Abstract
In high altitude regions, affected by the low-pressure and low-temperature atmosphere, diesel knock is likely to be encountered in heavy-duty engines operating at low-speed and high-load conditions. Pressure oscillations during diesel knock are commonly captured by pressure transducers, while there is a lack of direct evidence and visualization images, such that its fundamental formation mechanism is still unclear. In this study, optical experiments on diesel knock with destructive pressure oscillations were investigated in an optical rapid compression machine. High-speed direct photography and simultaneous pressure acquisition were synchronically performed, and different injection pressures and ambient pressures were considered. The results show that for the given ambient temperature and pressure, diesel knock becomes prevalent at higher injection pressures where fuel spray impingement becomes enhanced. Higher ambient pressure can reduce the tendency to diesel knock under critical conditions. For the given injection pressure satisfying knocking combustion, knock intensity is decreased as ambient pressure is increased. Further analysis of visualization images shows diesel knock is closely associated with the prolonged ignition delay time due to diesel spray impingement. High-frequency pressure oscillation is caused by the propagation of supersonic reaction-front originating from the second-stage autoignition of mixture. In addition, the oscillation frequencies are obtained through the fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis.
Highlights
According to mega data statistics, more than six million automobiles are operated in high altitude regions around the world [1]
When diesel knock occurs at high altitude regions, the amplitude of pressure oscillation can reach several dozens of atmosphere, which results in cylinder head erosion and piston crown breakdown [4]
Du et al [19] experimentally investigated the effects of fuel injection pressure (FIP) on combustion characteristics under spray impingement conditions in a constant-volume combustion chamber, and the results showed that impinging spray prolonged ignition delay time at high injection pressures
Summary
According to mega data statistics, more than six million automobiles are operated in high altitude regions around the world [1]. The atmospheric temperatures and pressures are relatively low at high altitude regions. With the increase of altitude, ignition delay time is longer and burning rates become slower, resulting in an enhanced pressure rise rate in the premixed combustion stage [2,3]. Severe diesel knock with destructive pressure oscillation is likely to occur in heavy-duty diesel engines under low-speed and high-load conditions. When diesel knock occurs at high altitude regions, the amplitude of pressure oscillation can reach several dozens of atmosphere, which results in cylinder head erosion and piston crown breakdown [4]. The detailed mechanism for such an abnormal combustion still remains unclear
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