Performance and Emissions of an Ammonia-Fueled SI Engine with Hydrogen Enrichment

Abstract

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">While the optimization of the internal combustion engine (ICE) remains a very important topic, alternative fuels are also expected to play a significant role in the reduction of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. High energy densities and handling ease are their main advantages amongst other energy carriers. Ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) additionally contains no carbon and has a worldwide existing transport and storage infrastructure. It could be produced directly from renewable electricity, water and air, and is thus currently considered as a smart energy carrier and combustion fuel. However, ammonia presents a low combustion intensity and the risk of elevated nitrogen-based emissions, thus rendering in-depth investigation of its suitability as an ICE fuel necessary.</div><div class="htmlview paragraph">In the present study, a recent single-cylinder spark-ignition engine is fueled with gaseous ammonia/hydrogen/air mixtures at various hydrogen fractions, equivalence ratios and intake pressures. A small hydrogen fraction is used as combustion promoter and might be generated in-situ through NH<sub>3</sub> catalytic or heat-assisted dissociation. The in-cylinder pressure and exhaust concentrations of selected species are recorded and analyzed. Results show that ammonia is a very suitable fuel for SI engine operation, since high power outputs could be achieved with indicated efficiencies higher than 37% by taking advantage of the promoting effects of supercharging and hydrogen enrichment around 10% by volume. High NOx and unburned NH<sub>3</sub> exhaust concentrations were also observed under fuel-lean and fuel-rich conditions, respectively. While hydrogen enrichment promotes the NH<sub>3</sub> combustion efficiency and helps reducing its exhaust concentration, it has a promoting effect on NOx formation, assumedly due to higher flame temperatures. Therefore, it is recommended to take advantage of the simultaneous presence of exhaust heat, NOx and NH<sub>3</sub> in a dedicated after-treatment device to ensure the economic and environmental viability of future ammonia-fueled engine systems.</div></div>