Search Results

This paper describes an experimental study of the effects of ignition spark characteristics on combustion behaviour in a light duty automotive engine. A prototype programmable energy ignition system was used to investigate the influence of both spark energy and the current/time profile used to deliver a given amount of energy. The engine was tested under part load conditions using a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio and relatively high levels of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). In addition to tests with port-injected gasoline, tests were also carried out using propane (premixed upstream of the throttle) in order to investigate the possibility that improvements in the homogeneity of the mixture might influence the impact of varying the spark characteristics.