Experimental Investigation on SI Engine Fueled with CNG-Biogas

blends
S.Sathish
1
, R.Senthilkumar
2
, S.Vivekanandan
3,

1
Research Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Annamalai University,
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Annamalai University,
3
Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Annamalai University,
Email:
1
sathishamg88@gmail.com ,
2
ksklme@rediffmail.com,
3
viveshanmugam@ymail.com


Abstract I n this research focus with the experimental investigation on spark ignition engine using CNG-Biogas
blends and also calculate the composition in exhaust emission from SI engine using CNG-Biogas blends and
petrol. The exhaust gas is a major reason of environmental pollution. Then exhaust gas pressure of carbon,
Hydrocarbon, nitrous oxide. Production and value of biogas is undemanding compared with other energy. The
purpose of this research is to find the conversion method of blending fuels CNG and Biogas fuelled with spark
ignition engine. These work CNG and Biogas combination various blends for 40% and 60% are used and
conducted the test on four strokes, single cylinder air cooled SI engine. The experimental investigations have
been analyzed and emission characteristics of HC, CO are better for blended fuels compared with CPG and
petrol.
Keywords: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), 4-Stroke Petrol Engine, CNG Biogas blends, Emission, spark
ignition.

1. Introduction :
The increasing energy demand for fuels and
emission are pollutant gases have triggered higher so,
we developing alternative fuels for automotive
industry. Compressed Natural gas (CNG) is one of
the alternative fuels because of CNG having high
octane number and low pollutions. CNG generally
Contain 90% of methane, and some amounts of
Ethane, Propane, Nitrogen, Helium, Carbon dioxide,
Hydrogen Sulphide, and Water Vapour [1].CNG is
having high octane number so operates smoothly and
also high compression ratio for without knocking, It
is have very low flame speed and durability for the
engine is very higher for compared with petrol [2].
The various blends are the biogas and
Compressed Natural gas (CNG) for high methane
composition. Spark ignition engine (SI) directly used
in biogas and some other cases blends with CNG
[3].Biogas used in this place of petrol decreases 65%
of hydro carbon emission from the engine [4]. Biogas
is a mixture of methane (50-75%), carbon dioxide
(25-45%) and small amounts of water vapour (2-7%),
as well as trace of some other gases as hydrogen,
oxygen, nitrogen, ammonia , sulfide (H2S 0.005-
25%)[5].The Air Mixture and combustion of methane
anti-detonation condition is very good for biogas
compared to petrol [6]. The methane in air having a
explosion limit of minimum and maximum are
respectively 2.5% and 15.8% [7].CNG is used for the
SI engines, that time easy to cause of abnormal
combustion technology, increasing compression
ratio, and enhancing the ignition energy of the biogas
fuel [8].Biogas and Natural gas is one of the
promising fuel for IC engines in futures. Compressed
natural gas (CNG) is used in many stationary
engines. Biogas and CNG blends easy to operate at
lean burn and Stoichiometric conditions with
different emission characteristics and combustion
phenomenon and CNG is used to very high pressure
about 200 bar or 2,900 PSI[9].Natural gas is one of
the environmental clean for alternative fuels. The
gasoline and diesel fuels is having low ignition
temperature compared to CNG and
Biogas[10].Natural gas motivated by emission and
also producing low emissions compared to petrol and
diesel fules.gaseous fuels is high transportation for
several reasons, the first reason is easily available,
the second compatibility of the environment, and
operating costs for the fuels, it is lower greenhouse
gas emissions[11].CNG vehicles is highly reduce the
emissions and particulate matters, and high load and
emission of methane, light loads reduce the carbon
monoxide[12]. Diesel engine used as a fuel for
natural gas main advantage of reduced the emission,
nitrogen oxides, particulates, carbon dioxides and
Hydro carbon emissions.
2. Experimental Procedure
This present work the study and emission
characteristics of CNG and biogas blends to run the
petrol engine. Here seamless steel cylinders used to
compress and store the Natural gas at working a
pressure of 250 bar safety burst disc and snuff-off
value fitted with the CNG-Cylinder because of safety
device. Biogas and natural gas are blends with the
help of gas mixer.
Table 1: Properties of the gasoline and CNG

