Experimental Investigations on the Performance Characteristics of a Producer Gas Fuelled Spark Ignition Engine

Experimental investigations relating to the use of producer gas in a spark ignition engine are reported in the proposed paper. The experimental setup consists of a single cylinder diesel engine converted to operate on a spark ignition engine mode coupled to a swinging field electrical dynamometer. A downdraft closed top charcoal gasifier has been used to generate the producer gas. After cooling and cleaning, it is fed to a venturi type gas carburetor, which ensures proper mixing of gas and air before it enters the engine. Testing of the converted engine was carried out under gasoline mode at a specified compression ratio. However subsequent tests on producer gas operation were performed at different compression ratios. The significant outcome of the present investigations include the satisfactory conversion of diesel engine to a spark ignition mode for neat producer gas operation and satisfactory operation of gas carburetor designed and developed for the purpose. The converted engine experienced a derating of about 20 % on gasoline mode and 40 % on producer gas operation. Brake thermal efficiencies were in the range of 24 to 28 % for gasoline operation as compared to 18 to 22 % for producer gas operation. Carbon monoxide emissions were less than 1 % by volume and hydrocarbon emissions were negligible throughout the entire load operations at all engines speeds and compression ratios. The cyclic variations in peak cylinder gas pressure were observed to be higher for producer gas operated engine as compared to the gasoline version. It is anticipated that the present studies could pave the way for the exploration of developing producer gas operated engines.