Combustion analysis of a spark ignition engine fueled with gaseous blends containing hydrogen

This paper presents the combustion characteristics of a naturally aspirated spark ignition engine, intended for installation in vehicles, fueled with different hydrogen and methane blends. The experimental tests were carried out in a wide range of speeds at equivalence ratios of 1, 0.8 and 0.7 and at full load. The ignition timing was maintained for each speed, independently of the equivalence ratio and blend used as fuel. Four methane-hydrogen blends were used. In-cylinder pressure, mass fraction burned, heat released and cycle-by-cycle variations were analyzed as representative indicators of the combustion quality. It was observed that hydrogen enrichment of the blend improve combustion for the ignition timing chosen. This improvement is more appreciable at low speeds, because at high speeds hydrogen effect is attenuated by the high turbulence. Also, hydrogen addition allowed the extension of the LOL, enabling the engine to run stable in points where methane could not be tested. The main inconvenience detected was the high NOx emissions measured, especially at stoichiometric conditions, due mainly to the increment in the combustion temperature that hydrogen produces.

► H2-CH4 fuel blends tested in a vehicle SI engine with a fixed ignition map. ► Combustion results at full load, equivalence ratios 1, 0.8 and 0.7. ► Four different methane-hydrogen blends tested with 0%, 10%, 30% and 50% of hydrogen content. ► As hydrogen addition rises combustion is faster, more pressure is obtained and combustion stability is improved. ► Hydrogen addition increases NOx emissions when the rest of the parameters are fixed.