Abstract
Dual spark plugs are occasionally employed on certain modern Spark lg- nited (S') engines, viz lean burn engines. Their benefit has generally been noticed in the operating conditions whenfuel-air mixture is very lean, or when a larger proportion of EGR has been employed, or during the part load conditions and so on. An extensive literature survey has indi- cared an interesting spectrum of reasons for gains due to the dual spark plug. A consistent explanation is found to be missing which can describe the behaviour of the engines with single versus dual spark plugs There are quite "few researchers who merely stage that a dual plug engine gives better results than a single plug engine without giving the exact cause of the same. Some investigators have argued that due to the shorter flame travel distance with dual plugs the combustion is faster, whilst some, at- tribute the gains due to change in the flame shapes or speeds. The present author suggests that is not the case because no significant gains have been noticed due to dual plug system for full throttle conditions. A hypothesis is therefore proposed by the author that the dual plug engine will perform better than the single plug engine only when the engine is operating at conditions unfavourable to ignition. This is attributed to the increased probability of ignition and conibustion stability with dual plugs when com- pared tr; comparable engine with single plug system during such condi- lions. It is believed Ihat the hypothesis, if validaled, will lhe basis the explanations to the behaviour "Icertain dual plug engines and there- .före assisr in arriving a consistent and acceptable description of the behaviour of the engine with dual versus single spark plugs.
Recommended Citation
Mshoro, I. (1994). Dual versus Single spark Plug: A critique. Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET), 18(1), 60-85. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.52339/tjet.v18i1.163
Publisher Name
University of Dar es Salaam