The Effect of Composition of Synthesis Gas on the Parameters of Supercharged Combustion Engine

Abstract Synthesis gases produced from municipal waste or plastic waste pose a great alternative source of energy, as they are not only reducing dependency on the fossil fuels, but also diversify energy sector and reduce the amount of a landfilled waste. This is directly related to the recent initiatives and legislation related to the greening of transport. The presented contribution focuses on the influence of six selected synthesis gases on the internal parameters of an internal combustion engine intended for cogeneration. The investigated gases fall into the category of medium-energy gases (8 – 14 MJ.kg −1 ). The experimental measurements have shown that mainly the proportion of hydrogen in the mixture has an effect on shortening the burning time and also on the maximum rate of pressure increase. A higher proportion of CO and H 2 increased the maximum combustion pressure with slightly reduced power. The concentration of CH 4 directly affected the volumetric value of the heating value of the mixture with a subsequent direct effect on the IMEP or engine torque. The engine operating at full load at speed of 1500 min −1 , when running on the selected mixtures in comparison with the operation on natural gas, decreased its engine torque in the range between 13 and 20% and increased its hourly fuel consumption from 2.31 kg.h −1 for natural gas to the span of 7.90 - 12.30 kg.h −1 for measured gases. During the measurement of the control characteristic all investigated synthesis gases have developed an abnormal (detonation) combustion near the optimum pre-ignition angle.