A Fundamental Study of Spark Ignition for a Large-Bore Single Cylinder Natural Gas Engine

Abstract

The natural gas industry has entered a substantial boom recently as the world seeks out more forms of inexpensive, reliable, and more environmentally friendly energy. Moving this natural gas requires a complex network of pipelines and compressors, including reciprocating engines, to keep the gas moving. These engines are of older design and must be retrofit with modern technologies to improve their performance as well as reduce the emissions that they produce. In this study a directed energy ignition system is tested on a two-stroke, single cylinder engine. Stability and emissions will be observed throughout a range of spark durations and currents for a single speed and load that allows for the most fuel-lean operation of the engine. The results from this study will be analyzed and discussed with Altronic LLC., so as to improve their directed energy ignition technologies.

Many of the pipeline engines in use today lack many of the features found on more modern engines, being as many of the engines are between forty and seventy years old. A challenge under active research by those associated with these engines is in meeting emissions. One means of doing so is by running the engine with less fuel. To accomplish this an ignition system that can send more energy to the spark plug in a controlled manner is of great interest in optimizing for use on these engines. This research investigates a single operating speed and load for 9 different spark energy configurations. Engine operation at these test conditions will allow data of the emissions and engine performance to be assessed in contrast to standard ignition performance.