Analyzing characteristics of knock in a hydrogen-fueled Wankel rotary engine

Hydrogen-fueled Wankel rotary engine (HWRE) as a promising power device overcomes some of the drawbacks of the hydrogen-fueled reciprocating engine. However, its elongated combustion chamber makes it prone to knock, and little research has been done in this area. Hence, to understand the knock characteristics of HWRE, the present work focus on parameters of HWRE knock at 2000r/min, an excess air ratio of 1.2 and an ignition timing of -7 degrees CA ATDC. The main results are as follows: As with knock intensity, knock duration and maximum pressure rising rate also can characterize the knock of HWRE because of the logarithmic or linear relationship among three parameters. For the knock intensity, two parameters are needed to precisely characterize the HWRE knock, while only one parameter is needed for the knock duration and the maximum pressure rising rate. Considering the computing cost, the maximum pressure rising rate is better than others. The knock intensity has a significant influence on the timed sequence of peak knock pressure and peak in-cylinder pressure. Besides, the mechanism of backfire caused by the knock of HWRE is different from that of the hydrogen-fueled reciprocating piston engine, which results from the inter-cylinder flame leakage. (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigates the knock characteristics of a hydrogen-fueled Wankel rotary engine (HWRE) and reveals important findings. The study finds that knock intensity, knock duration, and maximum pressure rising rate can be used to characterize the knock of the HWRE. Among these parameters, the maximum pressure rising rate is more advantageous in terms of computational cost and performance. Moreover, knock intensity has a significant impact on the timed sequence of peak knock pressure and peak in-cylinder pressure, and the mechanism of backfire caused by the knock of the HWRE is different from that of hydrogen-fueled reciprocating piston engines.