Assessment of Hydrogen and Natural Gas Mixtures in a Large Bore Gas Engine for Power Generation

Bernhard Fercher*, Andreas Wimmer, Jan Zelenka, Gernot Kammel, Zita Baumann

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference paperpeer-review

Abstract

Now more than ever there is a growing global interest to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions originating from internal combustion engines. One approach consists in the use of hydrogen instead of fossil fuels. Large bore gas engines for power generation are often fueled by gases with high methane content. Relative to natural gas-fueled engines, the power densities of premixed or port-fuel-injected hydrogen engines are limited due to low volumetric efficiencies and moreover by occurring irregular combustion events (knocking, backfire). The paper presents results from experimental investigations of the impact of different hydrogen substitution rates in natural gas on performance, emissions and operating limits on a single cylinder research engine. The engine is representative for a large bore gas engine for power generation and operates using an open chamber combustion concept with lean mixtures. Essentially, THC, CO 2 and CO emissions decrease with rising hydrogen content of the fuel gas. Even with low concentrations of hydrogen in the fuel gas, significant reductions in THC emissions could be demonstrated. Usually NO X emissions will rise with unchanged operating parameters. However, if excess-air ratio and spark timing are adjusted, a net reduction of NO X emissions can be achieved while the impact on brake thermal efficiency is small. Furthermore, the paper outlines potential mitigation strategies to expand the operational limits with respect to power density with high hydrogen substitution rates.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationASME 2020 Internal Combustion Engine Division Fall Technical Conference, ICEF 2020
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)978-0-7918-8403-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
EventASME 2020 Internal Combustion Engine Fall Conference: ICEF 2020 - Virtuell, United States
Duration: 4 Nov 20206 Nov 2020

Publication series

NameASME 2020 Internal Combustion Engine Division Fall Technical Conference, ICEF 2020

Conference

ConferenceASME 2020 Internal Combustion Engine Fall Conference
Abbreviated titleICEF 2020
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityVirtuell
Period4/11/206/11/20

Keywords

  • Hydrogen
  • Large bore engine
  • Natural gas
  • Single-cylinder research engine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Fuel Technology
  • Automotive Engineering

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