MODELING NANOSECOND-PULSED SPARK DISCHARGE AND FLAME KERNEL EVOLUTION

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Joohan Kim ◽  
Vyaas Gururajan ◽  
Riccardo Scarcelli ◽  
Sayan Biswas ◽  
Isaac Ekoto
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Discharge ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Fuel Mixture ◽  
Spark Ignition ◽  
Combustion Stability ◽  
Flame Kernel ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Challenging Environment ◽  
Kernel Growth

Abstract Dilute combustion, either using exhaust gas recirculation or with excess-air, is considered a promising strategy to improve the thermal efficiency of internal combustion engines. However, the dilute air-fuel mixture, especially under intensified turbulence and high-pressure conditions, poses significant challenges for ignitability and combustion stability, which may limit the attainable efficiency benefits. In-depth knowledge of the flame kernel evolution to stabilize ignition and combustion in a challenging environment is crucial for effective engine development and optimization. To date, comprehensive understanding of ignition processes that result in the development of fully predictive ignition models usable by the automotive industry does not yet exist. Spark-ignition consists of a wide range of physics that includes electrical discharge, plasma evolution, joule-heating of gas, and flame kernel initiation and growth into a self-sustainable flame. In this study, an advanced approach is proposed to model spark-ignition energy deposition and flame kernel growth. To decouple the flame kernel growth from the electrical discharge, a nanosecond pulsed high-voltage discharge is used to trigger spark-ignition in an optically accessible small ignition test vessel with a quiescent mixture of air and methane. Initial conditions for the flame kernel, including its thermodynamic state and species composition, are derived from a plasma-chemical equilibrium calculation. The geometric shape and dimension of the kernel are characterized using a multi-dimensional thermal plasma solver. The proposed modeling approach is evaluated using a high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics procedure to compare the simulated flame kernel evolution against flame boundaries from companion schlieren images.

Modeling Nanosecond-Pulsed Spark Discharge and Flame Kernel Evolution

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joohan Kim ◽  
Vyaas Gururajan ◽  
Riccardo Scarcelli ◽  
Sayan Biswas ◽  
Isaac Ekoto
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Discharge ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Fuel Mixture ◽  
Spark Ignition ◽  
Combustion Stability ◽  
Flame Kernel ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Challenging Environment ◽  
Kernel Growth

Abstract Dilute combustion, either using exhaust gas recirculation or with excess-air, is considered a promising strategy to improve the thermal efficiency of internal combustion engines. However, the dilute air-fuel mixture, especially under intensified turbulence and high-pressure conditions, poses significant challenges for ignitability and combustion stability, which may limit the attainable efficiency benefits. In-depth knowledge of the flame kernel evolution to stabilize ignition and combustion in a challenging environment is crucial for effective engine development and optimization. To date, comprehensive understanding of ignition processes that result in the development of fully predictive ignition models usable by the automotive industry does not yet exist. Spark-ignition consists of a wide range of physics that includes electrical discharge, plasma evolution, joule-heating of gas, and flame kernel initiation and growth into a self-sustainable flame. In this study, an advanced approach is proposed to model spark-ignition energy deposition and flame kernel growth. To decouple the flame kernel growth from the electrical discharge, a nanosecond pulsed high-voltage discharge is used to trigger spark-ignition in an optically accessible small ignition test vessel with a quiescent mixture of air and methane. Initial conditions for the flame kernel, including its thermodynamic state and species composition, are derived from a plasma-chemical equilibrium calculation. The geometric shape and dimension of the kernel are characterized using a multi-dimensional thermal plasma solver. The proposed modeling approach is evaluated using a high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics procedure to compare the simulated flame kernel evolution against flame boundaries from companion schlieren images.

