Development of a natural gas spark ignition engine for optimum performance

Abstract

A 4 litre displacement, six cylinder, fuel injected petrol engine was modified to natural gas (NG) fuelling. Experimental investigation was carried out with various mixture controls and compression ratios over a wide range of operating conditions. As a strategy for combustion chamber shape modification, the compression ratio was raised with simultaneous enhancement of in-cylinder turbulence through squish motion. A fast burning chamber for the combustion of lean mixtures of natural gas and air was developed. Brake thermal efficiency in excess of 40 per cent and brake torque in excess of the peak base torque with petrol were achieved. The research provides the foundation for the implementation of NG cars that will emit only about 65 per cent of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) of their petrol engine counterparts, with the prospect of extending the limited range of NG cars by up to one-third and producing low hydrocarbon (HC) and nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions.