ENGINE KNOCK RATING OF NATURAL GASES - METHANE NUMBER

A procedure has been developed and documented for determining the meth ane number of gaseous fuels. The methane number provides an indication of the knock tendency of the fuel. An experimental test matrix was de signed for quantifying the effects of ethane, propane, butane, and CO2 . A unique gas mixing and control system was developed to supply test gases to the engine and to control the equivalence ratio and engine op eration. The results of the experiments agreed well with the limited d ata published in the literature. Predictive equations were developed f or the methane number (MN) of gaseous fuels using the gas composition. The forms of these equations are suitable for incorporation in a comp uter program or a spread-sheet.