Capturing Cyclic Variability in Exhaust Gas Recirculation Dilute Spark-Ignition Combustion Using Multicycle RANS

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo Scarcelli ◽  
James Sevik ◽  
Thomas Wallner ◽  
Keith Richards ◽  
Eric Pomraning ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ◽  
Spark Ignition ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Combustion Stability ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Cyclic Variability ◽  
Ignition Characteristics ◽  
Gas Recirculation

Dilute combustion is an effective approach to increase the thermal efficiency of spark-ignition (SI) internal combustion engines (ICEs). However, high dilution levels typically result in large cycle-to-cycle variations (CCV) and poor combustion stability, therefore limiting the efficiency improvement. In order to extend the dilution tolerance of SI engines, advanced ignition systems are the subject of extensive research. When simulating the effect of the ignition characteristics on CCV, providing a numerical result matching the measured average in-cylinder pressure trace does not deliver useful information regarding combustion stability. Typically large eddy simulations (LES) are performed to simulate cyclic engine variations, since Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) modeling is expected to deliver an ensemble-averaged result. In this paper, it is shown that, when using RANS, the cyclic perturbations coming from different initial conditions at each cycle are not damped out even after many simulated cycles. As a result, multicycle RANS results feature cyclic variability. This allows evaluating the effect of advanced ignition sources on combustion stability but requires validation against the entire cycle-resolved experimental dataset. A single-cylinder gasoline direct injection (GDI) research engine is simulated using RANS and the numerical results for 20 consecutive engine cycles are evaluated for several operating conditions, including stoichiometric as well as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) dilute operation. The effect of the ignition characteristics on CCV is also evaluated. Results show not only that multicycle RANS simulations can capture cyclic variability and deliver similar trends as the experimental data but more importantly that RANS might be an effective, lower-cost alternative to LES for the evaluation of ignition strategies for combustion systems that operate close to the stability limit.

G-equation based ignition model for direct injection spark ignition engines

2021 ◽  
pp. 146808742110139
Author(s):  
Arun C Ravindran ◽  
Sage L Kokjohn ◽  
Benjamin Petersen
Keyword(s):  
Heat Release ◽  
Direct Injection ◽  
Turbulent Flame ◽  
Spark Ignition ◽  
Discharge Process ◽  
Flame Kernel ◽  
Turbulent Flame Speed ◽  
Direct Injection Spark Ignition ◽  
Kernel Growth ◽  
Spark Energy

To accurately model the Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) combustion process, it is important to account for the effects of the spark energy discharge process. The proximity of the injected fuel spray and spark electrodes leads to steep gradients in local velocities and equivalence ratios, particularly under cold-start conditions when multiple injection strategies are employed. The variations in the local properties at the spark plug location play a significant role in the growth of the initial flame kernel established by the spark and its subsequent evolution into a turbulent flame. In the present work, an ignition model is presented that is compatible with the G-Equation combustion model, which responds to the effects of spark energy discharge and the associated plasma expansion effects. The model is referred to as the Plasma Velocity on G-surface (PVG) model, and it uses the G-surface to capture the early kernel growth. The model derives its theory from the Discrete Particle Ignition (DPIK) model, which accounts for the effects of electrode heat transfer, spark energy, and chemical heat release from the fuel on the early flame kernel growth. The local turbulent flame speed has been calculated based on the instantaneous location of the flame kernel on the Borghi-Peters regime diagram. The model has been validated against the experimental measurements given by Maly and Vogel,1 and the constant volume flame growth measurements provided by Nwagwe et al.2 Multi-cycle simulations were performed in CONVERGE3 using the PVG ignition model in combination with the G-Equation-based GLR4 model in a RANS framework to capture the combustion characteristics of a DISI engine. Good agreements with the experimental pressure trace and apparent heat-release rates were obtained. Additionally, the PVG ignition model was observed to substantially reduce the sensitivity of the default G-sourcing ignition method employed by CONVERGE.

Effect of injection and ignition timing on a hydrogen-lean stratified charge combustion engine

2021 ◽  
pp. 146808742110346
Author(s):  
Sanguk Lee ◽  
Gyeonggon Kim ◽  
Choongsik Bae
Keyword(s):  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Spark Ignition ◽  
Spark Ignition Engine ◽  
Combustion Stability ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Injection Timing ◽  
Ignition Timing ◽  
Particulate Emission ◽  
Stratified Charge ◽  
Lean Limit

Hydrogen can be used as a fuel for internal combustion engines to realize a carbon-neutral transport society. By extending the lean limit of spark ignition engines, their efficiency, and emission characteristics can be improved. In this study, stratified charge combustion (SCC) using monofueled hydrogen direct injection was used to extend the lean limit of a spark ignition engine. The injection and ignition timing were varied to examine their effect on the SCC characteristics. An engine experiment was performed in a spray-guided single-cylinder research engine, and the nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions were measured. Depending on the injection timing, two different types of combustion were characterized: mild and hard combustion. The advancement and retardation of the ignition timing resulted in a high and low combustion stability, respectively. The lubricant-based particulate emission was attributed to the in-cylinder temperature and area of the flame surface. Therefore, the results of the study suggest that the optimization of the hydrogen SCC based on the injection and ignition timing could contribute to a clean and efficient transport sector.

