Combustion and emission characteristics of HCNG in a constant volume chamber

Finding an alternative fuel and reducing environmental pollution are the main goals for future internal combustion engines. Hydrogen-methane (HCNG) is now considered an alternative fuel due to its low emission and high burning rate. An experimental study was carried out to obtain fundamental data for the combustion and emission characteristics of pre-mixed hydrogen and methane in a constant volume chamber (CVC) with various fractions of hydrogen-methane blends. A pre-mixed chamber was used to obtain a good mixture of these gases. Exhaust emissions were measured using a Horiba exhaust gas analyzer for various fractions of hydrogen-methane blends. The results showed that the rapid combustion duration was shortened, and the rate of heat release elevated as the hydrogen fraction in the fuel blend was increased. Moreover, the maximum mean gas temperature and the maximum rate of pressure rise also increased. These phenomena were attributed to the burning velocity, which increased exponentially with the increased hydrogen fraction in the fuel blend. Exhaust HC and CO(2) concentrations decreased, while NO(X) emission increased with an increase in the hydrogen fraction in the fuel blend. Our results could facilitate the application of hydrogen and methane as a fuel in the current fossil hydrocarbon-based economy and the strict emission regulations in internal combustion engines.