Abstract

Recently, the natural gas engine has received significant attention because of the development of unconventional natural gas sources. To realize high thermal efficiencies in an engine, it is necessary to achieve lean burn with supercharging. Conventional spark-plug ignition has difficulties operating in both high pressures and lean air/fuel mixtures. The results of the studies conducted at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan on laser spark ignition as an alternative ignition method for attaining a stable ignition in these conditions are discussed here. Further, the extension of the lean limit and improvements in thermal efficiency are demonstrated. The possibilities of a more advanced laser ignition technology are also discussed.

© 2015 Optical Society of America