Abstract
A synthetic gas reformed from hydrocarbon-based fuels consists of $H_2$, CO and $N_2$. Hydrogen contained in the synthetic gas is a very useful species in chemical processes, due to its wide flammability range and fast burning speed. The ESGI (Exhaust Synthetic Gas Injection) technology is developed to shorten the light-off time of three way catalysts through combustion of the synthetic gas in the exhaust manifold during the cold start period of SI engines. Before the ESGI technology is applied to the test engine, the authors set a test rig that consists of gas temperature and composition controllers, an exhaust pulse generator and an exhaust manifold with a visualization window, in order to optimize the point and conditions of injection of the synthetic gas. Through measuring burned gas temperatures and taking photographs of synthetic gas combustion at the outlet of the exhaust manifold, the authors tried to find the optimal injection point and conditions. Analysis of burned gas composition has been performed for various $O_2$ concentrations. As a result, when the synthetic gas is injected at the port outlet of the cylinder No. 4 and $O_2$ concentration exceeds 4%, combustion of the synthetic gas is strong and effective in the exhaust manifold.