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LPG In Spark-Ignition Engines
Advantages and Disadvantages of using LPG in S.I. Engine
engineeringinsider
Today there are many alternative fuels to run our vehicles
that were running only on conventional fuels like diesel or petrol.
One of the alternatives is liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
It’s the same fuel that is used in our kitchens to cook
food.
The use of LPG in the automobile sector is increasing
because of many reasons.
However, there are numerous benefits of using LPG as fuel
in SI Engines, but at the same time, there are bad consequences too.
In this article, you will get to know the advantages and
the disadvantages of using LPG in the SI engine.
Advantages and Disadvantages of using
LPG in S.I. Engine
Advantages Of Using LPG:
1. By shifting to LPG as an
automobile fuel, there can be a considerate decrease in the environmental
pollution as the carbon-dioxide which our vehicles release is reduced.
2. LPG in the SI engine makes less
noise as compared to the diesel engine. Secondly, as LPG evaporates quickly, in
case of spillage fewer particulates are produced.
3. It reduces the dependency on
petrol and diesel for driving automobiles.
4. It is cheaper than petrol and
diesel. Also, it gives more mileage which can save up to 40 % of the fuel costs
compared to petrol and 20% compared to diesel.
5. Due to a higher octane rating of
LPG, the combustion is smoother and knocking is eliminated.
6. In the event when LPG leaks past
the piston rings into the crankcase, it does not wash away oil from the walls
of the cylinder which doesn’t produce black carbon. Therefore, there is no
washing off of the lubrication layer, increasing the engine life by up to 50%.
7. The life of electrode is increased
because during LPG as a fuel there is no deposition of carbon on the
electrodes.
Disadvantages:
1. LPG has a high heat of
vaporization; therefore, the volumetric efficiency is reduced.
2. It is handled under a pressure of
about 18 bars.
3. Complete combustion of fuel takes
place, therefore more heat is produced and it is not good for the engine over a
long run.
4. As its odor is faint, it cannot be
easily detected in case of any leakage.
5. The manufacturer warranty of the
engine can be affected by LPG usage.
6. To get it installed in your
vehicle, you will need a trained LPG conversion specialist.
Apart from these disadvantages, there are some other
points that can be considered as disadvantages when it comes to using LPG as a
fuel in your car and these must be taken care of before using
LPG in the engine.
The installation of LPG kit is not easy and it comes at a
handsome price which can poke a hole in your pocket. However, in the long run,
using LPG comes out to be cheaper as compared to other fuels like petrol and
diesel.
A spark-ignition engine (SI engine) is
an internal
combustion engine,
generally a petrol engine, where the combustion process
of the air-fuel mixture is ignited by a spark from a spark plug. This is in contrast to compression-ignition
engines,
typically diesel engines, where the heat generated
from compression together with the
injection of fuel is enough to initiate the combustion process, without needing
any external spark.
The bar is a unit of pressure defined as
100 kilopascals.
It is about equal to the atmospheric pressure on Earth at sea level.
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