Abstract
In order to develop engine generators for waste gasification and power generation systems, combustion characteristics of low-BTU gas (about 1000kcal/Nm3) were experimentally investigated Two kinds of simulated low-BTU gas obtained from one-step high temperature gasification (hydrogen rich) and two-step pyrolysis/reforming gasification (methane rich) as well as natural gas were tested in a small-scale spark ignition engine. Compared with natural gas driven, the hydrogen rich low-BTU gas driven engine showed similar thermal efficiency while significantly lower NOx and hydrocarbon emissions and wider equivalence ratio range for stable engine operation. On the other hand, the methane rich low-BTU gas showed narrower equivalence ratio range for stable engine operation. From these results, it was shown that engine performance depends on combustion speed rather than heating value of the fuel gas. From the point of better engine performance, hydrogen rich fuel gas is desirable.
