Experimental Study and Optimisation of a Non-Conventional Ignition System for Reciprocating Engines Operation with Hydrogen–Methane Blends, Syngas, and Biogas

Luigi De Simio, Sabato Iannaccone, Massimo Masi and Paolo Gobbato ()
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Luigi De Simio: Institute of Sciences and Technologies for Sustainable Energy and Mobility, National Research Council, 80125 Napoli, Italy
Sabato Iannaccone: Institute of Sciences and Technologies for Sustainable Energy and Mobility, National Research Council, 80125 Napoli, Italy
Massimo Masi: Department of Management and Engineering—DTG, University of Padova, 36100 Vicenza, Italy
Paolo Gobbato: Veil Energy Srl SB, 39100 Bolzano, Italy

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 21, 1-21

Abstract: The paper deals with the experimental study of a medium-load spark ignition engine under operation with different fuel mixtures among those deemed as promising for the transition towards carbon-free energy systems. In particular, the performance of a non-conventional ignition system, which permits the variation of the ignition energy, the spark intensity and duration, was studied fuelling the engine with 60–40% hydrogen–methane blends, three real syngas mixtures and one biogas. The paper is aimed to find the optimal ignition timing for minimum specific fuel consumption and the best setup of the ignition system for each of the fuel mixtures considered. To this end, a series of steady-state tests were performed at the dynamometer by varying the parameters of the ignition system and running the engine with surrogate hydrogen–methane–nitrogen mixtures that permit the simulation of hydrogen–methane blends, real syngas, and biogas. The results quantify the increase of spark advance associated with the decrease of the fuel quality and discuss the risk of knock onset during methane–hydrogen operation. It was demonstrated that the change of the ignition system parameters does not affect the value of optimum spark advance and, except for the ignition duration, all the parameters’ values are generally not very relevant at full load operation. In contrast, at partial load operation with low-quality syngas or high exhaust gas recirculation rate, it was found that an increase of the maximum ignition energy (to 300 mJ) allows for operation down to approximately 66% of the maximum load before combustion becomes incomplete. Further reductions, down to 25% of the maximum load, can be achieved by increasing the gap between the spark plug electrodes (from 0.25 to 0.5 mm).

Keywords: syngas; hydrogen; biogas; ignition energy; spark duration; spark intensity (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: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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