Assessment of The Performance of a Small Capacity SI Engine Fuelled with Model Lean Mixture of Biogas

Abstract

In this paper the results of the experimental study on the SI engine using biogas are presented. The experiments were carried out on a petrol engine with a low engine displacement. Typical SI engine was selected in order to evaluate the potential application of gaseous fuel (i.e. biogas). These types of engines are available on a wide scale and commonly used in automotive sector because of the low purchase price and operating costs. It is expected that after minor modifications, the engine can easily operate in low power co-generation mode. In an experimental part of this paper a complete study of the biogas combustion is presented and compared with the results for natural gas in the same unmodified petrol engine (without modification to its combustion system). The main objective was to compare and evaluate the performance, efficiency, and environmental impact of the engine under lean air/fuel mixture conditions when using alternative fuel, i.e. biogas and natural gas.

Analytical comparison of emissions before and after using a three‐way catalyzer connected to an SI gas engine operating with methane, natural gas, biogas, and different syngas content

“…The authors report that a lower combustion temperature resulted in a slow release of heat and long duration of combustion in lean conditions. Stoichiometric mixtures had a shorter combustion duration . This corroborates the results of studies in which COV increased with both fuels, natural gas and methane, when λ was higher than 1 (Fig.…”

“…The emissions were mostly higher in Study 1 (Bio70), although the differences were low, with a maximum of 0.7 g kWh −1 . According to Crookes, this is due to the low calorific value of the CO 2 , which reduces the temperature in the combustion chamber. Yungjin et al reported similar results when using biogas fuels with various CO 2 contents in a micro‐generation spark ignition engine.…”