Intake Stroke Research Articles

Investigation of low carbon emission and high thermal efficiency of diesel engine combined with high-pressure direct injection of hydrogen carrier: Ammonia

Ammonia, as a zero-carbon fuel, has the potential to serve as a medium for the production, transportation, and utilization of clean energy. The scaling up of green ammonia production also necessitates broader utilization channels for ammonia. Applying ammonia as a fuel in engines is an effective way to reduce carbon emissions. This paper employs dual direct injection technology of ammonia and diesel in a novel ammonia-fueled engine to implement various control strategies and investigates their effects on combustion and emission performance. The results indicate that when the ammonia injection timing is advanced from −40°CA ATDC to −60°CA ATDC, the flash boiling of liquid ammonia decreases the indicated thermal efficiency (ITE) below 39% and increases unburned gas emissions. Globally, injecting ammonia during the intake stroke could receive better performance. Split injection strategies of diesel significantly improve the ITE, especially under a higher pilot-injection ratio of 75%. Additionally, increasing the load benefits the ammonia combustion process. Raising the IMEP to 12 bar improves ammonia combustion efficiency to over 95%, with an ITE reaching 49%.

A comparative analysis of the performances of a syngas port injection plus gasoline direct injection combined-injection spark-ignition engine under lean-homogeneous charge and Lean-Stratified Charge modes

This study conducts a comparative analysis of the performances of a syngas port injection plus gasoline direct injection combined-injection spark-ignition engine operating in Lean-Homogeneous Charge (LHC) and Lean-Stratified Charge (LSC) modes. Results demonstrate that adjusting direct injection timing achieves LHC with early intake stroke injection and LSC with late compression stroke injection. Regarding mixture charge, increasing excess air ratio (λ) or syngas injection proportion (SIP) in LHC mode improves mixture homogeneity, while a higher SIP in LSC mode enhances mixture distribution for ignition. Concerning combustion characteristics, both modes benefit from lower λ and higher SIP with increased peak cylinder pressure, heat release rate, flame speed, and in-cylinder temperature. A higher λ extends CA0-10 and CA10-90, while a higher SIP shortens these durations. Regarding emissions, a higher λ positively affect HC, CO, and NOx emissions, whereas a higher SIP reduces HC, CO and soot but increases NOx emissions. The comparison between LHC and LSC highlights the superior combustion efficiency of LSC, whereas LHC excels in emission control.

Effect of injection timings and injection pressure on knock mitigation with a compression stroke injection of hydrous ethanol in spark ignition

Direct injection fuel systems provide precise control over the amount of fuel injected and can enable higher compression ratio operation and earlier combustion phasing under knock-limited operation, particularly for fuels with a high cooling potential like hydrous ethanol, a blend of 92% ethanol and 8% water. Moving a portion of the total fuel mass from an intake stroke injection to a compression stroke injection can provide a knock suppression benefit, which can enable more efficient operation. In this work, the influence of injection pressure on this split injection spark ignition strategy is examined. The effect of injection pressure on two intake stroke injections were characterized, with an injection pressure of 200 bar improving combustion efficiency by ∼3 percentage points and advancing knock-limited CA50 by 1 crank angle degree over an injection pressure of 30 bar. Then, a compression stroke injection was introduced and swept into the compression stroke while maintaining the two intake stroke injections. Direct injections at an injection pressure of 30 bar enabled a small knock intensity reduction of ∼20%, whereas an injection pressure of 200 bar enabled a larger reduction of ∼90% in knock intensity. The spark timing advance permitted by the reduction in knock intensity with a compression stroke injection timing of −80 degrees after top dead center was 0.3 and 2.0 degrees at an injection pressure of 30 and 200 bar, respectively. Then, the second intake stroke injection was varied at 200 bar to evaluate how the stratification profile prior to the compression stroke injection impacted its ability to reduce knock intensity. It was found that compression stroke injections with an early second intake stroke injection was effective at reducing knock intensity throughout the compression stroke. As the second intake stroke injection was retarded, the early compression stroke injections became less effective at suppressing knock.

