Model development for performance analysis of a spark ignition engine fueled with propane and octane

The main objective of this study was to develop a model for performance analysis of a spark ignition engine fueled with propane and octane. GT-Suite software was used to develop the model for a single cylinder 4-stroke gasoline engine having a bore of 85 mm and a stroke of 85 mm with a capacity of 0.48 litres. A one-dimensional gas dynamics was considered for heat transfer model development for different engine components. Different sub models including flow in the intake and exhaust system, port fuel injection, throttle, combustion, heat and energy transfer were combined to produce different engine performance parameters. The model was run for 12 different rotational speeds ranging from 500 rpm to 6000 rpm at a wide open throttle position. The influence of compression ratio of 8 to 10 for the port fuel injection on different engine performance parameters was also investigated in this study. It was found that propane has a considerable potential to be an alternative fuel for a gasoline engine.