Lean-burn CNG engine with ignition chamber: from the idea to a running engine

Current and further developing CO₂ and emission regulations worldwide and the competition to full electric mobility deliver a challenge for internal combustion engines in general. A state of the art solution is the use of natural gas mainly contending methane to reduce CO₂ significantly and to offer lowest emission levels. The EU-funded project GasOn developed engine concepts to fully exploit the advantages of CNG. This article describes the development of an innovative, monovalent engine dedicated to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and characterised by the lean burn concept and the innovative pre-chamber combustion.