Performance charateristics of a conventional spark ignition petrol engine powered by biogas

Abstract

This research investigates the use of biogas to run a spark ignition petrol engine and test for the engine performance. Conventional spark ignition petrol engine was modified into a dual fuel engine by changing the engine single fuel carburettor to dual fuel carburettor. The air orifice was closed by 50% to enable cooled start with natural biogas as the low calorific value won't facilitate combustion. The speed, torque, and other engine parameters where measured using a TD200 small engine test set (hydraulic brake dynamometer) interface and emissions of SO₂, CO were measured using an emissions analyser. The torque, brake power was higher for petrol by 39% than the biogas due to the lower calorific value of biogas. The exhaust temperature, SO₂ and CO was 49% lower for the biogas than the petrol. The comparative analysis of the modified engine showed that petrol can be substituted partly with biogas and the engine used for varying applications because it offers window escape on the hydrocarbon reservoir depletion, green gasses emission from the use of these petrol and landfill emission as well.