The Effects of High-Pressure Injection on a Compression–Ignition, Direct Injection of Natural Gas Engine

This study investigated the effects of injection pressure on the performance and emissions of a pilot-ignited, late-cycle direct-injected natural gas fueled heavy-duty engine. The experiments, conducted on a single-cylinder engine, covered a wide range of engine speeds, loads, and exhaust gas recirculation fractions. The injection pressure was varied at each operating condition while all other parameters were held constant. At high loads, increasing the injection pressure substantially reduced particulate matter and CO emissions, with small increases in NOx and no significant effect on hydrocarbon emissions or fuel consumption. At low loads, injection pressure had no significant impact on either emissions or performance. At high loads, higher injection pressures consistently reduced both the number density and the size of particles in the exhaust stream. Injection pressure had reduced effects at increased engine speeds.