A Twice-Open Control Method for a Hydraulic Variable Valve System in a Diesel Engine

In order to solve the cold-starting problem and improve the intake and exhaust pipe temperatures of diesel engines under cold-starting and low- and medium-speed conditions, this paper proposes a twice-open control method for a hydraulic variable valve system. First, a hydraulic variable valve system that can realize a fully variable valve lift and phase angle is applied to replace the original intake system in order to meet the air intake requirements of different conditions. Then, a twice-open control method in which the intake valve opens two times at the exhaust stroke and intake stroke is proposed to improve the intake pipe temperature and solve the cold-starting problem. This paper contains a numerical work analysis. A GT-POWER model is constructed to validate the intake valve twice-open control method. The cylinder pressure, cylinder temperature, intake pipe pressure, and intake pipe temperature are obtained and compared between the original intake valve system and the hydraulic variable valve system with the proposed intake valve twice-open control method. The results show that the twice-open control method can increase the intake pipe temperature to 260 K or even higher, which can improve the cold-starting performance and the exhaust temperature at low and medium speeds. At the same time, the performance under low- and medium-speed conditions is improved.

Comparison Of A Molecularly-Controlled Combustion Engine To A DISI Engine

In addition to the increased use of electromobility, significant improvements in the efficiency of internal combustion engines (ICE) to achieve a considerable reduction of emissions is crucial to advance the transition towards a sustainable transport sector. One approach to increase the efficiency of combustion engines is active pre-chamber ignited engines (Molecularly Controlled Combustion Engines, MCC). The traditional spark ignition is replaced by a chamber that ignites a secondary fuel. The burning fuel is emitted from the pre-chamber via multiple holes, igniting the fuel air mixture in the main combustion chamber. To eject the flame jets tangentially to the pent roof, the pre-chamber protrudes into the main chamber in the center of the main chamber’s pent roof. This particular geometry of an MCCengine, however, alters the flow field inside MCC-engines. To facilitate future developments around MCC-engines and to understand the interactions of the flow field with the pre-chamber, a Stereo Particle-Image Velocimetry (SPIV) study is conducted in an optically accessible MCC-engine model. Previous velocity field data, which were acquired using a Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) engine configuration at the same operating point as the MCC-engine, are compared to those of the MCC-engine. Phase-averaged velocity field data of both engines acquired during the intake stroke are compared based on their in-plane velocity fields and the in-plane vorticity. The two engine configurations show significantly different magnitudes of velocity in their combustion chamber flow field. In the MCC-engine, a downwash flow component can be attributed to flow deflection caused by the pre-chamber protruding from the engine’s pent roof. One important flow feature of ICE, the tumble vortex, is analyzed for both engine configurations. An increased absolute vorticity and a different temporal development of the tumble vorticity is noted for the MCC-engine. The tumble flap, an engine component that influences the intake flow distribution, is considered a main contributor to the difference in flow velocity and tumble vorticity.

Cause-and-effect chain analysis of combustion cyclic variability in a spark-ignition engine using large-eddy simulation, Part I: From tumble compression to flame initiation

