The experimental study on cyclic variation in a spark ignited engine fueled with biogas and hydrogen blends

An experimental research on combustion instability of a spark ignited single cylinder engine operating on biogas with different distribution ratio of hydrogen (15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35% in volume) is studied. The results show that the increase of the hydrogen fraction in the fuel blends leads to the decrease of the cyclic variation coefficient of indicated mean effective pressure in a certain fraction range (15% ∼ 35%). The combustion heat release rate accelerates. The flame development angle shortens because the chemical reaction takes the dominant effects. Increasing the ignition advance angle can decrease the cyclic variation. The engine work stability is largely improved with the higher hydrogen fraction in the fuel blends. ► The cyclic variation of engine fueled biogas with 15% ∼ 35% H2 enrichment is studied. ► Increasing H2 will advance the combustion and increase the engine power. ► Increasing H2 will decrease the coefficient of the cyclic variation of IMEP. ► Increasing H2 will accelerate heat release and decrease flame development angle. ► Increase of ignition advance angle will decrease the cyclic variation of the IMEP.