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Crevices in the combustion chamber are the main source of hydrocarbon (HC) emissions from spark ignition (SI) engines fuelled by natural gas (NG). Instantaneous in-cylinder and engine exhaust port HC concentrations were measured simultaneously using a Cambustion HFR400 fast response flame ionization detector (FRFID) concentrated on the post-flame period. The raw data was reconstructed to account for variation in the FFRID sample transit time and time constant due to fluctuating in-cylinder pressure. HC concentration development during the post-flame period is discussed. Comparison is made of the post-flame in-cylinder and exhaust port HC concentrations under different engine operating conditions, which gives a better understanding of the mechanism by which HC emissions form from crevices in SI engines.

The Cambustion fast-response flame ionization detector (FFID) has been successfully used for instantaneous exhaust port hydrocarbon (HC) concentration measurement in IC engines for a decade. Measurements of in-cylinder HC concentration have also been made, but these present greater challenge. As the sample transit time and the time constant of the system always change when the sampling pressure is changed, it is necessary to investigate the characteristics of the system before it was used for in-cylinder sampling. A unique method was designed to study the influence of the diameter and length of the transfer sample line and the operating parameters of the FFID on the transit time and time constant. A database of transit time and time constant was built up for different simulated in-cylinder pressures. The database can be used for correcting eventual in-cylinder HC concentration measurement.