Effect of Gasoline Fuel Additives on Combustion and Engine Performance

Figure 3.13: Schematics of experimental facility for combustion analysis 

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3.2 Combustion Experiments 
89 
Gas pressure was monitored through three pressure transducers: 
a)
Druck PMP1400 0-100 bar, 0-5 V – bomb pressure 
b)
Kistler 701A piezoelectric PT, 0-250 bar pressure range, 84 pC/bar 
sensitivity, coupled with Kistler 5015A charge amplifier – dynamic 
bomb pressure 
c)
Omega PXM319 0-2 bar, 0-10 V – gas mixer pressure 
Temperature was monitored in two locations within the vessel and in one 
location inside the vessel walls. This data was only useful when the air process heater 
is used. Pre-combustion events occur in timescales shorter than the thermocouple 
response time and the rig wall temperature is unaffected by high combustion 
temperatures due to low thermal inertia. Additionally, fuel temperature within the 
injector could be monitored. Injector mount was surrounded by a water cooling jacket 
enabling high temperature air flow into the vessel without raising fuel temperature to 
very high temperatures. 
3.2.2
 
Engine Facility 
In addition to the combustion vessel, part of the combustion experiments was 
carried out in a Ricardo E6 research engine, shown in Figure 3.14. It is a single 
cylinder, variable compression ratio engine with a 3 inch bore and 4 3/8 inch stroke
Figure 3.14: Ricardo E6 research engine 

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3.3 Summary 
90 
that can be run in compression and spark ignition modes [222]. The engine employs a 
similar ignition set up to the combustion vessel but spark discharge is performed 
through a spark plug. Fuel injection can be carried out using PFI or carburettor fuel 
delivery systems. Cylinder pressure data is logged for heat release analysis and 
emissions are analysed using the Horiba gas analyser and Cambustion DMS500 
particulate spectrometer. For more information on the device, the reader is directed to 
Ref. [223].