An experimental investigation into chemical additive effects on ignition delay of methane injected into air

grantor: University of TorontoExperiments were performed to investigate if possible synergy exists between two additives introduced to methane that would result in a shorter ignition delay than that for natural gas or methane containing only one additive. Testing was conducted in both a compression-ignition engine and a combustion bomb that afford optical access into the combustion chamber. Initial engine tests showed the importance of minimizing the injector sac volume of injectors for gaseous fuels. In combustion bomb tests with no power supplied to the glowplug, the methane mixtures reduced the ignition delay value by a factor of three compared to natural gas. Even with the additives, however, the ignition delay times achieved under the conditions tested are too long for practical use in an engine (