Preliminary Investigation of Propane Spray Structure in an Optically Accessible Direct-Injection, Spark-Ignition Engine

Abstract

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has attained a significant position in various markets throughout the world, as it has numerous benefits as an automotive fuel in spark-ignition (SI) engines. Fuelling a direct injection (DI) engine with LPG, rather than conventional, liquid fuels, has the potential to improve fuel efficiency and emissions output. However, there is little information pertaining to the operation of LPG in such vehicles. Therefore, this study aims to begin to characterise DI propane sprays, acting as a surrogate for LPG, in a DISI engine at injection timings corresponding to both an early, homogeneous strategy and a late, stratified strategy. Fuel spray structures are imaged using..