The Impact of Laser Ignition on the Combustion Process in Gas Engines

Authors

Dr. G. Herdin, DI. J. Klausner, GE Jenbacher, Jenbach, Austria

Year

2005

Summary

The demands made on the ignition systems of gas engines increase hand in hand with the development of the combustion process. Especially with presently possible high BMEPs of more than 2.2 MPa, conventional ignition concepts are approaching the limits of achievability as a result of the increasing high voltage requirement. A further challenge for the ignition/combustion concept is the reduction of NOx emissions, and here special attention must be paid to the requirements of the long service life of stationary engines. Laser ignition shows here the sought-after potentials by means of the shifting of the lean limit of all investigated fuels by about 0.3 Lambda units. Furthermore, laser ignition is characterized by a better compatibility of higher exhaust gas recirculation rates of more than 40 %. In the case of the “ultra lean” and “high AGR” combustion concepts, however, measures must be taken to accelerate combustion in order to maintain spark durations ensuring optimal efficiency. Finally, with regard to the realization of HCCI concepts, laser ignition shows potentials that have already been demonstrated in research activities carried out in cooperation with Lund University.

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