Abstract
The challenges posed by the depletion of fossil fuel deposits and the increase in polluting emissions, have led to efforts to produce clean energy sources as substitutes. However, the problem which necessitated the research was the lack of firm parametric measurements and models of the new fuel resulting from the amalgamation of oxyhydrogen and gasoline. This status quo made it difficult to determine the possible structure and reaction kinetics of the resultant fuel. The research seeks to obey Lord Kelvinβs guiding principle of scientific understanding, which requires the quantification of the parameters talked about in scientific arena. After many experimental outcomes had produced what appeared to be improvement of thermal efficiency improvement in gasoline on addition of HHO, there was no corresponding verified model scientifically produced which could be used in engine design.
What the study is seeking to achieve, is to produce a proper mathematical model and to identify and quantify the parameters that govern the kinetics of combustion and the key performance indicators of the resultant HHO/gasoline mixture. The study used Ottoβs internal combustion engine constant-volume cycle model to fit the proposal. The thermal efficiency of the model is given by the relationship τπππ‘π‘β=1β 1rπ£π£πΎπΎβ1τ
, where gamma is the ratio of specific heats of the resultant gasoline/HHO mixture that controls its combustion and compression ratio.
The aim of the researcher is to align empirical evidence with theoretical postulations to migrate internal combustion engines (ICE) to pure hydrogen-based clean engines. The researcher aimed to use characteristic values and appropriate calculations to program the construction of the gases, which would help in the design of more efficient but smaller engines and the design of new efficient fuels. Thus, Characterisation, modelling and validation of the efficiency of oxyhydrogen gas (HHO) in gasoline engine.
iv
The methodology employed to achieve the aim, was to compare practically obtained performance data of a spark ignition engine using pure petrol and that of oxyhydrogen gas catalyzed gasoline. The engine performance was measured using specified power, specified fuel consumption, specified thermal efficacy, and brake thermal effectiveness. The results showed that the performance of the engine improved on adding oxyhydrogen gas. The study conducted a complex liquid stream analysis within a single piston chamber belonging to a four-stroke trigger detonation machine using ANSYS/Fluent v20.0/ICE CYPHER, applying a dynamical mesh procedure to analyze and approximate the features of the stream within the ordinary working of petrol in regard to the rotation position. The study employed an engine model focusing on combustion simulation to solve the complex governing equations. The parameters of temperature kinetic energy in turbulence, turbulence concentration, and turbulence burning velocities were assessed and evaluated, eventually leading to quantification of mass burning flow rates.
Test Rig related results came from the comparison of empirical data to theoretical equations obtained from thermal efficiency calculations of the two fuels, pure petrol and HHO laced petrol. The value of gamma, from the mathematical model, which is the ratio of specific heat capacities of HHO laced gas mixtures, obtained as 1.657. This became the new characteristic parameter of the resultant fuel. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) produced results which showed that oxyhydrogen would increase gasoline burning speed by 350%. The addition of HHO to gasoline raised the combustion ability of gasoline. The burning rate of hydrogen in HHO was deduced to be 26.62 kg/s and that of gasoline was 0.076 kg/s. It was observed that adding HHO to gasoline in internal combustion engines (ICE) improves energy efficiency, hence the need to embrace this technology to wean ourselves from fossil fuel and its related hazards. Thus, characterization,
v
modelling and validation of the efficiency of oxyhydrogen gas (HHO) in gasoline engine was fully accomplished.
This study is significant in that it aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) number 7, 9, 11 and 13 focusing specifically on affordable clean energy, industrial innovation information, sustainable cities and climate change mitigation, respectively. The empirical evidence has been aligned to theoretical postulations to migrate the IC engines to pure hydrogen based clean engines using deduced gas parameters to predetermine new fuel properties, hence helping in the design of better performing and smaller engines for the future.
Keywords: Characterization, Efficiency, Engine, Fuel, HHO.