combustion in the loop feedback control. Auto-ignition mass fraction burned (MFB) ratios of 25–50% have been achieved yielding higher heat release rates at the end of combustion than at the center of combustion with the result being a shortening of the combustion burn duration from a nominal 20–30 degrees to a near optimal 10–15 degrees even with EGR rates as high as 25%. A novel and patent pending burn duration control strategy is employed to stably maintain this knock-free combustion strategy even with compression ratio as high as 14:1. The benefits are significant increase in Brake Thermal Efficiency and substantial reduction in engine out methane emissions without sacrifice of transient responsiveness.

scholarly journals Controlled End Gas Auto Ignition With Exhaust Gas Recirculation on a Stoichiometric, Spark Ignited, Natural Gas Engine

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Bayliff ◽  
Bret Windom ◽  
Anthony Marchese ◽  
Greg Hampson ◽  
Jeffrey Carlson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Compression Ratio ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ◽  
Peak Performance ◽  
Stable Operation ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Ignition Timing ◽  
Auto Ignition ◽  
Gas Recirculation

Abstract The goal of this study is to address fundamental limitations to achieving diesel-like efficiencies in heavy duty on-highway natural gas (NG) engines. Engine knock and misfire are barriers to pathways leading to higher efficiency engines. This study explores enabling technologies for development of high efficiency stoichiometric, spark ignited, natural gas engines. These include design strategies for fast and stable combustion and higher dilution tolerance. Additionally, advanced control methodologies are implemented to maintain stable operation between knock and misfire limits. To implement controlled end-gas autoignition (C-EGAI) strategies a Combustion Intensity Metric (CIM) is used for ignition control with the use of a Woodward large engine control module (LECM). Tests were conducted using a single cylinder, variable compression ratio, cooperative fuel research (CFR) engine with baseline conditions of 900 RPM, engine load of 800 kPa indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP), and stoichiometric air/fuel ratio. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) tests were performed using a custom EGR system that simulates a high pressure EGR loop and can provide a range of EGR rates from 0 to 40%. The experimental measurements included the variance of EGR rate, compression ratio, engine speed, IMEP, and CIM. These five variables were optimized through a Modified BoxBenken design Surface Response Method (RSM), with brake efficiency as the merit function. A positive linear correlation between CIM and f-EGAI was identified. Consequently, CIM was used as the feedback control parameter for C-EGAI. As such, implementation of C-EGAI effectively allowed for the utilization of high EGR rates and CRs, controlling combustion between a narrower gap between knock and lean limits. The change from fixed to parametric ignition timing with CIM targeted select values of f-EGAI with an average coefficient of variance (COV) of peak pressure of 5.4. The RSM efficiency optimization concluded with operational conditions of 1080 RPM, 1150 kPa IMEP, 10.55:1 compression ratio, and 17.8% EGR rate with a brake efficiency of 21.3%. At this optimized point of peak performance, a f-EGAI for C-EGAI was observed at 34.1% heat release due to auto ignition, a knock onset crank angle value of 10.3° aTDC and ignition timing of −24.7° aTDC. This work has demonstrated that combustion at a fixed f-EGAI can be maintained through advanced ignition control of CIM without experiencing heavy knocking events.

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.

The impact of water injection and exhaust gas recirculation on combustion and emissions in a heavy-duty compression ignition engine operated on diesel and gasoline

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 1555-1573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Pamminger ◽  
Buyu Wang ◽  
Carrie M Hall ◽  
Ryan Vojtech ◽  
Thomas Wallner
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Water Injection ◽  
Combustion Process ◽  
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Brake Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Fuel Ratio ◽  
Main Injection ◽  
Gas Recirculation ◽  
Diesel Operation

