Effects of Varying Excess Air Ratios on a Hydrogen-fueled Spark Ignition Engine with PFI and DI Systems under Low-load Conditions

In this study, the effects of varying excess air ratios on a 2.0 L naturally aspirated (NA) hydrogen-fueled spark ignition (SI) engine were evaluated under low-load conditions by using port fuel injection (PFI) and direct injection (DI) systems. The engine speeds chosen were 1,200 rpm and 2,000 rpm. The excess air ratio was varied between 1.0 and 2.7 by controlling the throttle and hydrogen fuel rate under a brake mean effective pressure of 0.4 MPa. The combustion mechanism, net indicated thermal efficiency (ITE), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), gas exchange efficiency, mechanical efficiency, and engine-out nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions were mainly discussed. The results indicated that the main combustion duration of PFI was shorter than that of DI due to its homogeneity, and the ITE values of PFI were similar or slightly lower than those of DI. However, as the mechanical efficiency of DI was higher than that of PFI, the BTE values of DI were always higher than those of PFI (the maximum BTE was 39.7 %). The NOx reduction potential of DI was superior to that of PFI due to stratified combustion, and its lowest value was 0.03 g/kWh. In addition, as the CO₂ concentration in the exhaust gas increased, the brake-specific CO₂ reduced (< 5.71 g/kWh).