Spark Ignition - Searching for the Optimal Spark Profile

• The impact of different spark designs on the ignition and combustion stability is studied using a 13-liter CNG fueled heavy duty spark ignited engine to search for the “optimal” spark design. Experimental results show that robust ignition can be achieved using a significantly shorter spark duration and lower energy than expected. A capacitive discharge ignition (CDI) system enabled to separately control the available spark voltage, current and duration (FlexiSpark®CDI) was compared to a standard CDI system without spark control and an inductive discharge (IDI) ignition system. Typically, a robust ignition can be provided using only 5% of the spark duration and 17% of the spark energy compared to that required by an IDI system to accomplish an equivalent ignition and combustion stability. By applying control of the spark, a robust ignition can be provided which is optimized for the fuel, the engine design, the engine operating condition, and the condition of the spark plugs. This offers a potential to significantly reduce the spark-plug wear and the total cost of ownership without compromising engine performance.The results are especially interesting in the view of Hydrogen fueled SI-ICE, where the required available spark voltage is high, but the required spark energy is low. It is desirable to use a spark design with just enough voltage and power to initiate a sustainable combustion, but with minimal energy not to excessively wear and heat the spark plug electrodes to avoid pre-ignition.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Farkostteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Vehicle Engineering (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Energiteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Energy Engineering (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

spark ignition

Ignitability

Internal combusiton engines

Renewable fuels

CNG

Biogas

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