Low Engine Speed Torque Improvement In Natural Gas Engine Using Turbocharging : An Experimental Observations

Diesel engines have always been at the heart of automotive prime movers, mainly for the road based commercial vehicles since a long time. For about past twenty years, many cities have insisted on using natural gas powered vehicles with an aim of reducing air pollution. Thereafter, natural gas based engines have experienced rapid development and adoption of newer technologies, with an objective of reducing engine emissions and be able to meet target emission limits. With requirements for enhanced comfort features for e.g. air conditioner, pneumatic door and shock absorbers, other electric appliances, etc. in the commercial passenger vehicles such as school, staff and mass transport vehicles mass transit vehicles etc. and restrictions of maximum vehicle speed for safety purposes, such natural gas powered vehicle require higher traction at slow engine speeds. The objective of this paper is to evaluate and summarize various approaches, strategies, and technologies developed for enhancing the torque of engine. Most of these are applicable to full range of engine speed. Integrating them for improving torque at slow engine speeds is core objective here. Experimental result of a specimen CNG engine are presented here which shows an enhancement in the torque as well as engine power at slow engine speed region with turbocharged configurations.