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Effect of spark plug protrusion on the performance and emission characteristics of an engine fueled by hydrogen-natural gas blends

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Abstract

Mixtures of hydrogen and natural gas are promising for improving efficiency and reducing harmful emissions in spark ignition engines, since limits of flammability can be extended while stable combustion is secured. In this research, the combustion characteristics of long electrode spark plugs were evaluated in a hydrogen blended with natural gas (HCNG) engine. Decreases in the flame propagation distance through the use of spark plugs can lead to increased burning rates and further improvement of fuel economy in HCNG engines. An 11-liter heavy duty lean burn engine was employed and performance characteristics including emissions were assessed according to the spark timing of the minimum advance for best torque (MBT) for each operating condition. Retarded MBT spark advance timing with long electrode spark plugs due to increased burning speed supported increases in engine efficiency and reductions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. The lower positions of initial flame kernels due to the use of long electrode spark plugs were preferable to improvements of cyclic variability due to reduced flame front quenching, and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions at the flammability limit were also improved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental and Energy Systems Research Division, Department of Engine Research, KIMM, Daejeon, Korea

    Cheolwoong Park, Changgi Kim, Young Choi & Sunyoup Lee

Authors
  1. Cheolwoong Park
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  2. Changgi Kim
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  3. Young Choi
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  4. Sunyoup Lee
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Correspondence to Cheolwoong Park.

Additional information

Recommended by Associate Editor Kyoung Doug Min

Cheolwoong Park is currently a senior researcher in Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM). Before his tenure at KIMM, he worked at Gas engine technology part of Samsung Techwin, Korea. His main interest is in engine combustion, emission control and alternative fuels.

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Park, C., Kim, C., Choi, Y. et al. Effect of spark plug protrusion on the performance and emission characteristics of an engine fueled by hydrogen-natural gas blends. J Mech Sci Technol 28, 1539–1544 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-014-0140-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-014-0140-4

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