An increasingly pertinent aspect is the reliable starting capability of future gas engines, which will allow for flexible operation and adaptation to fluctuating demand. In addition, these engines should be capable of low-emission lean combustion even with fluctuating gas compositions. However, this goal conflicts with the increasingly strict emission regulations of the 44th BImSchV (Federal Immission Control Ordinance). 

The ITV is therefore investigating the ignition characteristics and burn-through in the combustion chamber of different lean gases, such as those produced in various production processes, e.g. as landfill gas, sewage gas, mine gas and biogas.The flow conditions and flame propagation are analysed on an optically accessible single-cylinder engine using high-speed camera images from the combustion chamber. This allows the comparison of different ignition methods and geometries. Together with the findings from the thermodynamic single-cylinder engine, on which stationary tests are carried out in a thermally steady state, 1D and 3D simulations can be validated.