scholarly journals Analysis of thermodynamic parameters in spark ignition VCR engine

2019 ◽  
Vol 294 ◽  
pp. 05001
Author(s):  
Patryk Urbański ◽  
Maciej Bajerlein ◽  
Jerzy Merkisz ◽  
Andrzej Ziółkowski ◽  
Dawid Gallas
Keyword(s):  
Thermodynamic Parameters ◽  
Motion Analysis ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Combustion Process ◽  
Internal Combustion ◽  
3D Models ◽  
Spark Ignition ◽  
Combustion Engines ◽  
Combustion Processes

3D models of Szymkowiak and conventional engines were created in the Solidworks program. During the motion analysis, the characteristics of the piston path were analyzed for the two considered engine units. The imported file with the generated piston routes was used in the AVL Fire program, which simulated combustion processes in the two engines with identical initial conditions. The configurations for two different compression ratios were taken into account. The basic thermodynamic parameters occurring during the combustion process in internal combustion engines were analyzed.

Experimental Study of Spark Plasma Stretching and Combustion Variations Analysis Using Flame Luminosity Images From an Optically Accessible Internal Combustion Engine

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Behdad Afkhami ◽  
Yanyu Wang ◽  
Scott A. Miers ◽  
Jeffrey D. Naber
Keyword(s):  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Internal Combustion ◽  
Combustion Stability ◽  
Cylinder Pressure ◽  
Ic Engine ◽  
Flame Kernel ◽  
Spark Plasma ◽  
Intensity Images ◽  
Fuel Mixtures

Abstract Understanding the behavior of spark plasma and flame initiation in internal combustion engines leads to improvement in fuel economy and exhaust emissions. This paper experimentally investigated spark plasma stretching and cycle-to-cycle variations under various engine speed, load, and air–fuel mixtures using natural luminosity images. Natural luminosity images of combustion in an IC engine provide information about the flame speed, rate of energy release, and combustion stability. Binarization of the intensity images has been a desirable method for detecting flame front and studying flame propagation in combustors. However, binarization can cause a loss of information in the images. To study spark plasma stretching, the location of maximum intensity was tracked and compared to the trajectory of the flame centroid in binarized images as a representative for bulk flow motion. Analysis showed comparable trends between the trajectories of the flame centroid and spark stretching. From three air–fuel mixtures, the spark plasma for the lean mixture appeared to be more sensitive to the stretching. In addition, this research investigated combustion variations using two-dimensional (2D) intensity images and compared the results to coefficient of variation (COV) of indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) computed from in-cylinder pressure data. The results revealed a good correlation between the variations of the luminosity field during the main phase of combustion and the COV of IMEP. However, during the ignition and very early flame kernel formation, utilizing the luminosity field was more powerful than in-cylinder pressure-related parameters to capture combustion variations.

scholarly journals Sensitivity of Emissions to Uncertainties in Residual Gas Fraction Measurements in Automotive Engines: A Numerical Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
S. M. Aithal
Keyword(s):  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Gasoline Engine ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Fuel Mixture ◽  
Mixture Composition ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Engine Cylinder ◽  
Residual Gas Fraction ◽  
Residual Gas

Initial conditions of the working fluid (air-fuel mixture) within an engine cylinder, namely, mixture composition and temperature, greatly affect the combustion characteristics and emissions of an engine. In particular, the percentage of residual gas fraction (RGF) in the engine cylinder can significantly alter the temperature and composition of the working fluid as compared with the air-fuel mixture inducted into the engine, thus affecting engine-out emissions. Accurate measurement of the RGF is cumbersome and expensive, thus making it hard to accurately characterize the initial mixture composition and temperature in any given engine cycle. This uncertainty can lead to challenges in accurately interpreting experimental emissions data and in implementing real-time control strategies. Quantifying the effects of the RGF can have important implications for the diagnostics and control of internal combustion engines. This paper reports on the use of a well-validated, two-zone quasi-dimensional model to compute the engine-out NO and CO emission in a gasoline engine. The effect of varying the RGF on the emissions under lean, near-stoichiometric, and rich engine conditions was investigated. Numerical results show that small uncertainties (~2–4%) in the measured/computed values of the RGF can significantly affect the engine-out NO/CO emissions.

