Research on the Control Strategy of Variable Nozzle Turbocharger for Natural Gas Engine

A variable nozzle turbocharger （VNT） was applied to a 2.2-liter L4 natural gas engine,and a VNT control system was designed to operate it.Based on VNT matching test results,a VNT control strategy was studied,in which VNT adjustment is carried out through pre-calibrated VNT handling rod position,combined with a closed-loop target boost pressure feedback using proportional-integral-derivative（PID） algorithm.Experimental results showed that the VNT control system presented in this thesis can lead to optimized performance of VNT,increase engine volumetric efficiency over a wide speed range,improve engine dynamic characteristics and upgrade economic performance.

High-Efficiency and Clean Combustion Natural Gas Engines for Vehicles

Natural gas engines have become increasingly important in transportation applications,especially in the commercial vehicle sector.With increasing demand for high efficiency and low emissions,new technologies must be explored to overcome the performance limitations of natural gas engines such as limits on lean or dilute combustion,unstable combustion,low burning velocity,and high emissions of CH_(4) and NO_(x).This paper reviews the progress of research on natural gas engines over recent decades,concentrating on ignition and combustion systems,mixture preparation,the development of different combustion modes,and after-treatment strategies.First,the features,advantages,and disadvantages of natural gas engines are introduced,following which the development of advanced ignition systems,organization of highly turbulent flows,and the preparation of high-reactivity mixtures in spark ignition engines are discussed with a focus on pre-chamber jet ignition,combustion chamber design,and H_(2)-enriched natural gas combustion.Third,the progress in natural gas dual-fuel engines is highlighted,including the exploration of new combustion modes,the development of novel pilot fuels,and the optimization of combustion control strategies.The fourth section discusses after-treatment systems for natural gas engines operating in different combustion modes.Finally,conclusions and future trends in the development of high-efficiency and clean combus-tion in natural gas engines are summarized.

Novel Oxygen Storage Components Promoted Palladium Catalysts for Emission Control in Natural Gas Powered Engines

A three-way catalyst comprised novel oxygen storage components for emission control in natural gas powered engines was prepared. The addition of novel oxygen storage components to the Pd/γ-Al2O3 catalysts resulted in improved activities of the fresh and aged catalyst by lowering the light-off temperature for methane in natural gas engines exhaust.

Analysis of Emissions Profiles of Hydraulic Fracturing Engine Technologies

Today, the oil and gas industry, and in particular hydraulic fracturing operations, have come under increasing pressure from regulators and the public to reduce emissions. As the industry evolves, oil and gas producers are in the position of evaluating alternative technologies which will support their objectives of reducing their overall emissions profile and carbon footprint. As a response, the deployment of technology and solutions to reduce emissions related to hydraulic fracturing applications has recently accelerated, creating various options to address these industry challenges. BJ Energy Solutions and West Virginia University have been working on the application and emissions characterization of various hydraulic fracturing technologies. A study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency and resultant emissions from various technologies, including natural gas reciprocating engines, diesel-natural gas dual-fuel engines, large (>24 MW) gas turbines, and direct drive turbines. The study involved the development of an emissions model with the purpose of estimating total emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) and exhaust methane (CH4) slip, all Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), and converted to tons of CO2 equivalent emissions per day of operation. The model inputs are the required Hydraulic Horsepower (HHP) based on pumping rate and pressure for various shale play scenarios. The model calculates emissions from the TITAN, which is a direct-drive turbine model fielded by BJ, using data collected following U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) testing protocols. The model also calculates and compares other hydraulic fracturing technologies utilizing published Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) data. Relevant EPA-regulated criteria emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Particulate Matter (PM) are also reported. Modeling results demonstrated that in most cases, the TITAN gas turbine system has lower total GHG emissions than conventional diesel and other next-generation technologies, and also has lower criteria emissions. The benefits of the TITAN gas turbine system compared to the other technologies stems from significantly lower methane slip, and the high-power transfer efficiency resulting from directly connecting a turbine to a reciprocating pump, despite the comparatively lower thermal efficiency.

Influence of Mixture Gas Conditions on the Laminar Combustion Characteristics of Natural Gas

Natural gas is a promising alternative fuel for the internal combustion engine,and natural gas engine has become an efficient and feasible measure to deal with the energy shortage and climate change.Since the laminar flame characteristics are the foundation of the turbulent flame,the laminar flame characteristics of natural gas have a significant impact on the combustion status and efficiency of the engine.A visual constant volume bomb was used to study the influence of the gas components,different excess air coefficient(λ),and initial conditions on the laminar combustion characteristics of natural gas.The experimental results showed that when the initial pressure and temperature were 0.1 MPa and 300 K respectively,compared to propane,ethane had a remarkable influence on the equivalent-combustion laminar-combustion-speed,with an average increase of approximately 5.1%for every 2.5%increase in the ethane proportion.The laminar combustion velocity of the natural gas under different excess air coefficients had a maximum value at aboutλ=1.0,and the Markstein length of the flame decreased with the increase of theλ.The increase in the initial pressure of the mixture resulted in a decrease in the equivalent-combustion laminar-combustion-speed of the flame,a significant decrease in the Markstein length.The increase of the initial temperature of the mixture led to a rapid increase of the equivalent-combustion laminar-combustion-speed,but the effect on the flame Markstein length was not dominant.

Analysis of Non-Selective Catalyst Reduction Performance with Dedicated Exhaust Gas Recirculation

Rich burn industrial natural gas engines offer best in class post catalyst emissions by using a non-selective catalyst reduction aftertreatment technology. However, they operate with reduced power density when compared to lean burn engines. Dedicated exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) offers a possible pathway for rich burn engines to use non-selective catalyst reduction aftertreatment technology without sacrificing power density. In order to achieve best in class post catalyst emissions, the precious metals and washcoat of a non-selective catalyst must be designed according to the expected exhaust composition of an engine. In this work, a rich burn industrial natural gas engine operating with dedicated EGR was paired with a commercially available non-selective catalyst. At rated brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) the air-fuel ratio was swept between rich and lean conditions to compare the catalyst reduction efficiency and post catalyst emissions of rich burn and dedicated EGR combustion. It was found that due to low oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions across the entire air-fuel ratio range, dedicated EGR offers a much larger range of air-fuel ratios where low regulated emissions can be met. Low engine out NOx also points towards a possibility of using an oxidation catalyst rather than a non-selective catalyst for dedicated EGR applications. The location of the NOx-CO tradeoff was shifted to more rich conditions using dedicated EGR.