Experimental Investigation of Spark-Assisted Compression-Ignition with Ammonia-Hydrogen Blends

Carbon-free emissions and stable operation of ammonia-fueled internal combustion engines have been demonstrated in recent studies through combustion strategies suited to the fuel’s unique properties. High ignition energy and slow flame speed of ammonia are typically compensated for by hydrogen addition and/or enhanced ignition systems while the high octane rating of ammonia allows high compression ratio. The experimental study in this work investigates the performance of ammonia in spark-assisted compression-ignition (SACI) mode, where the cylinder charge is spark ignited and a subsequent auto-ignition event results in a faster burn and more ideal combustion phasing. The high-compression ratio engine was fueled by 100% anhydrous ammonia or blends with small quantities of hydrogen (2.5% and 5% by volume). Fuels were port-injected for a homogeneous intake charge mixture at stoichiometric equivalence ratio. Two different engine speeds were tested at several intake temperatures and spark timings. All cases showed an inflection point in the apparent heat release rate (AHRR) followed by more rapid rate of heat release, signaling the onset of auto-ignition. Blending hydrogen in the fuel benefited gross indicated mean effective pressure (gIMEP) at maximum brake torque (MBT) timing, but pure ammonia fuel was more stable across a wide range of spark timings and intake temperatures. Burn durations in the present study were similar to those of conventional SI engines fueled by gasoline indicating that the combustion enhancement of SACI compensated for the lower flame speed of ammonia. The control of SI percent, defined as the fraction of heat release before auto-ignition compared to the total heat release, is shown to be strongly related to the sensitivity of auto-ignition timing to spark timing. Unburned ammonia emissions are hypothesized to be primarily driven by unburned gases trapped in the crevices and are mitigated slightly through blending hydrogen in the fuel or by increasing intake temperature. However, the addition of hydrogen and increasing intake temperature led to increased nitric oxide (NO) emissions. Of primary concern because of its potent global warming potential, nitrous oxide (N₂O) did not show a clear trend with fuel hydrogen content or intake temperature, but definitively increased for the higher engine speed.