Analysis of the Impact of Split Injection on Fuel Consumption and NOx Emissions of Marine Medium-Speed Diesel Engine

Abstract

The medium-speed diesel engine in diesel-electric propulsion systems is increasingly used as the propulsion engine for liquefied natural gas (LNG) ships and passenger ships. The main advantage of such systems is high reliability, better maneuverability, greater ability to optimize and significant decreasing of the engine room volume. Marine propulsion systems are required to be as energy efficient as possible and to meet environmental protection standards. This paper analyzes the impact of split injection on fuel consumption and NOx emissions of marine medium-speed diesel engines. For the needs of the research, a zero-dimensional, two-zone numerical model of a diesel engine was developed. Model based on the extended Zeldovich mechanism was applied to predict NOx emissions. The validation of the numerical model was performed by comparing operating parameters of the basic engine with data from engine manufacturers and data from sea trials of a ship with diesel-electric propulsion. The applicability of the numerical model was confirmed by comparing the obtained values for pressure, temperature and fuel consumption. The operation of the engine that drives synchronous generator was simulated under stationary conditions for three operating points and nine injection schemes. The values obtained for fuel consumption and NOx emissions for different fuel injection schemes indicate the possibility of a significant reduction in NOx emissions but with a reduction in efficiency. The results showed that split injection with a smaller amount of pilot fuel injected and a smaller angle between the two injection allow a moderate reduction in NOx emissions without a significant reduction in efficiency. The application of split injection schemes that allow significant reductions in NOx emissions lead to a reduction in engine efficiency.