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Numerical Investigation on the Jet Characteristics and Combustion Process of an Active Prechamber Combustion System Fueled with Natural Gas

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  • Lina Xu

    (State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Gang Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Mingfa Yao

    (State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Zunqing Zheng

    (State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Hu Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, No. 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072, China)

Abstract

An active prechamber turbulent ignition system is a forced ignition method for internal combustion engines fueled with low reactivity fuels, i.e., natural gas and gasoline, which could expand the lean-burn limit, promote flame propagation, and ensure cyclic stability. In the present study, the effects of charge concentration stratifications inside the prechamber on the jet characteristics and combustion process were numerically investigated using CONVERGE software coupled with a reduced methane mechanism by the coupling control of spark timing and prechamber global equivalence ratio. The results show that the jet characteristics and ignition mechanisms can be regulated by controlling the prechamber global equivalence ratio and spark timing. On the one hand, as the prechamber global equivalence ratio increases, the velocity of the jet increases firstly and then decreases, the temperature drops, and OH and CH 2 O radicals are reduced, but the stable combustion intermediates, CO and H 2 , are increased. Thus, the ignition mechanism changes from flame ignition (ignition by flame and reactive radicals) to jet ignition (ignition by hot combustion intermediates), and the ignition delay is shortened, but the combustion duration is extended, mainly due to more of the combustion intermediates, CO and H 2 , downstream of the jet. On the other hand, as spark timing is advanced, the jet velocity and the mass of the OH and CH 2 O radicals increase, which is conducive to flame ignition, and the ignition delay and combustion duration are reduced.

Suggested Citation

  • Lina Xu & Gang Li & Mingfa Yao & Zunqing Zheng & Hu Wang, 2022. "Numerical Investigation on the Jet Characteristics and Combustion Process of an Active Prechamber Combustion System Fueled with Natural Gas," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:15:p:5356-:d:870216
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Simone Bigalli & Iacopo Catalani & Francesco Balduzzi & Nicola Matteazzi & Lorenzo Agostinelli & Michele De Luca & Giovanni Ferrara, 2022. "Numerical Investigation on the Performance of a 4-Stroke Engine with Different Passive Pre-Chamber Geometries Using a Detailed Chemistry Solver," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Ju, Dehao & Huang, Zhong & Li, Xiang & Zhang, Tingting & Cai, Weiwei, 2020. "Comparison of open chamber and pre-chamber ignition of methane/air mixtures in a large bore constant volume chamber: Effect of excess air ratio and pre-mixed pressure," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    3. Jiaying Pan & Yu He & Tao Li & Haiqiao Wei & Lei Wang & Gequn Shu, 2021. "Effect of Temperature Conditions on Flame Evolutions of Turbulent Jet Ignition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-17, April.
    4. Szwaja, Stanislaw & Jamrozik, Arkadiusz & Tutak, Wojciech, 2013. "A two-stage combustion system for burning lean gasoline mixtures in a stationary spark ignited engine," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 271-281.
    5. Benajes, J. & Novella, R. & Gomez-Soriano, J. & Martinez-Hernandiz, P.J. & Libert, C. & Dabiri, M., 2019. "Evaluation of the passive pre-chamber ignition concept for future high compression ratio turbocharged spark-ignition engines," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 248(C), pages 576-588.
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