Effect of the operation strategy and spark plug conditions on the torque output of a hydrogen port fuel injection engine

Abstract A port injection engine that supplies hydrogen to the intake manifold or port exhibits a low intake air amount and torque output. The torque output is limited by backfire. In the present study, the performance and efficiency of a port injection-type hydrogen engine using the fuel injector of a natural gas engine is investigated at various engines speeds under wide open throttle conditions and two operation strategies, i.e., limiting nitrogen oxide emission and maximizing the torque. The increase in electrode temperature is reduced by increasing the heat rating number of the spark plug or reducing the ignition energy applied to the spark plug. Even when the ignition energy is reduced, as the minimum ignition energy of hydrogen is very low, it does not eliminate backfire. However, when a cold-type spark plug is used, backfire is effectively suppressed, resulting in an increase in the maximum torque and a decrease in efficiency.