Improving idle performance of a hydrogen-gasoline rotary engine at stoichiometric condition

Because of the unusual structure chamber compared with traditional engines, gasoline rotary engine always encounters partial burning and increased noxious emissions at the idle. Hydrogen-addition could enhance the characteristics of combustion and emissions of sparked-ignited engines at idle. A modified gasoline rotary engine with electronic spark control and fuel (gasoline and hydrogen) port-injection system was developed to study the impact of hydrogen-addition on idle performance of a gasoline rotary engine. A hybrid electronic control unit was invented to manage the spark, fuel injection, hydrogen volume fraction of the total intake and overall excess air ratio. In this study, the engine was operating at the idle speed of 2400 rpm and stoichiometric conditions. The hydrogen volume fraction was gradually varied from 0% to 6.8%. Results showed that the coefficient of variation in speed and fuel energy flow rate were both decreased after the hydrogen addition. Flame development and propagation periods were shortened owning to hydrogen-addition. The peak chamber temperature was enhanced after the hydrogen addition due to the high adiabatic flame temperature of hydrogen. Cooling loss was dropped when hydrogen was added into gasoline. HC, CO and CO2 emissions were reduced by 79.4%, 86.0% and 25.9% when hydrogen volume fraction were raised from 0% to 6.8%. (C) 2017 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.