Steady-state experiments were conducted on a 12.4L, six-cylinder heavy-duty engine to investigate the influence of port-injected water and dilution via exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on combustion and emissions for diesel and gasoline operation. Adding a diluent to the combustion process reduces peak combustion temperatures and can reduce the reactivity of the charge, thereby increasing the ignition-delay and, allowing for more time to premix air and fuel. Experiments spanned water/fuel mass ratios up to 140mass% and exhaust gas recirculation ratios up to 20vol% for gasoline and diesel operation with different injection strategies. Diluting the combustion process with either water or EGR resulted in a significant reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions along with a reduction in brake thermal efficiency. The sensitivity of brake thermal efficiency to water and EGR varied among the fuels and injection strategies investigated. An efficiency breakdown revealed that water injection considerably reduced the wall heat transfer; however, a substantial increase in exhaust enthalpy offset the reduction in wall heat transfer and led to a reduction in brake thermal efficiency. Regular diesel operation with main and post injection exhibited a brake thermal efficiency of 45.8% and a 0.3% reduction at a water/fuel ratio of 120%. The engine operation with gasoline, early pilot, and main injection strategy showed a brake thermal efficiency of 45.0% at 0% water/fuel ratio, and a 1.2% decrease in brake thermal efficiency for a water/fuel ratio of 140%. Using EGR as a diluent reduced the brake thermal efficiency by 0.3% for diesel operation, comparing ratios of 0% and 20% EGR. However, a higher impact on brake thermal efficiency was seen for gasoline operation with early pilot and main injection strategy, with a reduction of about 0.8% comparing 0% and 20% EGR. Dilution by means of EGR exhibited a reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions up to 15 g/kWh; water injection showed only up to 10 g/kWh reduction for the EGR rates and water/fuel ratio investigated.

Development of an exhaust gas recirculation strategy for an acetylene-fuelled homogeneous charge compression ignition engine

2010 ◽  
Vol 224 (7) ◽  
pp. 941-952 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Sudheesh ◽  
J M Mallikarjuna
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition ◽  
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ◽  
Electrical Heating ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Compression Ignition ◽  
Brake Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Load Limit ◽  
Gas Recirculation ◽  
Load Conditions

This paper deals with experimental investigations carried out to develop an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) strategy for an acetylene-fuelled homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine. This study involves an analysis of the external inlet charge heating, the use of a mix of hot EGR and cool EGR to extend the load range, and the performance of the engine in the acetylene HCCI mode. First, experiments are conducted on a single-cylinder engine in the acetylene HCCI mode with external electrical heating at different load conditions, and the best inlet charge temperatures at each load condition are obtained. Second, hot EGR or a mix of hot EGR and cool EGR (i.e. the EGR strategy) is used to reduce or eliminate external charge heating and to extend the upper load limit, or to improve the brake thermal efficiency. In both cases, the engine performance is compared with that of the conventional diesel compression ignition (CI) mode. It is found that with EGR, above 25 per cent of load, the upper load limit at different inlet charge temperatures increases by about 16 28 per cent without any external charge heating. Below 25 per cent of load, the electrical heating at different inlet charge conditions is reduced by about 67–87 per cent. The brake thermal efficiency increases by 5–24 per cent under all the load conditions and it is comparable with that in the conventional CI mode. In the HCCI mode, nitrogen oxide levels are less than 20ppm. Smoke levels are always lower than 0.1 Bosch smoke unit. Hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions are relatively higher than for the conventional CI mode.

Hydrogen enrichment: A way to maintain combustion stability in a natural gas fuelled engine with exhaust gas recirculation, the potential of fuel reforming

2001 ◽  
Vol 215 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Allenby ◽  
W-C. Chang ◽  
A. Megaritis ◽  
M. L. Wyszyński
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ◽  
Combustion Stability ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Fuel Reforming ◽  
Rapid Reduction ◽  
Indicated Mean Effective Pressure ◽  
Hydrogen Enrichment ◽  
Gas Recirculation ◽  
Operating Points

An experimental study was carried out to evaluate the potential of hydrogen enrichment to increase the tolerance of a stoichiometrically fuelled natural gas engine to high levels of dilution by exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). This provides significant gains in terms of exhaust emissions without the rapid reduction in combustion stability typically seen when applying EGR to a methane-fuelled engine. Presented results give the envelope of benefits from hydrogen enrichment. In parallel, the performance of a catalytic exhaust gas reforming reactor was investigated in order that it could be used as an onboard source of hydrogen-rich EGR. It was shown that sufficient hydrogen was generated with currently available prototype catalysts to allow the engine, at the operating points considered, to tolerate up to 25 per cent EGR, while maintaining a coefficient of variability of indicated mean effective pressure below 5 per cent. This level of EGR gives a reduction in NO emissions greater than 80 per cent in all test cases.

