Meeting the Challenge of Low Emissions and Fuel Economy with the Ricardo Four-Valve High-Speed Direct Injection Engine

Abstract

In order to investigate and demonstrate the potential of the high-speed direct injection (HSDI) diesel engine, Ricardo have undertaken a programme of research and analysis into the performance and emissions of a four-valve/cylinder combustion system. Analytical studies were based on a computational fluid dynamics investigation to model in-bowl events of fuel spray/air interactions and to improve understanding of the mixing processes. The major variables studied during the test programme included swirl ratio, combustion bowl geometry, nozzle configuration, contemporary and advanced electronic rotary fuel injection pumps and the effects of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). A systematic optimization programme provided a fixed swirl configuration capable of achieving in excess of 15 bar b.m.e.p. (brake mean effective pressure) while providing less than 1.0 Bosch smoke unit. R49 EURO II NOx levels were met with competitive smoke, particulate emissions and fuel economy, demonstrating excellent potential for full EURO II compliance with further development. Vehicle emissions and fuel consumption simulations have shown that the combustion system has the potential to meet both the heavy and light duty emissions legislation planned for the 1990s.