Dan Cordon

Catalytic Igniter to Support Combustion of Ethanol-Water/Air Mixtures in Internal Combustion Engines

Lean ethanol-water/air mixtures have potential for reducing NOx and CO emissions in internal combustion engines. Igniting such mixtures is not possible with conventional ignition sources. An improved catalytic ignition source is being developed to aid in the combustion of aqueous ethanol. The operating principle is homogeneous charge compression ignition in a catalytic pre-chamber, followed by torch ignition of the main chamber. In this system, ignition timing can be adjusted by changing the length of the catalytic core element, the length of the pre-chamber, the diameter of the pre-chamber, and the electrical power supplied to the catalytic core element. A multi-zone energy balance model has been developed to understand ignition timing of ethanol-water mixtures. Model predictions agree with pressure versus crank angle data obtained from a 15 kW Yanmar diesel engine converted for catalytic operation on ethanolwater fuel. Comparing the converted Yanmar to the stock engine shows an increase in torque and power, with improvements in CO and NOx emissions. Hydrocarbon emissions increased significantly, but are largely due to piston geometry not well suited for homogeneous charge combustion. Future engine modifications have the potential to lower emissions to current emission standards, without requiring external emission control devices.

Shop orientation to enhance design for manufacturing in capstone projects

The traditional undergraduate engineering curriculum provides methods of analyzing and creating paper designs, but does much less in teaching design for manufacture and production. The Capstone experience at the University of Idaho uses a mentor-based design process that takes projects from the conceptual stage through creation of functional prototypes. Graduate student mentors in the Idaho Engineering Works (IEWorks) have created a three-session orientation that teaches fundamentals of machining associated with the construction of a small multi-tool. Student feedback recorded in their design journals underscores the benefits of this shop orientation in promoting machine design skills that result in high quality prototypes delivered to industry customers at the end of the course and in fostering a close relationship between mentors and students.

Homogeneous Charge Catalytic Ignition of Ethanol-Water/Air Mixtures in a Reciprocating Engine

Lean ethanol-water/air mixtures have potential for reducing NOx and CO emissions in internal combustion engines, with little well-to-wheels CO2 emissions. Conventional ignition systems have been unsuccessful at igniting such mixtures. An alternative catalytic ignition source is being developed to aid in the combustion of aqueous ethanol. The operating principle is homogeneous charge compression ignition inside a catalytic pre-chamber, which causes torch ignition and flame propagation in the combustion chamber. Ignition timing can be adjusted by changing the length of the catalytic core element, the length of the pre-chamber, the diameter of the pre-chamber, and the electrical power supplied to the catalytic core element. To study engine operation, a 1.0L 3-cylinder Yanmar diesel engine was converted for ethanol-water use, and compared with an unmodified engine. Comparing the converted Yanmar to the stock engine shows an increase in torque and power, with improvements in CO and NOx emissions. Hydrocarbon emissions from the converted engine increased significantly, but are largely due to piston geometry not well suited for homogeneous charge combustion. No exhaust after treatment was performed on either engine configuration. Applying this technology in an engine with a combustion chamber and piston design suited for homogeneous mixtures has the potential to lower emissions to current standards, with a simple reduction catalytic converter.

Introducing upper-level engineering students to the technical literature in a special topics course by writing review papers according to archival specifications

Many technical elective and graduate courses use a textbook as the sole source of information. While this is convenient and efficient for engineering fundamentals it prevents students from developing skill sets that enables young practitioners to interact with emerging research issues. A culminating paper assignment provides an excellent opportunity to strengthen both self-directed learning and technical communication skills. These paper overviews the scaffolding used to improve learning through the use of writing. Through the project, students gained confidence searching and interpreting the technical literature.

Design of a Low Cost, Partial Flow Dilution Tunnel With Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance Particulate Measurement

Accurate, repeatable measurement of tailpipe emissions is an important factor in the development of internal combustion engines and testing of alternative fuels. A dilution tunnel simulates the action of exhaust mixing with atmospheric gases and prevents condensation prior to gas and particulate measurements. In this work, a micro dilution tunnel was designed for the University of Idaho Small Engine Laboratory (SEL), and experiments were conducted to establish the controllability and accuracy of the tunnel. The tunnel design implements partial flow, Constant Volume Sampling (CVS) using an ejector diluter. Real-time measurement of CO2, CO, O2, NOx, hydrocarbons, and particulate emissions are collected using the combination of a NDIR/electrochemical 5-gas analyzer and a Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM). Data from these instruments and the flow conditioning equipment are collected and logged by a National Instruments data acquisition system. For the desired 11:1 dilution ratio, the system should be operated at 700°F suction temperature and 35 psia motive pressure. This results in an uncertainty of 3% at the 80% confidence level. A procedure has been developed for obtaining and verifying dilution ratios between 11:1 and 15:1. The characterization and use of an ejector diluter have made it possible to create an inexpensive dilution tunnel that will be useful in studying effects of freezing chemical reactions, and analyzing emissions of diesel and two-stroke engines that typically produce elevated levels of hydrocarbons and particulates beyond the saturation range of many emissions analyzers.Copyright

Homogeneous Charge Catalytic Ignition of Water-Ethanol Blends in a CFR Engine

The burning of water ethanol blends has the potential to reduce NOx, CO, and HC emissions while reducing the ethanol fermentation production cost of distillation and dehydration by utilization of these blends. The torch style ignition produced by the catalytic igniter allows for the operation and cold start of an SI engine on ethanol/water fuels up to a 50/50 blend. This paper describes the operating characteristics of a catalytic igniter in a modified Co-operative Fuels Research (CFR) engine. Performance data was evaluated using a high speed in-cylinder combustion pressure analyzer. Emission data for premixed ethanol/water was also compared to separate water and ethanol injection for concentrations of 0–30% water in ethanol. Emissions and performance results for both fuel preparation methods were compared with engine operation on 100% ethanol. Premixed ethanol/water displayed significantly lower NOx and CO emissions and somewhat higher hydrocarbon emissions than separate water and ethanol injection. At a compression ratio of 10:1, the catalytic igniter configuration studied in this work was able to control cycle to cycle pressure variation even at high water fractions.Copyright

Measuring and Comparing Accuracy of Emissions Analyzers for Use With IC Engines

Automotive emission analyzers vary in price from under

Catalytically Assisted Combustion of JP-8 in a 1 kW Low-Compression Genset

1000 to well over

Conversion of a Homogeneous Charge Air-Cooled Engine for Operation on Heavy Fuels

100,000. Different analyzers use various technologies to detect exhaust concentrations, and differ in how they condition the sample — leading to a difference in price and performance. Manufacturer claims on accuracy from less expensive analyzers are often similar to much more expensive analyzers. With a variety of analyzers available in the Small Engine Research Facility (SmERF) at the University of Idaho, this often leads to confusion in reporting accuracy of exhaust gas measurements. This study benchmarks the performance of three different analyzers: A portable 5-gas analyzer using NDIR and electrochemical cells which costs ∼

Highly Integrated Parallel Hybrid Powertrain

5000, a portable 7-gas analyzer using separate sensors for each gas which costs ∼