Gas Engine Ignition System for Long-Life Spark Plugs

Author(s):  
Daisuke Nakano ◽  
Takahiro Suzuki ◽  
Masayoshi Matsui
Keyword(s):  
Author(s):  
A. K. Chan ◽  
S. H. Waters

An ignition system that is based on the alternating (AC) rather than the traditional direct (DC) current in the spark plug discharge has been developed at the Caterpillar Technical Center. This system can generate a long duration discharge with controllable power. It is believed that such an ignition system can provide both a leaner operating limit and a longer spark plug life than a traditional DC system due to the long discharge duration and the low discharge power. The AC ignition system has successfully been tested on a Caterpillar single cylinder G3500 natural gas engine to determine the effects on the engine performance, combustion characteristics and emissions. The test results indicate that while the AC ignition system has only a small impact on engine performance (with respect to a traditional DC system), it does extend the lean limit with lower NOx emissions. Evidences also show the potential of reduce spark plug electrode erosions from the low breakdown and sustaining discharge powers from the AC ignition system. This paper summarizes the prototype design and engine demonstration results of the AC ignition system.


Author(s):  
Hongxun Gao ◽  
Matt J. Hall ◽  
Ofodike A. Ezekoye ◽  
Ron D. Matthews

It is a very challenging problem to reliably ignite extremely lean mixtures, especially for the low speed, high load conditions of stationary large-bore natural gas engines. If these engines are to be used for the distributed power generation market, it will require operation with higher boost pressures and even leaner mixtures. Both place greater demands on the ignition system. The railplug is a very promising ignition system for lean burn natural gas engines with its high-energy deposition and high velocity plasma jet. High-speed photography was used to study the discharge process. A heat transfer model is proposed to aid the railplug design. A parameter study was performed both in a constant volume bomb and in an operating natural gas engine to improve and optimize the railplug designs. The engine test results show that the newly designed railplugs can ensure the ignition of very lean natural gas mixtures and extend the lean stability limit significantly. The new railplug designs also improve durability.


Author(s):  
David L. Ahrens ◽  
Azer P. Yalin ◽  
Daniel B. Olsen ◽  
Gi-Heon Kim

Using a laser, as opposed to a conventional (electrical) spark plug, to create a combustion initiating spark is potentially advantageous for several reasons: flexibility in choosing and optimizing the spark location, in particular to move the spark away from solid heat sinks; production of a more robust spark containing more energy; and obviation of electrode erosion problems. These advantages may lead to an extension of the lean limit, an increase in engine thermal efficiency, and the concomitant benefits of reduced pollutant emissions. This paper presents the design of a laser ignition system appropriate for a large bore natural gas engine. Design considerations include: optimization of spark location, design of beam delivery system and optical plug, and mitigation of vibration and thermal effects. Engine test results will be presented in the second paper of this two-paper series.


Author(s):  
Azer P. Yalin ◽  
Morgan W. Defoort ◽  
Sachin Joshi ◽  
Daniel Olsen ◽  
Bryan Willson ◽  
...  

A practical impediment to implementation of laser ignition systems has been the open-path beam delivery used in past research. In this contribution, we present the development and implementation of a fiber-optically delivery laser spark ignition system. To our knowledge, the work represents the first demonstration of fiber coupled laser ignition (using a remote laser source) of a natural gas engine. A Nd:YAG laser is used as the energy source and a coated hollow fiber is used for beam energy delivery. The system was implemented on a single-cylinder of a Waukesha VGF 18 turbo charged natural gas engine and yielded consistent and reliable ignition. In addition to presenting the design and testing of the fiber delivered laser ignition system, we present initial design concepts for a multiplexer to ignite multiple cylinders using a single laser source, and integrated optical diagnostic approaches to monitor the spark ignition and combustion performance.


Author(s):  
David L. Ahrens ◽  
Daniel B. Olsen ◽  
Azer P. Yalin

Using a laser, as opposed to a conventional (electrical) spark plug, to create a combustion initiating spark is potentially advantageous for several reasons: flexibility in choosing and optimizing the spark location, in particular to move the spark away from solid heat sinks; production of a more robust spark containing more energy; and obviation of electrode erosion problems. In this paper we present the on-engine test results of the laser ignition system on a large bore natural gas engine. Test results include: mass fraction burn duration, hydrocarbon emissions data, and combustion stability comparisons to the conventional spark plug ignition system. Design and spark location considerations for the laser ignition system were presented in the first paper of this two-paper series.


Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafał Ślefarski ◽  
Michał Gołębiewski ◽  
Paweł Czyżewski ◽  
Przemysław Grzymisławski ◽  
Jacek Wawrzyniak

Author(s):  
Corey A. Honl

A non-fueled prechamber ignition system was developed to provide for controlled and stable combustion to best support the goals of both Waukesha Engine and the ARES program. This paper will provide details and results of efforts undertaken in optimization of the following design aspects: tangential angle of prechamber orifice channels in relation to head-induced cylinder swirl, prechamber orifice diameter, prechamber volume (spark plug recess in precombustion chamber), and recession of the entire precombustion chamber into the cylinder head. A number of important conclusions will be verified and presented based on the development work done on a laboratory engine.


2012 ◽  
Vol 468-471 ◽  
pp. 1794-1797
Author(s):  
Xiao Na Sun ◽  
Hong Guang Zhang ◽  
Guo Yong Zheng

Power performance tests of natural gas engine were carried out using a self-dependent developed electronic injection system and ignition system, and a comparative analysis between the natural gas engine and original gasoline engine was conducted. The result shows that if the gasoline engine is fueled with NG torque of the engine decreases and with the throttle opening increases, the decrease amplitude increases. Developing a suitable electronic ignition system can recover engine torque to some extent. Under the conditions that both throttle opening and rotation speed of the engine are constant, MBT angle increases with the decrease of mixture concentration.


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