Abstract
Abstract
The objective of this research is to investigate the improvement of engine performance with high ignition energy. In order to study this objective, two different spark ignition engines are employed and four different ignition systems are adopted. The ignition energy, combustion pressure, exhaust gases and fuel consumption are measured to evaluate engine performances. In addition, the heat release rate, mass fraction burned and coefficient of variation (COV) of indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) are calculated with the measured pressures. The results reveal that high ignition energy shortens the combustion duration, improves the engine stability and reduces fuel consumption. When a higher ignition energy is applied to a lean mixture, the emission of hydrocarbons (HC) is reduced while an engine with the conventional ignition energy produces higher HO emission. A faster heat release rate and a higher mass fraction burned also result. When the same amount of ignition energy is applied to a lean mixture, the burning velocity is slow as the discharge duration becomes longer, but the COV of IMEP is improved.
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