Experimental studies on the influence of axial and radial fields of sintered neo-delta magnets in reforming the energy utilization combustion and emission properties of a hydrocarbon fuel

ABSTRACT

Permanent magnets based on rare earth components have been increasingly finding their applications in modern technologies. Although the magnetic properties tend to deteriorate rapidly at temperatures in excess of 150ºC, sintered NdFeB magnets can be employed in reforming the physical and combustion properties of hydrocarbon fuels. In the present investigation, two different magnetization patterns of high-grade NdFeB magnets are applied in varying intensities on a multicylinder MPFI engine fueled by gasoline and the alteration in combustion and emission properties of the fuel are studied. The magnetic field restructures the hydrocarbon molecules and causes the pseudo clusters to break away thus reducing the inherent viscosity and enhancing the association of hydrocarbon molecules with the oxidizer. The effectiveness of two different magnetization patterns of sintered NdFeB magnetic material in reforming the combustion characteristics is studied and compared. The study shows a maximum increase of 9.2% in power output and 7.74% in thermal efficiency of the test engine along with a significant reduction in the generation of toxic emissions that are the byproducts of combustion. The study also concludes that radial magnetic fields are more effective in conditioning the fuel and reducing the emission of CO, HC, and NO_x by 8.57%, 5.52%, and 1.25% compared to the same intensity fields under axial magnetization. The combustion behavior of gasoline is studied under both field patterns. The statistical analysis of mean effective pressures through radar plots is conclusive of the reduction in cycle by cycle variations under magnetic field-assisted combustion.

Abbreviations

NdFeB:Neodymium Iron Boron permanent magnet; SmCo:Samarium Cobalt permanent magnet; MPFI:Multipoint Port Fuel injection; BP:Brake Power; BTE:Brake Thermal Efficiency; BSFC:Brake Specific Fuel Consumption; NHRR:Net Heat Release Rate; IMEP:Indicated Mean Effective Pressure; COV:Coefficient of Variation; CO:Carbon Monoxide; CO₂:Carbon dioxide; HC: hydrocarbon; NO_xOxides of Nitrogen.

KEYWORDS:

• Combustion
• hydrocarbons
• magnetic field
• magnetization pattern
• SI engine
• emissions

Acknowledgments

This research work is conducted in the I.C. Engine research laboratory and Combustion laboratory at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal and is funded by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Libin P Oommen

Libin P Oommen obtained his graduation in Mechanical Engineering (2010) and post graduation in IC Engines and Turbo-machinery (2012) from Government Engineering College, Thrissur, Kerala. He is currently pursuing PhD in National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal. His area of interests are magnetic field assisted combustion, combustion diagnostics, pollution control from automotive engines and heat transfer.

Kumar G. N.

Kumar G. N. is an Associate Professor in National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, India. He is having 17 years of professional experience and published more than 30 research papers in reputed International journals. Kumar G N, received his B.E degree in Automobile engineering in 1996 and earned his M.Tech from KREC, Surathkal in 1999 and Ph.D. degree from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India in 2011. His major interests are Alternative fuels for IC engines, Simulation of IC engines, Heat Transfer.