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Numerical investigation of the impact of dual spark plug coordinated ignition strategy on the combustion process in a free piston engine generator

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  • Lei, Qiming
  • Feng, Huihua
  • Liu, Chang
  • Jia, Boru
  • Zhang, Zhiyuan
  • Zuo, Zhengxing

Abstract

The unique motion profile of Free Piston Engine Generators (FPEG) results in a brief dwell period at the top dead centre (TDC). Effectively achieving swift combustion within the cylinder during this limited interval is an urgent challenge that needs to be solved. In this study, a three-dimensional simulation model of FPEG was established and the model underwent calibration utilizing experiment data. Subsequently investigating the impacts of varying ignition positions, distinct spark plug spacing, and distribution on the combustion of the FPEG when subjected to the dual spark plug ignition configuration. The research results show that with the advancement of the ignition position, the maximum combustion duration of the dual spark plug FPEG was shortened by 34 %. With a reasonable spark plug spacing, the dual spark plug FPEG could shorten the flame propagation distance, which is conducive to the realization of constant volume combustion. When the dual spark plugs were arranged on both sides of the auxiliary intake port, the peak pressure in the cylinder could reach up to 49.5 bar. When the dual spark plugs were arranged in the main intake port and the auxiliary intake port, the indicated thermal efficiency reached 34.7 %.

Suggested Citation

  • Lei, Qiming & Feng, Huihua & Liu, Chang & Jia, Boru & Zhang, Zhiyuan & Zuo, Zhengxing, 2024. "Numerical investigation of the impact of dual spark plug coordinated ignition strategy on the combustion process in a free piston engine generator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:290:y:2024:i:c:s0360544223032747
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.129880
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yan, Xiaodong & Feng, Huihua & Zuo, Zhengxing & Zhang, Zhiyuan & Wu, Limin & Shi, Cheng, 2021. "A study on the working characteristics of free piston linear generator with dual cylinder configuration by different secondary injection strategies," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    2. Duan, Xiongbo & Zhang, Shiheng & Liu, Yiqun & Li, Yangtang & Liu, Jingping & Lai, Ming-Chia & Deng, Banglin, 2020. "Numerical investigation the effects of the twin-spark plugs coupled with EGR on the combustion process and emissions characteristics in a lean burn natural gas SI engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    3. Yuan, Chenheng & Feng, Huihua & He, Yituan & Xu, Jing, 2016. "Combustion characteristics analysis of a free-piston engine generator coupling with dynamic and scavenging," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 637-649.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ji, Changwei & Deng, Yutao & Yang, Jinxin & Zambalov, Sergey & Kasaev, Dmitry, 2025. "Numerical study on the effects of spark plug position and ignition timing on the performance of hydrogen direct-injection oval rotary engine under different excess air ratio conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).
    2. Liu, Chang & Zou, Run & Hu, Xiaoxu & Wei, Shuojian & Wei, Yidi & Jia, Boru & Zuo, Zhengxing & Wang, Wei & Feng, Huihua, 2025. "Effect of ignition timing on engine performance of a linear range extender: An experimental study fueled with methanol," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 318(C).
    3. Xu, Lei & Wei, Yidi & Liu, Chang & Jia, Boru & Zhang, Zhiyuan & Qin, Shuo & Hu, Xiaoxu & Feng, Huihua & Zuo, Zhengxing, 2024. "Research on the implementation of free piston engine generator at various compression ratios and combustion performance of multiple fuels," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    4. Li, Guanfu & Mao, Feihong & Wei, Yidi & Bao, Ke & Liu, Yue & Jia, Boru, 2025. "Prediction of combustion pressure for a dual-cylinder free-piston engine generator based on data driven," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    5. Deng, Yutao & Ji, Changwei & Yang, Jinxin & Zambalov, Sergey & Kasaev, Dmitry, 2025. "Effect of injection pulse width on hydrogen direct-injection oval rotary engine under different oxygen-enriched strategy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 328(C).
    6. Lei, Qiming & Wang, Hu & Yan, Xiaodong & Feng, Huihua & Jia, Boru & Wang, Jiayu & Xia, Longbin, 2025. "Investigation into the application of turbulent jet ignition in the operational process of free piston engine generators," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 327(C).

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