Combustion, Knock and Emission Characteristics of a Natural Gas Fuelled Spark Ignition Engine with Particular Reference to Low Intake Temperature Conditions

Abstract

For various fuel-air mixtures and different compression ratios, the intake temperature was varied over the entire range of ***200°F (366K) down to − 100°F (200K) when employing a single cylinder spark ignited research engine fuelled with natural gas. Performance data such as knock and ignition limits the nature and extent of exhaust emission and chamber pressure cyclic variation were obtained. Means were then suggested for the interpretation of the above mentioned data in terms of engine operation on liquefied natural gas. The experimental work confirmed in general the attractive features of the use of natural gas as a fuel in a spark ignition engine operated under extremely cold intake temperature conditions and that emissions of pollutants were not significantly increased.