scholarly journals Numerical-Experimental Comparison of the Performance of a Partially Stratified Charge Natural Gas Fuelled Engine

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Andreassi ◽  
Stefano Cordiner ◽  
Vincenzo Mulone ◽  
C. Reynolds ◽  
R. L. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Direct Injection ◽  
Numerical Data ◽  
Optimization Procedure ◽  
Complete Information ◽  
Experimental Comparison ◽  
Combustion Model ◽  
Stratified Charge ◽  
Spark Plug ◽  
Reduce Emissions

Compressed natural gas (CNG) has great potential as an alternative fuel for vehicle engines, and can reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. A single cylinder research engine has been modified to enable direct injection of a small quantity of fuel near the spark plug, independently of an overall lean homogeneous charge. Thus a partially stratified charge is formed within the chamber, which allows significant extension of the lean limit of combustion. This results in an improvement in specific fuel consumption. Numerical simulation also plays an important role in the development of such technological solutions. 3D simulations, in particular, are desirable to provide complete information about thermal and fluid dynamical fields within the chamber. In particular, among the developed numerical tools linked to the KIVA-3V code, special attention was dedicated to the formulation of the combustion model (CFM) turbulent combustion model based on the flamelet hypothesis), to adequately model non-homogeneities and lean mixture compositions. In this paper an optimization procedure is assessed, with the ultimate goal of designing combustion chambers properly devoted to be operated under lean (homogeneous and PSC) mixture conditions. The results related to the procedure definition and to its experimental validation are presented. Experimental and numerical data have been compared in terms of pressure cycles and heat release rate profiles. The overall results are encouraging, taking into special account the difficulty to reliably predict the key performance parameters without any “tuning interventions”, even when mixture richness and homogeneity were varied.

Diesel engine control optimization for transient operation with lean/rich switches

2003 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. P. Kyrtatos ◽  
E. I. Tzanos ◽  
C. I. Papadopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Diesel Engine ◽  
Direct Injection ◽  
Optimization Procedure ◽  
Combustion Model ◽  
Transient Operation ◽  
Simulation Code ◽  
Engine Operation ◽  
Control Optimization ◽  
Management Schemes ◽  
Engine Components

Transient operation of a direct injection heavy duty (DI HD) diesel engine equipped with an NOx storage catalyst (NSC) was simulated using a ‘virtual powerplant’ simulation code with a zero-dimensional multizone combustion model. For the regeneration of the NSC the engine is required to work with lean/rich operation switches, which necessitates advanced engine management schemes for the fuelling, throttle and turbocharger wastegate. An optimization procedure, using the simulation model, resulted in a proposed schedule for the control of the various engine components involved in such engine operation.

Extending the Lean Limit of Natural Gas Engines

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Combustion Chamber ◽  
Lean Burn ◽  
Stratified Charge ◽  
Natural Gas Engines ◽  
Spark Plug ◽  
Charge Mixture ◽  
Cyclic Variations ◽  
Lean Limit ◽  
The Stability

Two different methods to improve the thermal efficiency and reduce the emissions from lean-burn natural gas fuelled engines have been developed, and are described in this paper. One method used a “squish-jet” combustion chamber designed specifically to enhance turbulence generation, while the second method provided a partially stratified-charge mixture near the spark plug in order to enhance the ignition of lean mixtures of natural gas and air. The squish-jet combustion chamber was found to reduce Bsfc by up to 4.8% in a Ricardo Hydra engine, while the NOx – efficiency tradeoff was greatly improved in a Cummins L-10 engine. The partially stratified-charge combustion system extended the lean limit of operation in the Ricardo Hydra by some 10%, resulting in a 64% reduction in NOx emissions at the lean limit of operation. Both techniques were also shown to be effective in increasing the stability of combustion, thereby reducing cyclic variations in cylinder pressure.

