Control methods for variations in natural gas composition in air–fuel controlled natural gas engines

Abstract In the present study, the countermeasures are proposed to minimize the problem on torque and power output performance and exhaust gas emissions of natural gas engine with use of lower calorific gas. An experiment was conducted to identify thermal efficiency and harmful exhaust gas emission characteristics under partial load conditions in order to improve efficient fuel use in engines affected by the introduction of low calorific gases. A countermeasure for coping with emission gas regulations and preventing thermal efficiency deterioration under rated power operating conditions was then presented. An 11 L six-cylinder turbo-charged engine for city buses compliant with the EURO 6 regulation was used in the experiment, and the results obtained using the reference natural gas fuel were compared with those obtained using simulated low calorific gases. Pure methane (CH 4) was also used to investigate the effects of gas composition changes on thermal efficiency and exhaust gas emissions. When N 2 is added or pure CH 4 is used under partial load operating conditions, the combustion rate decreases; consequently, the optimum ignition timing is additionally advanced relative to that obtained when the reference natural gas fuel is used. If the N 2 mixing ratio is increased to a minimum of 4.7% under rated power operating conditions, combustion becomes unstable. Stable operation can be secured by increasing the set base fuel amount, 2.35% and 9.41% for pure CH 4 and 8% N 2 , respectively; however, torque decreases in proportion to the combustion speed of the gas fuel. The strategy of boost pressure control for the torque compensation can minimize the decrease in thermal efficiency.