The CTS Lean Burn Ignition System has application in a wide range of combustion applications using virtually any fuel. There are a multitude of fuels available these days, including alternative fuels, which at times prove to be very difficult to ignite, especially at low temperatures or high altitudes. The CTS Lean Burn Ignition System has successfully ignited gasoline, methanol, ethanol, natural gas, nitro methane, propane, and even diesel fuel in a low compression spark ignited application. The cold start capability was tested at -40 degrees F. To date, none of the fuels required any fuel enrichment on startup at any temperature.
Industrial natural gas fueled engines, using CTS Lean Burn Systems, have shown dramatic NOx reduction and substantial fuel savings while improving engine stability at all loads and RPM's. All fuels have experienced similar results. Turbines and rotary engines are part of the successful applications portfolio.
Lean Burn Technology
Long Duration Plasma Ignition
Plasma is ionized gas. There are many ways to create an ionized gas. The CTS Lean Burn Ignition System provides a continuous high voltage plasma discharge between the two electrodes of a conventional style spark plug located in the main cylinder. The duration of the discharge can be adjusted to meet the operational requirements of an engine. The long duration spark allows the movement of the air-fuel mixture to bring a fuel particle into range of the sparkplug for ignition. Other physical and chemical characteristics of the plasma prepare the air and the fuel for ignition. This process provides a smoother combustion cycle with no misfires or detonation events, thus reducing engine maintenance.
Test results on automotive engines have resulted in horsepower increases without any other modification. The plasma ignition was also found to have the ability to ignite very lean and ultra lean mixtures with excellent combustion stability, fully loaded, lightly loaded and at idle. The results led to the development of lean burn systems for stationary natural gas engines reducing NOx [Nitrogen Oxide] emissions below regulated levels.