Effect of ammonia addition on combustion and emission characteristics of hydrogen-fueled engine under lean-burn condition

Hydrogen (H 2 ) is a carbon-free fuel with many excellent combustion characteristics, but abnormal combustion is one of the main obstacles to the promotion and application of hydrogen-fueled engines. This experimental study aims to investigate the suppression of the heat release rate (HRR) of a hydrogen-fueled engine through the addition of ammonia (NH 3 ). The engine was run at 1300 rpm, with manifold absolute pressure (MAP) of 61 kPa and NH 3 addition ratio of 0% and 2.2%, under lean-burn conditions. The results showed that the addition of small amounts of ammonia reduced the combustion rate of the fuel mixture, prolonged the flame development period (CA0-10) and propagation durations (CA10-90) of the engine, and reduced the peak in-cylinder pressure and peak HRR under lean-burn conditions. The addition of ammonia increased the peak indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) and the peak indicated thermal efficiency (ITE) of the engine. The addition of ammonia resulted in increased nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. • The effect of ignition timing of an H 2 /NH 3 dual-injection engine was studied. • Reduces the peak heat release rate after ammonia was added. • CA0-10 and CA10-90 were extended after ammonia was added. • The peak IMEP and ITE were increased after ammonia was added.