Effects of dual and single spark plug configurations on energy, exergy, and exhaust emissions in a spark ignition engine

Effects of dual spark plug (DSP) operation in a spark ignition (SI) engine on energy, exergy, and exhaust emissions are numerically investigated in this study. A quasi–dimensional SI engine cycle model is used for the analyses. The practical correlations with no assume the fluid dynamics are occupied for the simulation of intake and exhaust periods and the turbulent flame propagation analogy is assigned for the modeling of combustion. The second law of thermodynamics is added to the cycle model to execute the exergy analysis. The thermodynamic parameters such as in–cylinder pressure and temperature, ignition delay, and burn duration with the engine performance parameters are evaluated in the energy analysis. The exergies transferred via heat, work, and exhaust gases, besides destroyed exergy, fuel chemical exergy, thermomechanical exergy and total exergy are compiled for the exergy analysis. The carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxide (NO), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are defined for emission performance analysis. The results show that DSP operation affects moderately energy, exergy, and exhaust emissions. The best results were obtained at dimensionless spark plug location (ratio of spark plug location radius to cylinder radius–Xsp) of 0.2 for DSP compared to centrally located single spark plug (SSP).