Investigation of pre-ignition in a hydrogen-fueled large engine

Large engines have the potential to play a key role in sustainable energy systems if they are operated with renewable fuels. In particular engine operation with hydrogen, however, is currently limited with regard to maximum achievable power density due to the occurrence of pre-ignition phenomena. In this study, a combination of experimental investigations on an optically instrumented single-cylinder research engine and 3D CFD simulations was used to determine exactly when and where pre-ignitions occur in the combustion chamber and what mechanisms might underlie their formation.

Figure 1: On the left , you can see the instrumentation of the combustion chamber with two fibre-optic sensors (S1 and S2), and the corresponding coloured cone fields of view (turquoise, green and yellow). On the right is an illustrative representation of the determined origins of pre-ignition events to occur either early (top) or late (bottom) in the cycle.

Figure 2: Cylinder and intake manifold pressure traces and heat release rate curves of characteristic regular and irregular combustion cycles.

Key Highlights:

Investigations of single-cylinder engines using advanced fibre-optic instrumentation.
Detailed examination of pre-ignition events with regard to time and location of flame kernel formation.
Identification of possible root causes using the measurement results and 3D CFD simulation.

Why it matters:

A fundamental understanding of pre-ignition phenomena is essential for developing measures that can eliminate them. This would enable hydrogen engines to operate robustly at the highest power density with low emissions in the future. This publication has systematically addressed an important knowledge gap to help achieve this goal.

About the publication:

👉 Click here to read the full paper in the prestigious International Journal of Engine Research: https://doi.org/10.1177/14680874251407722

Congratulations to the author team:

Nicole Wermuth, Constantin Kiesling, Martin Pichler, Gernot Kammel, Marcel Lackner, Andreas Wimmer

Thanks to our supporters and sponsors:

We would like to extend our special thanks to Dr Harald Philipp of AVL List GmbH for his valuable support with the measurement system used in the SCE investigations, as well as for his subsequent detailed analysis of the results.

This publication was carried out within the framework of the COMET-K1 Center LEC GETS, funded by the “Centers of Competence for Excellent Technologies” programme, which is financed by the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility, and Infrastructure (BMIMI), the Federal Ministry for Economy, Energy, and Tourism (BMWET), the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), and the federal provinces of Salzburg, Styria, and Tyrol.

The open-access publication was supported by the Publication Fund of Graz University of Technology.

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