The engine was tested at constant speed of
500rpm, maintaining at the various load condition.
Then gas regulator connected to the gas cylinder and
gas kit placed between gas flow meter. Check any
leakage from pipes and tight these pipe clamps. This
fan is supplied for air because of cooling purpose.
That time engine in neutral gear put of rheostat and
ignition switch of the engine is ON. This engine is
loaded and rotates in clock wise direction then
calculates the fuel consumption, gas flow meter and
ammeter. Then press choke and give a sharp kick,
engine will start and slowly increase the accelerator.
The hydraulic dynamometer (model noTFJ-250L)
used as a loading device and when we apply the load
on dynamometer continually coolant water was
supplied. The gas mixture used to mix the CNG and
biogas blends and flow meter used to measuring the
air flow rates of the gases fuels. The gas analyzer was
measuring the emission of the gasoline and gaseous
fuels from the outlet of the engine. CNG and biogas
blends flame speed is less compared to gasoline.
3. Result and Discussion

Fig.1Brake thermal efficiency vs break power


Fig.2 Specific fuel consumption vs break power
Fig.1. shows the variation of brake power
with brake thermal efficiency of the Si engine fuelled
with neat petrol, neat CNG and CNG plus biogas
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35
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petrol
CNG
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60%Bio
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Petrol
CNG
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Properties Gasoline CNG
Stoichiometric ratio
14.2

16.2
Octane number 94 130-140
Higher heating value
(Mj\Kg)

42

51.5
Lower heating value
40.2

44.8
Density@
25c (kg\m3)

780

2.80
Molecular weight
(kg\kmol)

98

22
Flame Speed cm (s) 29 38
blends. The result shows, brake thermal efficiency of
gaseous fuels are higher than neat petrol at all loading
condition. The 40% of biogas and CNG blend has
higher value of brake thermal efficiency at lower
loading condition compared to neat CNG and other
blend. Then it slightly reduced in middle loading
condition of the engine. Because of CNG and biogas
have higher calorific value when compared with neat
petrol and also gaseous fuels are easily mixed with
air and get homogeneous form than petrol fuel.
The variation of specific fuel consumption with brake
power is shown in Fig.2. It absorbed that neat CNG
has lower value of specific fuel consumption than
other blends and neat petrol. Because of CNG has
higher calorific value than soul petrol. So engine
consumed lower fuel when engine was running by
CNG fuel. And 40% of biogas and CNG blend is
lower SFC up to part load condition after that it
slightly increased and getting decreased at full load
compared to 60% biogas plus GNG blend and neat
petrol. But 40% of biogas and CNG blend has lower
value of specific fuel consumption than neat CNG.
Fig.3 Nitrous oxide vs break power

Fig.4 Carbondi oxide vs break power
The Fig.3 shows the variation of CO
emission for neat CNG, 40% of biogas plus CGN,
60% of biogas plus CNG and neat petrol with brake
power. From the above graph neat CNG is higher
value of CO emission than other fuels and it
increased with increasing load. The neat petrol has
lower value of carbon monoxide emission than other
fuelled SI engine. The 40% of biogas plus CNG
blend has higher value of CO emission at initial
loading condition of the engine after that it slightly
decreased in CO emission with increasing load. The
blend of 40% biogas plus CNG is reduced CO
emission about 25% than CNG and 2% than neat
petrol at full load.
Here Fig.4. Represent that the variation of NOx with
brake power of different fueled spark ignition engine.
It observed that neat CNG and other CNG plus
biogas blends have lower value in NOx emissions
when compared to neat petrol. The neat CNG and
other CNG plus biogas blends are having higher
cetane number compared to soul petrol. Due to that
CNG and other biogas plus CNG fuelled engine have
lower ignition timing compared to soul petrol.
Because of that gaseous fuels have lower NOx
emission than petroleum fuel. The neat CNG is
reduced 1000ppm of NOx emission than neat petrol
at full load.
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BREAK POWER in KW
Petrol
CNG
40% BIO
60% BIO
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Petrol
CNG
40% BIO
60% BIO

Fig.5 Hydrocarbon vs break power
The variation of HC emission for various fuelled SI
engine with brake power shown in Fig.5.The
hydrocarbon emission of all fuels are reduced with
increasing load. The neat petrol has minimum value
of HC emission than other fuels. And the neat CNG
has maximum value of HC emission than other fuels.
All the fuels are higher value of HC emission at
initial loading condition and it slightly decreased with
increasing load. At full load both the fuels are almost
same value of HC emission.
Conclusion
In this research, its clear that at
60%blending of biogas CNG the engine
performance is found to be very appreciable. This
60%blending fuel particularly high specific fuel
consumption and brake thermal efficiency and
mechanical efficiency CNG and 40% blending. And,
also the emission values of CO, HC and NOx are
decrease from biogas blends when compared to the
petrol, CNG. Here when blending percentage
increases the emission values are decreased. This
study pollution problem reduces because of blending
this eco-friendly fuel biogas.
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