Understanding, modeling, and reducing the cycle-to-cycle variability (CCV) of combustion in internal combustion engines (ICE) is a critical challenge to design engines of high efficiency and low emissions. A high level of CCV may contribute to partial burn, misfire, and knock in extreme engine cycles, which affects engine performance and eventually damages the engine. The origins of CCV have been studied both experimentally and numerically, and the variability of in-cylinder aerodynamics is recognized as one of the most important sources of CCV. However, a detailed and quantitative explanation of how in-cylinder flow CCV is generated is not yet clear. The objective of the present study is to develop a methodology to localize inside the chamber of a spark-ignition engine (SIE) the origins of flow variabilities and to identify some driving mechanisms leading to combustion variabilities. Multi-cycle wall-modeled large-eddy simulations (LES) for the TU Darmstadt optical engine under fired conditions are performed using the CFD solver Converge 3.0. The evolution of organized large-scale structures and the small-scale turbulence of the in-cylinder flow are analyzed using a developed methodology that includes the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method adapted for 2D and 3D flow fields, and a vortex identification tool Γ3p. The contributions of different parts of the flow to CCV are quantified. In Part I of this work, the LES framework is validated against experimental data, and CCV of large-scale structures is characterized at spark timing. In Part II, the overall flow development during compression and intake strokes are quantitatively analyzed, and links are built between different engine phases to establish the cause-and-effect chain. Other CCV factors, such as spray injection and exhaust gas recirculation, are not included in the current study. However, the developed methodology for in-cylinder flow analysis could be used in studies on other engine configurations to improve the development of engine designs.Novelty and significance statementIn this work, the cycle-to-cycle variability (CCV) of combustion in a spark ignition engine is investigated to give a deeper understanding of CCV generation. The present study focuses on CCV caused by the stochastic nature of internal turbulent flow structures. LES approach is chosen due to its ability to capture CCV. The LES methodology was validated in a motored case in Ding et al. (2023). In the present study, it is validated in a reactive case against experimental in-cylinder pressures and velocity fields.A first novelty is the application of EMD methods combined with topology-based techniques to reactive LES results to characterize flow structures of different scales in the three-dimensional domain and to quantify separately their impacts on combustion.A second novelty and important finding is that a link is established between the combustion speed and the tumble formation and destabilization near BDC.Throughout our analyses in Part I and II, starting from the spark-ignition timing and going back to the early intake phase, a cause-and-effect chain is finally established between the development of in-cylinder flow and the combustion variability.

An Innovative Mechanical Approach to Mitigating Torque Fluctuations in IC Engines during Idle Operation

Internal combustion engines have been a major contributor to air pollution. Replacing these engines with electric propulsion systems presents significant challenges due to different countries’ needs and limitations. An active, purely mechanical solution to the problem of irregular torque production in an alternative internal combustion engine is proposed. This solution uses an actuator built on a camshaft and a spring, which stores and returns energy during the engine operating cycle, allowing torque production to be normalized, avoiding heavy flywheels. Designed for control throughout the engine’s duty cycle, this system incorporates a cam profile and a spring mechanism. The spring captures energy during the expansion stroke, which is then released to the engine during the intake and compression strokes. Simple, lightweight, and efficient, this system ensures smoother and more consistent engine operations. It presents a viable alternative to the heavy and problematic dual-mass flywheels that were introduced in the 1980s and are still in use. This innovative approach could significantly enhance the performance and reliability of alternative internal combustion engines without notable energy losses.

RETRACTED: Research on the kinetics characteristics and in-cylinder combustion of opposed rotary piston engine for different power output modes

As a new type of internal combustion engine, opposed rotary piston (ORP) engine has the advantages of simple structure and high working frequency, and can achieve high power density. Consequently, it stands as an ideal power source for hybrid power systems and unmanned aerial vehicles. The ORP engine has different power output modes, corresponding to different piston rotation and volume evolutions of combustion chamber. However, the effect of power output modes on kinetics characteristics and in-cylinder combustion of ORP engines are still uncovered. In this paper, the kinematic model of an ORP engine is established for scenarios involving power output by different shafts (Shaft 1 and Shaft 3). Meanwhile, the piston rotation patterns and cylinder volume variations are investigated correspondingly. Further, three-dimensional numerical model of the ORP engine is established, enabling analysis of in-cylinder combustion characteristics, engine performance, as well as nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. The results indicate that the volume variations of all cylinders follow a consistent pattern under the power output by Shaft 3. A pair of opposed cylinders features longer durations of intake and expansion strokes, and shorter durations of compression and exhaust strokes, the other pair of combustion chambers is the opposite under the power output by Shaft 1. The engine demonstrates a charging efficiency of 95.36 %, with corresponding indicated thermal efficiency and indicated power output of 38.08 % and 40.9 kW, respectively. The two adjacent cylinders present significantly different operation processes in the case of the power output by Shaft 1, achieving charging efficiencies of 94.29 % and 89.11 %, respectively, with the indicated thermal efficiency of 34.49 % and 31.60 %. The corresponding minimum indicated specific fuel consumption under the two power output modes are 211.7 g/kW∙h and 243.7 g/kW∙h, respectively, accompanied by NOx emission factors of 25.3 g/kW∙h and 17.6 g/kW∙h. With the given range of ignition timing, a trade-off relationship exists between the engine performance and NOx emissions. The power density of the case of power output by Shaft 3 is superior to that of Shaft 1.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Risk of Ischemic Stroke in REGARDS.