Experimental Investigation of a Simulated Byproduct Fuel Mixture From the Cl-ODH Process in a Spark-Ignition Engine

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt Gore ◽  
Kaushik Nonavinakere Vinod ◽  
Tiegang Fang
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Load Condition ◽  
Fuel Mixture ◽  
Spark Ignition ◽  
Active Species ◽  
Spark Ignition Engine ◽  
Process Efficiency ◽  
Mixed Gas ◽  
Minor Compounds

Abstract The study investigates a fuel mixture with ethane and methane as active species and a high dilution of CO2 for application in a spark-ignition (SI) engine. The simplified fuel mixture used is a byproduct of a chemical looping based oxidative dehydrogenation (Cl-ODH) process to convert ethane to ethylene. The byproduct gas mixture has a concentration of 41% CO2, 40% ethane, and 5% methane by weight along with other minor compounds. Varying mixtures of ethane and methane were selected and combined with between 42 to 46 percent by weight CO2 to evaluate the viability and efficiency of this fuel to operate in existing internal combustion engines as a means for reducing emissions and improving the process efficiency of the Cl-ODH process. An experimental test stand was built based on a 13 hp gasoline generator with modified gas induction. The engine was also instrumented for data acquisition from the engine. A gas metering and mixing system was installed to precisely control the mass of gases induced into the engine. Various instrumentation was installed on the engine to monitor in-cylinder pressure, temperature at various locations, emissions, and fuel and airflow rates. Varying loads were applied and flow rates of the gases were induced to simulate different mixtures. It was found that under a high load, the mixed gas was able to generate comparable thermal efficiency and power to gasoline. But under no load or a part load condition the indicated thermal efficiency was found to be lower than that of gasoline. Further, the mixed gas also resulted in lower CO and NOx emissions compared to gasoline. The application of this work is an alternative fuel for existing engines that with little modification can operate effectively and benefit the overall process of ethylene generation.

scholarly journals Effect of Cylinder-by-Cylinder Variation on Performance and Gaseous Emissions of a PFI Spark Ignition Engine: Experimental and 1D Numerical Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 6035
Author(s):  
Luigi Teodosio ◽  
Luca Marchitto ◽  
Cinzia Tornatore ◽  
Fabio Bozza ◽  
Gerardo Valentino
Keyword(s):  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Spark Ignition ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Spark Ignition Engine ◽  
Combustion Stability ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Gaseous Emissions ◽  
Performance And Emissions ◽  
The Impact

Combustion stability, engine efficiency and emissions in a multi-cylinder spark-ignition internal combustion engines can be improved through the advanced control and optimization of individual cylinder operation. In this work, experimental and numerical analyses were carried out on a twin-cylinder turbocharged port fuel injection (PFI) spark-ignition engine to evaluate the influence of cylinder-by-cylinder variation on performance and pollutant emissions. In a first stage, experimental tests are performed on the engine at different speed/load points and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rates, covering operating conditions typical of Worldwide harmonized Light-duty vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC). Measurements highlighted relevant differences in combustion evolution between cylinders, mainly due to non-uniform effective in-cylinder air/fuel ratio. Experimental data are utilized to validate a one-dimensional (1D) engine model, enhanced with user-defined sub-models of turbulence, combustion, heat transfer and noxious emissions. The model shows a satisfactory accuracy in reproducing the combustion evolution in each cylinder and the temperature of exhaust gases at turbine inlet. The pollutant species (HC, CO and NOx) predicted by the model show a good agreement with the ones measured at engine exhaust. Furthermore, the impact of cylinder-by-cylinder variation on gaseous emissions is also satisfactorily reproduced. The novel contribution of present work mainly consists in the extended numerical/experimental analysis on the effects of cylinder-by-cylinder variation on performance and emissions of spark-ignition engines. The proposed numerical methodology represents a valuable tool to support the engine design and calibration, with the aim to improve both performance and emissions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document