Generating efficiency and NOx emissions of a gas engine generator fueled with a biogas–hydrogen blend and using an exhaust gas recirculation system

This paper investigates the generating efficiency and NOx emissions of a gas engine generator with a low-pressure loop exhaust gas recirculation system, fueled by a model biogas. Experiments for improving the generating efficiency and reducing NOx emissions were conducted, utilizing optimum spark timings based on the maximum generating efficiencies with varying exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rates. The test results show that both the NOx emissions and the generating efficiency generally decrease when the EGR rate is increased. Also, by utilizing optimum spark timings with varying EGR rates, the addition of hydrogen to the biogas increases the generating efficiency of the engine. In particular, the generating efficiency of the biogas–hydrogen test increased by about 1.5% in comparison with the model biogas test for the optimum spark timing at 15% EGR. Accordingly, comprehensive techniques, such as the use of a biogas–hydrogen fuel mixture and optimum spark timings with respect to EGR rates, should be employed to efficiently generate electricity with a biogas engine.