Mechanical Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, India
Online published on 21 March, 2018.
This paper presents the results of computational research investigations for turbo-charging a multi-cylinder petrol engine, using Indian commercial petrol and methane as alternative fuels, while trying to improve its performance and emission characteristics.
The investigations were done in the professional thermodynamic simulation software named as AVL BOOST. The various laws of thermodynamics along with many concepts from gas dynamics and mechanics are used in simulating the results using numerical methods for solving the equations involved. The model was created for proposed multi-cylinder turbocharged spark ignition engine using graphical user interface available in the software.
The model was run in the petrol mode and the octane number requirement was investigated over its entire operating range of speed. Also the corresponding performance and emissions characteristics were also computed.
The investigations were repeated by using methane as an alternative fuel in the designed multi-cylinder turbocharged spark ignition engine mode.
It was seen that both the fuels petrol and methane fulfill the octane number requirement as per the indian commercial petrol and methane at and above the operating speed of 3000 rpm. At lower operating speeds, say from the idle operating speed of the engine up to 3000 rpm, we need to improve the octane ratings of the Indian commercial petrol and methane if used for turbocharged spark ignition engines.
The performance and emissions are otherwise satisfactory with both the fuels used in the turbocharged spark ignition engine. The petrol version gives a better performance as compared to the methane version for the same engine under similar conditions. The HC and NOX emissions are lower with methane as fuel.
Engine, Multi-cylinder, Petrol, Methane, Turbo-charging, Octane Requirement, Performance, Emissions