We examined associations between lipidomic profiles and incident ischemic stroke in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort. Plasma lipids (n = 195) were measured from baseline blood samples, and lipids were consolidated into underlying factors using exploratory factor analysis. Cox proportional hazards models were used to test associations between lipid factors and incident stroke, linear regressions to determine associations between dietary intake and lipid factors, and the inverse odds ratio weighting (IORW) approach to test mediation. The study followed participants over a median (IQR) of 7 (3.4-11) years, and the case-cohort substudy included 1075 incident ischemic stroke and 968 non-stroke participants. One lipid factor, enriched for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid), was inversely associated with stroke risk in a base model (HR = 0.84; 95%CI 0.79-0.90; P = 8.33 × 10-8) and fully adjusted model (HR = 0.88; 95%CI 0.83-0.94; P = 2.79 × 10-4). This factor was associated with a healthy diet pattern (β = 0.21; 95%CI 0.12-0.30; P = 2.06 × 10-6), specifically with fish intake (β = 1.96; 95%CI 0.95-2.96; P = 1.36 × 10-4). DHA was a mediator between fish intake and incident ischemic stroke (30% P = 5.78 × 10-3). Taken together, DHA-containing plasma lipids were inversely associated with incident ischemic stroke and mediated the relationship between fish intake and stroke risk.

Analysis of In-Cylinder Flow in a Small-Bore Spark-Ignition Engine Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations and Zero-Dimensional-Based Modeling

Abstract The evolution of in-cylinder flow involves large- and small-scale structures during the intake and compression strokes, significantly influencing the fuel–air mixing and combustion processes. Extensive research has been conducted to investigate the flow evolution in medium- to large-sized engines using laser-based diagnostic methods, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, and zero-dimensional (0D) based modeling. In the present study, we provide a detailed analysis of the evolution of flow fields in a small-bore spark ignition (SI) engine with a displacement volume of 110 cm3. This analysis employs a unique methodology, where CFD simulation is performed and validated using measured particle image velocimetry (PIV) data. Subsequently, the validated CFD results are utilized to develop and validate a 0D-based model as it is computationally more efficient. The validated CFD simulation and 0D-based model are then used to evaluate the quantified strength of the flow by calculating the tumble ratio and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE). The streamlines and velocity vectors of the flow fields obtained from CFD simulations are utilized to explain the evolution of these parameters during intake and compression strokes. The study is further extended to analyze the effect of engine speed on the evolution of flow fields. With an increase in engine speed, relatively higher values of tumble ratio and TKE at the end of the compression stroke are observed, which is expected to improve the fuel–air mixing and combustion efficiency.

The Effect of Water Injection on a Naturally Aspirated Spark-Ignited Engine

Water injection (WI) is a well-known technique to mitigate knocking phenomena, reducing the in-cylinder gas temperature with a high heat of vaporization and specific heat of water. In this study, the effect of WI directly into the cylinder on fuel efficiency was investigated using a 2.0 L naturally aspirated (NA), four-cylinder, port fuel injection (PFI)-spark-ignited (SI) engine. Spray visualization of water injection by a commercial gasoline direct-injection (GDI) injector was performed to elucidate the water evaporation characteristics. In engine experiments, combustion characteristics were analyzed by adjusting the WI timing and amount. Synergistic effects with other gas dilution techniques, such as EGR and Lean burn, were also investigated. The spray image of WI showed poor evaporation of water compared to gasoline, even at high fuel temperatures. The optimal timing of WI was advanced up to the early intake stroke due to the harsh conditions of NA engines for water evaporation compared to turbocharged engines. With the combination of EGR, the optimal WI timing was advanced by the compression stroke, and further fuel efficiency improvement was achieved. In lean combustion, WI can improve both combustion stability and fuel efficiency.

