Combustion process development intake manifold methanol injection for large engines

At WTZ Roßlau gGmbH, funded by the state of Saxony-Anhalt from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the combustion process for intake manifold methanol injection was investigated on a medium-speed large engine in dual-fuel operation. For a better understanding of the injection process and the evaporation in the intake manifold, 3D CFD simulations were performed. In this context, spray measurement was performed using a high-speed camera and a laser diffraction spectrometer. The subsequent test bench measurements were carried out on a single-cylinder research engine with an output of 225 kW. In addition to the parameters for methanol injection, the combustion air ratio, charge air temperature and compression ratio were also varied. Methanol is a promising future fuel for maritime applications, characterized in particular by the possibilities of liquid storage, low environmental hazard potential and good combustion properties. With careful tuning of the combustion process and the methanol injection parameters, stable combustion with diesel-typical efficiencies and advantages in nitrogen oxide emissions can be demonstrated. It should be emphasized that this combustion process is particularly suitable as a retrofit solution for existing internal combustion engines. Thus, the use of green methanol can also make an important contribution to the energy transition in shorter time horizons.