Sluggish flame initiation and propagation, and even potential misfiring, become major problems with lean-fueled, premixed-charge, spark-ignited engines. This work studies torch ignition as a means for improving combustion, fuel economy, and emissions of a retrofitted, large combustion chamber with nonideal spark plug location. A number of alternative configurations, employing different torch chamber designs, spark-plug locations, and materials, were tested under full-load and part-load conditions. Results indicate a considerable extension of the lean operating limit of the engine, especially under part-load conditions. In addition, torch ignition can lead to substantial thermal efficiency gains for either leaner or richer air-fuel ratios than the optimum for the conventional ignition system. On the richer side, in particular, the torch-ignited engine is capable of operating at maximum brake torque spark timings, rather than compromised, knock-limited spark timings used with conventional ignition. This translates into thermal efficiency improvements as high as 8 percent at an air-fuel ratio of 20:1 and full load.
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October 1994
Research Papers
Torch Ignition: Ideal for Lean Burn Premixed-Charge Engines
N. S. Mavinahally,
N. S. Mavinahally
University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70122
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D. N. Assanis,
D. N. Assanis
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
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K. R. Govinda Mallan,
K. R. Govinda Mallan
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India 600-036
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K. V. Gopalakrishnan
K. V. Gopalakrishnan
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India 600-036
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N. S. Mavinahally
University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70122
D. N. Assanis
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
K. R. Govinda Mallan
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India 600-036
K. V. Gopalakrishnan
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India 600-036
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Oct 1994, 116(4): 793-798 (6 pages)
Published Online: October 1, 1994
Article history
Received:
January 28, 1994
Online:
April 24, 2008
Citation
Mavinahally, N. S., Assanis, D. N., Govinda Mallan, K. R., and Gopalakrishnan, K. V. (October 1, 1994). "Torch Ignition: Ideal for Lean Burn Premixed-Charge Engines." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. October 1994; 116(4): 793–798. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2906887
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