In this study, the influence of the charge motion on the internal combustion in a spark ignition sewage gas-driven engine (150 kW) for combined heat and power (CHP) units was investigated. For this purpose, the geometry of the combustion chamber in the immediate vicinity to the inlet valve seats was modified. The geometrical modification measures were conducted iteratively by integrative determination of the swirl motion on a flow bench, by laser-optical methods and consecutively by combustion analysis on a test engine. Two different versions of cylinder heads were characterized by dimensionless flow and swirl numbers prior to testing their on-engine performance. Combustion analysis was conducted with a cylinder pressure indication system for partial and full load, meeting the mandatory NOx limit of 500 mg m−3. Subsuming the flow bench results, the new valve seat design has a significant enhancing impact on the swirl motion but it also leads to disadvantages concerning the volumetric efficiency. A comparative consideration of the combustion rate delivers that the increased swirl motion results in a faster combustion, hence in a higher efficiency. In summary, the geometrical modifications close to the valve seat result in increased turbulence intensity. It was proven that this intensification raises the ratio of efficiency by 1.6%.

Electrical efficiency is an important factor for most of the owners of gas engines. To reach a high electrical efficiency, engine manufacturers use four valve cylinder head technology on new designed engines. The change from two valve to four valve technology, in combination with optimized charge motion, can achieve an increase of electrical efficiency up to 2.5%. A significant number of engines in the market are only equipped with two valve cylinder heads, thus leaving potential to reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption. The scope of the paper applies to the modernization of an already well established gas engine series available on the market with a power range of 500–1100kW [1]. In the first step, the potentials were considered purely in the context of a change in configuration of the spark plug, to pre-chamber spark plug. As second step an optimization of the ports was examined. Due to the pre-existing high level of development of the combustion stage, combined with an adaption of the boost charging system, an improvement of almost 2.5% was achieved. According to data sheets, modern gas engines within this power range have efficiencies in the range of ηe ∼ 44%. The project team therefore proceeded to develop a new cylinder head along with new design leading to a better combustion. Minimizing changes around the periphery of the engine was a prerequisite in order to complete these on site as part of the 30.000-hour service. Intake- as well as exhaustport geometries were optimized with the aid of CFD tools, such that swirl and flow capacity values achieved their specified objectives. The geometries of the water jacket and valve train were also optimized through a similar methodology. These changes led to a 7% reduction in gas exchange work, which directly reflect within improved efficiency levels. Altogether, the various measures (including combustion optimization) resulted in an efficiency improvement of about 2.5% leading to an electric efficiency of 42.9%. The first endurance run shows that the mechanics match the expected technical requirements. Very low wear rates despite the increased masses of the valve train could be reached due to higher qualities in terms of materials. The paper focuses particularly on the flow optimization in conjunction with the variables surrounding the mechanic design. Finally, the test results of the pilot engines are presented alongside an economic analysis.

This paper presents a newly developed method using rapid prototyping (RP) to develop gas engine cylinder heads with optimized charge motion characteristics to adapt to lean-burn and Miller combustion process requirements. The geometry in close vicinity to the inlet valve seats was designed to increase swirl and flow performance of the cylinder heads. A three-dimensional (3D) printer was used to realize a rapid prototyping concept for the testing of multiple designs; the effects of the different designs were measured using a static flow test bench and a laser-optical method to visualize the flow patterns. The results of the static flow bench tests showed potentially higher flow and swirl performance, with one high-swirl version proving beneficial specifically for lean-combustion and one high-flow version matching the Miller combustion requirements. The two cylinder head versions were then manufactured and the lean-combustion version was tested for on-engine performance on a 150 kW sewage-gas driven lean-combustion engine. It has been shown that the cylinder head generates higher swirl on the test bench but achieves only a slight increase in combustion speed on the test engine. The potential to increase engine efficiency by intensifying swirl is, therefore, considered exploitable. Research has further shown the coefficient of variance (CoV) was reduced by 0.3–1.2%. Charge exchange losses have also been demonstrated to decrease at all tested engine settings. It has further been found that higher swirl intensity has a positive impact on engine emission levels, as the engine out carbon monoxide (CO) emission can be reduced by approximately 70 mg·m−3.

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Turbocharged gas engines for combined heat and power units are optimized to increase efficiency while observing and maintaining legitimate exhaust gas emissions. In order to do so, the charge motion is raised. This study investigates the influence of passive prechamber spark plugs in high turbulent combustion chambers. The subjects of investigation are two different gas engine types, one of them running on sewage gas the other one on biogas. The occurring charge motions initiated by the cylinder heads are measured by integrative determination of swirl motion on a flow bench. In addition, three different passive prechamber spark plugs are characterized by a combustion analysis. Each of the three spark plugs comes with a different electrode or prechamber geometry. The resulting combustion and operating conditions are compared while the equal brake mean effective pressure and constant NOx-emissions are sustained. The results of the combustion analysis show a rising influence of the spark plug with increasing air-to-fuel-ratio induced by charge motion. Furthermore, clear differences between the spark plugs are determined: electrode arrangement and prechamber geometry help to influence lean misfire limits, engine smoothness, start behavior and ignition delay. The results indicate the capability of spark plugs to increase lifetime and engine efficiency.