Исследование процесса впуска в газовых двигателях с внешним смесеобразованием

Purpose: To identify existing problems, namely the low homogeneity of the air-fuel mixture and fuel losses when valves are closed, and the advantages of central fuel injection, namely its relative ease of adjustment and location of gas injectors, and its main differences from distributed injection. To show existing ways to solve these problems. To demonstrate the lack of environmental and economic efficiency in central fuel injection. To calculate the amount of fuel entering the engine exhaust system when the valves are closed. To show ways to increase the efficiency of fuel utilization during engine operation. Methods: Calculation of the mass of natural gas entering the engine exhaust system during the valve overlap period, considering the duration of the period, the cross-sectional area of the valve gap, the total amount of fuel supplied during the intake stroke, the density of the fuel, the flow rate when entering the cylinder and the stoichiometric ratio. Results: The need to consider the amount of fuel consumed when operating a gas engine is shown. The existing problems of using central fuel supply are indicated. A method for calculating gas fuel losses when valves are closed is formulated and justified. It has been established which parameters influence the mass of fuel that does not enter the cylinder during the intake process. It is concluded that it is necessary to use other injection methods, or to significantly improve the intake process of central injection. Practical significance: The influence of the method of supplying fuel to a gas internal combustion engine on the environmental friendliness of the engine and fuel efficiency is shown. A method has been formulated for calculating gas fuel losses during the period of valve overlap, considering the design parameters of the intake system and the duration of opening of the intake valves.

Investigation of oil emission mechanisms in a marine medium-speed dual-fuel engine

Pilot-ignition Otto marine engines are known for greatly reduced emissions of air pollutants (sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxide, particulates) compared to marine diesel engines. However, lubricating oil emissions still are about one order of magnitude higher than in land-based systems. To identify reduction potentials, a better understanding of oil emission mechanisms has to be gained. For this purpose, mass spectrometric oil emission measurements and fluorescence lubricating film thickness measurements were performed on a medium-speed marine engine. With the fluorescence measuring system, the varying lubricating oil film on the cylinder wall can be visualised and analysed in sub-crank-angle resolution. By applying the developed calibration method to the measurement data, the oil film thickness can be determined in µm. It is shown that the oil film left by the piston rings on the liner as it moves down is almost halved after ignition compared to during intake stroke. The authors have further been able to detect and time operating point dependent ring rotation and investigations show a connection between ring rotation and cylinder liner temperature distribution. Aligning ring gaps allow blow-by to happen. This and other high intensity events such as engine knock, load shedding or the transition from diesel-mode to gas-mode, heavily disturb the oil layer and cause peaking oil emissions.

Review of the atypical systems of slow-speed two-stroke marine engines

This article provides a review of the varying systems of slow-speed, two-stroke marine engines. The paper begins with the operating principles of the typical two-stroke engine cycle employed in these engines, highlighting the intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust strokes. It then continues with defining and describing other unconventional systems rarely found on engines of different sizes and applications. The focus of the study case is on the systems that prevent pollution, as well as various other systems observed in larger marine engines.

Numerical simulation of the diesel engine starting considering air pre-heating in the intake system

