EFFECT OF MOTORING VOLTAGE ON COMPRESSION RATIO OF A FREE-PISTON LINEAR GENERATOR ENGINE

Ezrann Z. Zainal A; Abdulwehab A. Ibrahim; A. Rashid A. Aziz; Saiful A. Zulkifli

doi:10.15282/jmes.8.2015.14.0136

Authors

Ezrann Z. Zainal A Centre for Automotive Research and Energy Management, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
Abdulwehab A. Ibrahim INTI International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
A. Rashid A. Aziz Centre for Automotive Research and Energy Management, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia
Saiful A. Zulkifli Centre for Automotive Research and Energy Management, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15282/jmes.8.2015.14.0136

Keywords:

Free-piston linear generator; Compression ratio, In-cylinder pressure; Motoring voltage

Abstract

The need for alternative power sources is crucial because of the increase in global energy demand and stringent emission regulations. The free-piston linear generator engine is one of the main alternatives thanks to its high efficiency, wide operating range and low emissions. However, low compression pressure which produces low power generation is an obstacle to its development. In order to increase compression pressure, further development of the motoring process is required. The study investigated the effect of motoring voltage in compression pressure and compression ratio. Motoring voltages varied from 36 V to 84 V. Higher motoring voltage increased piston speed up to 2 m/s which reduced the air leakage and thus produced a sharper p-V profile and higher compression pressure. An inverse relationship between the compression ratio and compression pressure during motoring was also observed.

References

Kweon JH, Jung JW, Kim TH, Choi JH, Kim DH. Failure of carbon composite-to-aluminum joints with combined mechanical fastening and adhesive bonding. Composite Structures. 2006;75:192-8.

EIA. Annual Energy Outlook. US Energy Information Administration; 2010.

IEA, EVI. Global EV Outlook. In: Trigg T, Telleen P, editors. Understanding the electric vehicle landscape to 2020. Paris, France: IEA and EVI, Clean Energy Ministerial; 2013. p. 41.

IEA. CO2 Emissions from fuel combustion. 2013 Edition. 2013.

Abdulwehab A. Ibrahim, Ezrann Zharif B. Zainal Abidin, Rashid A. Aziz, Zulkifli SA. Effect of injection timing on the operation of hydrogen-fuelled free-piston linear generator engine during starting. International Journal of Automotive Engineering. 2013;4:47-53.

Rahman MM, Ariffin AK. The role of nitriding on the fatigue life of a new free piston engine component: Finite element based investigation. Mechanical Engineering Research Journal. 2005;5:11-5.

Rahman MM, Ariffin AK, Jamaludin N, Haron CHC. Durability assessment of a new free piston spark ignition engine: A computational approach. Jurnal Teknologi (Sciences and Engineering). 2006;45:81-102.

Rahman MM, Ariffin AK, Rejab MRM, Kadirgama K, Noor MM. Multiaxial fatigue behavior of cylinder head for a free piston linear engine. Journal of Applied Sciences. 2009;9:2725-34.

Peter Van Blarigan, Nicholas Paradiso, Scott Goldsborough. Homogeneous charge compression ignition with a free piston: a new approach to ideal otto cycle performance. SAE Technical Paper No. 982484; 1998.

Fredriksson J, Denbratt I. Simulation of a two-stroke free piston engine. SAE Technical Paper No. ; 2004.

Goldsborough SS, Fitzgerald J. Design and operational characteristics of a novel floating-stroke, free piston internal combustion reciprocating engine. SAE Technical Paper 2003-01-0001. 2013.

Goertz M, Peng L. Free piston engine its application and optimization. SAE Technical Paper No. 2000-01-0996; 2000.

Zulkifli SA, Karsiti MN, A-Aziz AR. Investigation of linear generator starting modes by mechanical resonance and rectangular current commutation. IEEE International Conference on Electric Machines and Drives. 2009;425-33.

Zulkifli SAbM. Modeling, simulation and implementation of rectangular commutation for starting of free-piston linear generator.: Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia; 2007.

Hanipah MRB. Combustion process in a two-stroke, H2-DI linear generator free-piston engine during starting. Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia; 2008.

G. Flynn. Some principles and applications of the free-piston engine. General Motors Engineering Journals. 1958: 22-7.

Zulkifli SA, Karsiti MN, Aziz AA. Starting of a free-piston linear engine-generator by mechanical resonance and rectangular current commutation. Vehicle Power and Propulsion IEEE Conference. 2008;1-7.

Cawthorne WR. Optimization of a brushless permanent magnet linear alternator for use with a linear internal combustion engine. West Virginia University: West Virginia University; 1999.

K.D. Annen, D.B. Stickler, Woodroffe J. Miniature internal combustion engine (MICE) for portable electric power. Proceedings of the 23rd Army Science Conference, Florida. 2002.

Nandkumar S. Two-stroke linear engine. West Virginia University: West Virginia University; 1998.

Houdyschell D. A diesel two-stroke linear engine. Morgantown, West Virginia: West Virginia University; 2000.

Kim J, Bae C, Kim G. Simulation on the effect of the combustion parameters on the piston dynamics and engine performance using the Wiebe function in a free piston engine. Applied Energy. 2013;107:446-55.

Toth-Nagy C. Linear engine development for series hybrid electric vehicles. West Virginia University: West Virginia University; 2004.