Predictive Methodology to Optimize Knocking Behavior in the Transformation of Engines to Gaseous Fuels

Abstract

AbstractThe growing concern about climate change has prompted national strategies with ambitious greenhouse gas emissions targets. Most of these targets aim at carbon neutrality by 2050. Different approaches propose electromobility as a mitigation measure to replace fossil fuels in vehicle propulsion systems; but, studies show that by 2050 only 31% of vehicles worldwide will be electric. Therefore, to achieve carbon neutrality goals, it will be necessary to develop cost-effective transition technologies that reduce emissions from the remaining fleet. A viable alternative is transforming and optimizing engines for cleaner fuels such as natural gas (NG) or liquified petroleum gas (LPG). This research proposes a predictive methodology to predefine engine conditions related to its compression ratio (CR) to avoid knocking when transforming engines to gaseous fuels.