Effects of Hydrogen Addition on Premixed Combustion of Kerosene in SI Engine

Abstract

Spark ignition (SI) engines fueled with kerosene have broad application prospects in unmanned aviation vehicles. The knock phenomenon of kerosene in SI engines is a huge challenge, leading to a much lower power output than gasoline engines. In this context, the combustion characteristics of kerosene blending with hydrogen are analyzed numerically regarding the working conditions of an SI engine. First, the ignition delay time of a kerosene/hydrogen mixture is estimated for temperatures of 600–1000 K and pressures of 15–35 bar using the Tay mechanism. The effects of hydrogen addition are evaluated with a ratio of 0–0.4. The sensitivities of the main reactions that affect the ignition delay time are discussed. Then, the laminar flame speed is predicted using the HYCHEM-SK mechanism, and the effects of hydrogen addition on the net reaction rates of the main reactions are analyzed. The results indicate that the ignition delay time is shortened and the laminar flame speed is increased as the hydrogen addition ratio rises. Meanwhile, the ignition delay time decreases except for the NTC range, and the laminar flame speed increases evidently as the temperature rises. In addition, the ignition delay time decreases obviously as the pressure increases with a temperature greater than 750 K. However, the laminar flame speed declines at 600 K and 800 K, while an opposite trend exhibits at 1000 K as the pressure rises. The laminar flame speed increases by 23.85–24.82%, while the ignition delay time only decreases by 4.02–3.59% at 1000 K as the hydrogen addition ratio rises from 0 to 0.4, which will be beneficial for knock suppression.