Complementing Syngas with Natural Gas in Spark Ignition Engines for Power Production: Effects on Emissions and Combustion

Carlo Caligiuri, Urban Žvar Baškovič, Massimiliano Renzi, Tine Seljak, Samuel Rodman Oprešnik, Marco Baratieri and Tomaž Katrašnik
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Carlo Caligiuri: Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen/Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
Urban Žvar Baškovič: Laboratory for Internal Combustion Engines and Electromobility, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 6, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Massimiliano Renzi: Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen/Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
Tine Seljak: Laboratory for Internal Combustion Engines and Electromobility, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 6, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Samuel Rodman Oprešnik: Laboratory for Internal Combustion Engines and Electromobility, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 6, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Marco Baratieri: Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen/Bolzano, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
Tomaž Katrašnik: Laboratory for Internal Combustion Engines and Electromobility, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva 6, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-18

Abstract: Power generation units based on the bio-syngas system face two main challenges due to (i) the possible temporary shortage of primary sources and (ii) the engine power derating associated with the use of low-energy density fuels in combustion engines. In both cases, an external input fuel is provided. Hence, complementing syngas with traditional fuels, like natural gas, becomes a necessity. In this work, an experimental methodology is proposed, aiming at the quantification of the impact of the use of both natural gas and syngas in spark ignition (SI) engines on performance and emissions. The main research questions focus on investigating brake thermal efficiency (BTE), power derating, and pollutant emission (NO x , CO, THC, CO 2 ) formation, offering quantitative findings that present the basis for engine optimization procedures. Experimental measurements were performed on a Toyota 4Y-E engine (a 4-cylinders, 4-stroke spark ignition engine) at partial load (10 kW) under different syngas energy shares (SES) and at four different spark ignition timings (10°, 25°, 35° and 45° BTDC). Results reveal that the impact of the different fuel mixtures on BTE is negligible if compared to the influence of spark advance variation on BTE. On the other hand, power derating has proven to be a limiting factor and becomes more prominent with increasing SES. An increasing SES also resulted in an increase of CO and CO 2 emissions, while NO x and THC emissions decreased with increasing SES.

Keywords: spark ignition engines; renewable fuels; combustion; syngas; natural gas (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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