M. Mbarawa et al., An investigation of the effects of diesel pilot injection parameters on natural gas combustion under diesel conditions, J I ENERG, 74(500), 2001, pp. 81-90
The effects of the diesel pilot injection parameters on combustion of natur
al gas (NG) under diesel engine conditions were studied numerically using a
three-dimensional (3-D) model and experimentally in a constant-volume comb
ustion bomb (CVCB). The 3-D model, incorporating complex interaction betwee
n diesel and NG during combustion was used to predict the main combustion c
haracteristics (pressure, temperature and species concentrations). Numerica
lly, combustion pressure traces are validated satisfactorily by the corresp
onding experimental values. The 3-D simulations are then performed to inves
tigate the effects of diesel pilot injection parameters on NG combustion un
der diesel conditions. The investigated parameters are nozzle hole size and
injection pressure. Predicted results suggest that NG combustion under die
sel conditions can be improved by applying an injector with a great number
of small holes and also by increasing the injection pressure of pilot diese
l spray.