Active fuel design—A way to manage the right fuel for HCCI engines

Abstract

Homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines feature high thermal efficiency and ultralow emissions compared to gasoline engines. However, unlike SI engines, HCCI combustion does not have a direct way to trigger the in-cylinder combustion. Therefore, gasoline HCCI combustion is facing challenges in the control of ignition and, combustion, and operational range extension. In this paper, an active fuel design concept was proposed to explore a potential pathway to optimize the HCCI engine combustion and broaden its operational range. The active fuel design concept was realized by real time control of dual-fuel (gasoline and n-heptane) port injection, with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate and intake temperature adjusted. It was found that the cylinderto- cylinder variation in HCCI combustion could be effectively reduced by the optimization in fuel injection proportion, and that the rapid transition process from SI to HCCI could be realized. The active fuel design technology could significantly increase the adaptability of HCCI combustion to increased EGR rate and reduced intake temperature. Active fuel design was shown to broaden the operational HCCI load to 9.3 bar indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP). HCCI operation was used by up to 70% of the SI mode load while reducing fuel consumption and nitrogen oxides emissions. Therefore, the active fuel design technology could manage the right fuel for clean engine combustion, and provide a potential pathway for engine fuel diversification and future engine concept.