BACKGROUND: Low temperature of the intake air is one of the reasons of difficult starting of a cold diesel engine in conditions of negative outside temperatures. For a reliable staring of a cold diesel engine, it is necessary to have the temperature at the end of the compression stroke higher than the fuel self-ignition temperature. As the temperature at the end of the compression stroke is defined, first, by the temperature at the end of the intake stroke, the mentioned condition can be satisfied with preliminary warming of the air entering in a cylinder. AIMS: The article is devoted to solving the task related to development of a mathematical model of a diesel engine taking into account air pre-heating in the intake system and ensuring simulation of the pre-starting mode, starting and operation of a diesel engine in conditions of low negative outside temperature. METHODS: The enhanced mathematical model of a diesel engine basing on heat mechanics (thermodynamics of opened systems) which reflects main features of an internal combustion engine (ICE) as the system transforming energy in time domain is proposed in the article. The mathematical model’s equation system is based on laws of conservation of energy and mass, solid bodies’ motion equation and includes differential equations of changing of temperature and density of the working body in a cylinder, in the intake system and in the ICE’s crankcase, the ideal gas state equation as well as differential equations of changing of rotation velocity and rotation angle of an engine’s crankshaft. RESULTS: The mathematical model was tried out on the example of the 1Ch9.5/8.0 multi-purposed air-cooled diesel engine. The results of simulation of the pre-starting mode, starting and operation of the diesel engine taking into account air pre-heating in the intake system are presented in the article. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of air pre-heating at the intake in the design of diesel engines is the most effective way of ensure starting of the engines at low negative outside temperature. The obtained results help to develop recommendations of choosing power and operation modes of pre-heating devices for ensuring starting and operation of diesel engines in conditions of low negative outside temperatures.

Engine Performance Technology and Applications

The aim of this paper is to summarize and consolidate the optimization and improvements in engine types, new technologies, and existing technologies over the past few years. Additionally, it effectively analyzes the impact of improved engines on automotive performance and driving experience. Regarding direct-injection technology, this paper primarily highlights the new technology in the field of natural gas direct-injection engines. Among these, high-pressure direct-injection natural gas engines excel in improving fuel economy and emissions, effectively suppressing the limitations of knocking on such engines' output power. On the other hand, low-pressure direct-injection natural gas engines exhibit lower injection pressures when the engine is in the intake stroke. Concerning variable valve timing technology, the study investigates parameters such as the angle adjustment of the variable valve timing mechanism, unlocking methods, and unlocking pressures. Furthermore, the dual VVT-I technology enhances intake efficiency, ensuring ample torque output within the low and mid-range RPMs, guaranteeing sufficient power performance in various operating conditions. In today's rapidly advancing industrial technology landscape, many technologies have made significant progress. However, the current societal trend is moving towards energy conservation and carbon reduction, gradually phasing out traditional engines from the historical stage. The future development trend will be new energy engines, such as new energy materials like pure electric, hydrogen, and natural gas. Additionally, artificial intelligence will rapidly emerge in various industries.

Fuel-air mixing in motored CFR engine at research octane number (RON) relevant condition

This paper presents a three-dimensional (3-D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study of a motored cooperative fuel research (CFR) engine at research octane number (RON) relevant condition. The boundary conditions for 3-D simulations were generated with a one-dimensional GT-Power model. For the first time in literature, a carburetor was added to a virtual CFR engine model with 3-D CFD. Therefore, the proposed setup can simulate the fuel and thermal stratifications inside the engine cylinder with realistic detail. The transient simulations in this work were performed within the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) framework with a Realizable k-ε turbulence model. Major conclusions from the present work are: (1) The in-cylinder flow of the CFR engine is swirl-dominated due to the existence of the intake valve shroud. (2) There is a significant amount of liquid droplets entering the cylinder during the intake stroke. The maximum instantaneous amount of liquid for 50% PRF 87 (containing 87% iso-octane and 13% n-heptane (v/v)) and 50% ethanol mixture is indicated to be around 26% of total injected fuel mass. (3) The heat of vaporization (HoV) of the fuel is responsible for creating both temperature and charge stratification inside the cylinder.

