Effect of acetylene fuelling on performance, emission and combustion characteristics of stationary spark-ignition engine

The continuous depletion of conventional fuels requires urgent research work to identify feasible alternative fuels to meet the minimum environmental impact of sustainable energy demand. Due to good combustion characteristics, acetylene being one of such alternative fuel and has the potential to be a future fuel. In this concern, it was decided to perform experimentation on a stationary water-cooled spark ignition (S.I.) engine in acetylene-gasolinedual fuel mode. In this experimental investigation, the effects of acetylene and gasoline mixtures on the performance, emissions, and combustion characteristics have been observed. Acetylene was supplied through a modified engine intake manifold at optimized conditions for petrol. The optimum flow rate of acetylene was found by comparing the performance and emissions for 50, 100, and 150 LPH, respectively, at 1600 revolution per minute (rpm). The experimental results showed that the brake thermal efficiency at 100 LPH was the highest amongst all the flow rates under study, throughout the load range in acetylene-gasoline dual fuel mode. HC, CO, and CO2 emissions for this acetylene flow rate were either low or comparable to that of pure gasoline. Based on this study, it can be concluded that use of acetylene in S.I. engine without any major modifications is feasible without having any adverse effect on the engine performance, combustion, and emissions.