International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 46 (2021) 17572-17586

Comparative performance of coke oven gas, hydrogen and methane in a spark ignition engine

Abstract

In this study, coke oven gas (COG), a by-product of coke manufacture with a high volumetric percentage of H₂ and CH₄, has been identified as auxiliary support and promising energy source in stationary internal combustion engines. Engine performance (power and thermal efficiency) and emissions (NO_x, CO, CO₂ and unburned hydrocarbons) of COG, pure H₂ and pure CH₄ have been studied on a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 L port-fuel injection spark ignition engine. Experiments have been done at optimal spark advance and wide open throttle, at different speeds (2000-5000 rpm) and various air-fuel ratios (λ) between 1 and 2. The obtained data revealed that COG combines the advantages of pure H₂ and pure CH₄, widening the λ range of operation from 1 to 2, with very good performance and emissions results comparable to pure gases. Furthermore, it should be highlighted that this approach facilitates the recovery of an industrial waste gas.