Utilization of Cryogenic Exergy of LNG by MGT (Mirror Gas Turbine)

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Tsujikawa ◽  
K. Kaneko ◽  
S. Fujii
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Electric Energy ◽  
Liquefied Natural Gas ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Brayton Cycle ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Topping Cycle ◽  
Very High

In the course of the worldwide efforts to suppress the global warming, the saving energy becomes more important. Recently, the LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminals in our country have received more than 50 million tons of LNG per year. Therefore, the utilization of the cryogenic exergy in connection with the regasification of LNG gains more and more importance. The aim of this paper is the recovery of the energy consumed in liquefaction using the MGT (Mirror Gas Turbine), which is a kind of new combined cycle of a conventional gas turbine worked as a topping cycle and TG (inverted Brayton cycle) as a bottoming cycle. The optimum characteristics have been calculated and it is shown that this cycle is superior to the current-use gasification systems in employing seawater heats in terms of thermal efficiency and specific output. In the present cycle, the cold of LNG is used to cool the exhaust gas from a turbine of TG, and then the exergy of the liquefied natural gas is transformed to electric energy with a very high efficiency. The main feature of this new concept is the removal of an evaporation system using seawater.

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 A Study on the High Load Operation of a Natural Gas-Diesel Dual-Fuel Engine

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shouvik Dev ◽  
Hongsheng Guo ◽  
Brian Liko
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Diesel Engines ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Direct Injection ◽  
High Load ◽  
Dual Fuel ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Brake Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Dual Fuel Engines

Diesel fueled compression ignition engines are widely used in power generation and freight transport owing to their high fuel conversion efficiency and ability to operate reliably for long periods of time at high loads. However, such engines generate significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM) emissions. One solution to reduce the CO2 and particulate matter emissions of diesel engines while maintaining their efficiency and reliability is natural gas (NG)-diesel dual-fuel combustion. In addition to methane emissions, the temperatures of the diesel injector tip and exhaust gas can also be concerns for dual-fuel engines at medium and high load operating conditions. In this study, a single cylinder NG-diesel dual-fuel research engine is operated at two high load conditions (75% and 100% load). NG fraction and diesel direct injection (DI) timing are two of the simplest control parameters for optimization of diesel engines converted to dual-fuel engines. In addition to studying the combined impact of these parameters on combustion and emissions performance, another unique aspect of this research is the measurement of the diesel injector tip temperature which can predict potential coking issues in dual-fuel engines. Results show that increasing NG fraction and advancing diesel direct injection timing can increase the injector tip temperature. With increasing NG fraction, while the methane emissions increase, the equivalent CO2 emissions (cumulative greenhouse gas effect of CO2 and CH4) of the engine decrease. Increasing NG fraction also improves the brake thermal efficiency of the engine though NOx emissions increase. By optimizing the combustion phasing through control of the DI timing, brake thermal efficiencies of the order of ∼42% can be achieved. At high loads, advanced diesel DI timings typically correspond to the higher maximum cylinder pressure, maximum pressure rise rate, brake thermal efficiency and NOx emissions, and lower soot, CO, and CO2-equivalent emissions.

Development of High-Efficiency Oxy-Fuel IGCC System

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuso Oki ◽  
Hiroyuki Hamada ◽  
Makoto Kobayashi ◽  
Isao Yuri ◽  
Saburo Hara
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Gas Turbine Combustor ◽  
Power Station ◽  
Power Stations ◽  
Gas Turbine Exhaust ◽  
Ccs Technologies ◽  
Turbine Exhaust

Coal is regarded as important fuel because of its stable supply and low price, but coal is blamed for its CO2 emission. Japanese utilities are making efforts to improve thermal efficiency and to expand biomass co-firing. On the other hand, CCS technologies are under development as a countermeasure for global warming and demonstration projects planned in several power stations are announced in world wide. As CO2 capture from power station requires huge in-house power, thermal efficiency is deteriorated. To make a breakthrough, NEDO started a project to develop the high-efficiency oxy-fuel IGCC system. This system recirculates gas turbine exhaust gas to both gasifier and gas turbine combustor. Recirculated exhaust gas is used both to feed pulverized coal to gasifier and to dilute syngas in gas turbine combustor. The target efficiency is 42% at HHV basis, equivalent to state of the art coal-fired power station. Various studies were done to confirm the concept of this system and to develop fundamental technologies necessary for the system since 2008 to 2014 as NEDO project. Based on the achievements, the project made another step since 2015 as a five-year joint NEDO project with MHI and MHPS. This paper introduces the latest status of this project executed by CRIEPI by referring several related papers.

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