Biogas Fuel For Internal Combustion Engines

N. Mustafi, R. R. Raine and P. K. Bansal

Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Auckland

Outline: Literature Review

1. 2. 3. 4.

Spark ignition (SI) engines Compression ignition (CI) engines Conclusions Future research scope

What is biogas and why ?

Biogas produced by anaerobic fermentation of organic wastes, Biogas = CH4 + CO2 + H2S + N2 + H2 etc. The extensive use of fossil fuels in internal combustion (IC) engines a major concern of the global environment pollution Their reserves are depleting rapidly To look for and to use the alternative fuels especially in IC engines

What is biogas and why ?

Biogas can be regarded as an alternative fuel for IC engines because-- Renewable fuel produced from waste biomass -- Its combustion does not increase the net amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and free from SOx emissions -- It has a typical calorific value of 21.48 MJ/m3

Studies on SI engines (1)

Effect of fuel quality on engine performances

Alder et al. (1989); Karim et al. (1992)

Studies on SI engines (2)

Cylinder peak pressure decreases
speed = 2000 r/min, CR = 13 and RAFR = 0.98 2500 r/min, RAFR = 0.97 and CO2 fraction = 37.5%

Huang et al.(1998)

Studies on SI engines (3)

BP decreases and BSEC increases
Fuel-1: 60% NG/40% CO2 Fuel-2: 75% NG/25% CO2 Fuel-3: 55% NG/35% CO2/ 10%N2

At full throttle and MBT

At full throttle, 2350 rpm and MBT timing

Wong J.K.S. (1977) and Midkiff et al. (2001) respectively

Studies on SI engines (4)

BTE decreases NOx decreases substantially
Fuel-1: 60% NG/40% CO2 Fuel-2: 75% NG/25% CO2 Fuel-3: 55% NG/35% CO2/ 10%N2

NG+15%CO2 -Biogas A NG+25%CO2 - Biogas B NG+38%CO2 - Biogas C

NG Biogas A Biogas B Biogas C

bte

Gasoline

Relative A/F ratio

Huang et al. (1998); Midkiff et al. (2001)

Studies on SI engines (5)

Both HC and CO increase a little compared to NG

Midkiff et al. (2001)

Studies on SI engines (6)

Modelling and computer simulation works:
SIMGAS for thermodynamic cycle analysis Mass fraction burnt, burn duration Turbulent burning velocity Effects of ST and A/F ratio, and emissions Piston ring blowby flowrate Engine overhaul life

Studies on SI engines (7)

Veltur peaks decrease Causes longer burn duration

Whiston et al. (1991); Stone et al. (1993)

Studies on SI engines (8)

Fast burn improves efficiency Effect of H2 addition

Indicated efficiency (%)

Stone et al. (1993); Tanoue et al. (2000)

Brake efficiency (%)

Studies on SI engines (9)

Two major problems encountered at co-generation systems
Failure of wrist pins and corrosion of the main and rod bearings Carbon diposits around the piston and valves

Solutions: Use of high TBN engine oil and frequent oil monitoring

Pellerin et al. (1988); Fulton A.C. (1991)

Studies on CI engines (1)

Operate on dual-fuel mode for gaseous fuelling
They offer higher efficiencies than SI, due to a higher CR Biogas with upto 30% CO2 could improve engine performance -- as compared with NG Smoke and SO2 emissions can be reduced

Bilcan et al. (2003); Bari S. (1996); Mathur et al. (1986)

Studies on CI engines (2)

overall decreases but improves compared to SI engines upto 30% CO2 in biogas improves bsfc

Henam et al. (1998); Bari S. (1996)

Studies on CI engines (3)

Modelling and computer simulation works:
the engine load for a given Ignition delay Thermodynamic cycle analysis for engine performances

& & m f pilot and m f primary

NOx using exhaust gas temperature

No predictions either for combustion analysis or exhaust emissions

Conclusions
promising alternative renewable fuel for IC engines
Higher CR, advanced ST and possibly small amount of H2 addition could make biogas comparable to NG Dual-fuel CI engine applications have greater potentials Limited Research is available in the literature on both SI and CI engines.

Future Research Scope

Study and analysis of cyclic variability of SI engine operated with biogas Development of a lean mixture, fast burning SI engine for biogas combustion Modelling and computer simulation of biogas operated SI engines to predict the optimum ST, CO2%, CR, ignition source, emissions etc. to provide improved engine performances Experimental investigation of a dual-fuel CI engine operated with biogas-diesel along with PM emissions Modelling and computer simulation of biogas-diesel dual-fuel CI engines to predict the optimum operating parameters/conditions to provide improved engine performances

Thank you