Impact of engine control variables on low load combustion efficiency and exhaust emissions of a methane-diesel dual fuel engine

A conventional diesel engine when operated in the reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) combustion strategy faces challenges of high total hydrocarbon (THC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions leading to poor combustion efficiency at low engine loads. The oxides of nitrogen (NOx) versus smoke trade-off, encountered in conventional diesel combustion, is replaced by the NOx-THC trade-off in the RCCI operation. This work focuses on addressing the NOx-THC trade-off issue by systematically investigating the effects of engine control variables, such as, fuel injection timing, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and intake throttling, on a light duty compression ignition engine running in a methane-diesel dual fuel mode. The engine is operated at a load of 3 bar gross indicated mean effective pressure and at a speed of 1500 rev/min. Based on relationships identified between engine control variables, combustion parameters, emissions and engine performance, a bottom-up approach is used to combine the control variables synergistically to improve the NOx-THC trade-off. A combination of advanced start of injection timing of diesel (−35 degree crank angle (°CA) after top dead centre), 50% premix ratio and 55% EGR levels along with the end of port fuel injection of methane in the middle of the intake stroke (−270°CA), has resulted in a ∼34 percentage points (from 56% to 90%) improvement in combustion efficiency and a ∼9.5 percentage points improvement in thermal efficiency compared to the baseline low load dual fuel operation while maintaining good combustion stability. THC emission is reduced from 105 to ∼25 g/kWh whilst maintaining low levels of NOx (<0.3 g/kWh).

Numerical Simulation of Turbulent Structures Inside Internal Combustion Engines Using Large Eddy Simulation Method

<div>Using two subgrid-scale models of Smagorinsky and its dynamic version, large eddy simulation (LES) approach is applied to develop a 3D computer code simulating the in-cylinder flow during intake and compression strokes in an engine geometry consisting of a pancake-shaped piston with a fixed valve. The results are compared with corresponding experimental data and a standard K-Ɛ turbulence model. LES results generally show better agreement with available experimental data suggesting that LES with dynamic subgrid-scale model is more effective method for accurately predicting the in-cylinder flow field. Representative Fiat engine equipped with moving valve and piston bowl is analyzed as the second case to assess the capability of the method to handle complex geometries and impacts of geometrical parameters such as shape and position of piston bowl together with swirling intake flow pattern on both turbulent structure of in-cylinder flow and engine performance using dynamic version of LES approach over a curvilinear computational meshed geometry. Results indicate that presence of piston bowl leads to eye-catching increment in both turbulent kinematic energy and tumble ratio amounts at the end of compression stroke by around 29% and 33%, respectively. The optimum swirl ratio found to be 4, leading to 67.9% increment in pre-injection turbulent kinetic energy in comparison with non-swirl pattern, whereas 20% eccentricity of cylinder bowl just led to 2% improvement in the pre-injection turbulent kinetic energy, which is not recommended due to small impact compared to noticeable manufacturing expenditures.</div>

A detailed multidimensional simulation for the cold start process of a gasoline direct injection engine using a fractal engine simulation model

The cold start process for a gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine was studied through multidimensional simulations using a Fractal Engine Simulation (FES) model integrated into CONVERGE CFD. The simulations were focused on the very first firing cycle in the cold start process, as most of the hydrocarbon emissions derive from this cycle. The dramatically changing engine speed and low wall temperatures in the cylinder present challenges for simulation. It turned out that the FES model was able to predict the in-cylinder pressure traces for all four cylinders for the first firing cycle, and gave good agreement with the experimental measurements under these extremely transient conditions. More comprehensive analysis demonstrated the causes for the different behavior of the combustion in different cylinders: more injected fuel and a higher induced tumble ratio in cylinder 3, the first to fire, led to a higher average equivalence ratio and better fuel distribution, which resulted in the highest peak pressure; the worse fuel distribution from the lower tumble ratio, together with the lower normalized turbulence, caused weaker combustion in cylinder 4; the peak pressures were similar and on the low side for cylinders 2 and 1, mainly determined by the low average equivalence ratio. An improved strategy with multiple injections was proposed, with the first two in the intake stroke and two later injections in the compression stroke rather than one injection during each stroke. Although the total injected fuel was the same as the baseline strategy, more fuel evaporated due to the enhanced fuel evaporation from both droplets and wall films, resulting in a higher average equivalence ratio in the cylinder. The peak cylinder pressure and IMEP rose by 33.3% and 8.4%, respectively, using the 4-injection strategy compared to the baseline 2-injection strategy, and the 4-injection strategy was verified by the experiments, as well.