Modeling HPDI Natural Gas Heavy Duty Engine Combustion

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guowei Li ◽  
Tim Lennox ◽  
Dale Goudie ◽  
Mark Dunn
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Test Data ◽  
Direct Injection ◽  
Cfd Modeling ◽  
Combustion Model ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Prediction Errors ◽  
Engine Test ◽  
Gas Ignition ◽  
Ignition And Combustion

CFD Modeling of the injection, the mixing, the combustion and the emission formation processes in a high pressure direct injection (HPDI) natural gas engine is presented in this paper. KIVA3V was used together with an injector model. Two sub-models had been developed that the concurrent injection, ignition and combustion of natural gas and diesel could be simulated. The gas injection was simulated with the injector model. In the injector model, the electromagnetism, the hydraulics and the mechanics were computed by solving a set of ordinary differential equations. Based on the engine experimental data, a combustion model was built in which premixed combustion of natural gas was excluded and the natural gas ignition was initiated by the pilot diesel combustion rather than a spontaneous process. The model calibration and validation are discussed. The model parameters were tuned against one set of engine test data. For the model validation, 30 engine test data were applied. The data were from HPDI engine tests at varied engine speeds, loads and injection timings with and without EGR. The model gave good agreement with the engine tests having no EGR. However, the model, in general, under-predicted the burning rate. With EGR, the model prediction errors were large and the NOx were under-predicted, though the trends were still captured.

The Combustion and Performance of a Converted Direct Injection Compressed Natural Gas Engine using Spark Plug Fuel Injector

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taib Iskandar Mohamad ◽  
Ali Yusoff ◽  
Shahrir Abdullah ◽  
Mark Jermy ◽  
Matthew Harrison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Direct Injection ◽  
Fuel Injector ◽  
Compressed Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Engine ◽  
Natural Gas Engine ◽  
Spark Plug ◽  
And Performance

Effect of Injection Timing on Fuel-Air Mixing and Combustion in a Direct Injection Stratified Charge SI Engine

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Anand Kumar ◽  
J. M. Mallikarjuna ◽  
V. Ganesan
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Study ◽  
Direct Injection ◽  
Combustion Characteristics ◽  
Spark Ignition Engine ◽  
Injection Timing ◽  
Flame Surface ◽  
Si Engine ◽  
Stratified Charge ◽  
Spark Plug ◽  
Air Mixing

This paper describes a numerical study on fuel-air mixing and combustion in a direct injection stratified charge spark ignition engine. The in-cylinder flow, fuel-air mixing and combustion characteristics are investigated in a single cylinder, four-valve, four stoke, direct injection SI engine with pent-roof head and reverse tumble ports. The engine combustion chamber had the side mounted injector and spark plug at the center of pent-roof. Wall guided fuel-air mixing scheme has been adopted. The pre processor code Es-ice, used for dynamic grid generation preparation including description of piston and valve motion. Commercial computational fluid dynamics code Star-CD is used for solving governing equations and post processing of results. Combustion in the present study is simulated using Extended Coherent Flame Model-3z (ECFM-3Z). This model is based on a flame surface density transport equation that can describe inhomogeneous turbulent premixed combustion. In the present study, engine simulations has been carried out from 370 CAD before TDC and upto 90 CAD aTDC. The process includes the closing of the exhaust valves, the whole intake stroke, injection, combustion, and part of expansion. Three different injection timings are simulated viz. 55, 60 and 65 CAD bTDC. For validation of the code predicted results are compared with experimental results available in the literature. It is observed that, injection timing has an important role in mixture preparation and distribution around the spark plug. Hence, for the better combustion characteristics start of injection timing should be optimized.

Numerical Analysis of the Combustion Process in Dual-Fuel Engines With Direct Injection of Natural Gas

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Jud ◽  
Christoph Wieland ◽  
Georg Fink ◽  
Thomas Sattelmayer
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Direct Injection ◽  
Computing Time ◽  
Combustion Process ◽  
Gas Jet ◽  
Combustion Model ◽  
Dual Fuel ◽  
Detailed Chemistry ◽  
Geometric Configurations ◽  
Temperature Levels

An efficient computational fluid dynamics model for predicting high pressure dual-fuel combustion is one of the most essential steps in order to improve the concept, to reduce the number of experiments and to make the development process more coste-efficient. For Diesel and natural gas such a model developed by the authors is first used to analyze the combustion process with respect to turbulence chemistry interaction and to clarify the question whether the combustion process is limited by chemistry or the mixing process. On the basis of these findings a reduced reaction mechanism is developed in order to save up to 35% of computing time. The prediction capability of the modified combustion model is tested for different gas injection timings representing different degrees of premixing before ignition. Compared to experimental results from a rapid compression expansion machine, the shape of heat release rate, the ignition timing of the gas jet and the burnout are well predicted. Finally, misfiring observed at different geometric configurations in the experiment are analyzed with the model. It is identified that in these geometric configurations at low temperature levels the gas jet covers the preferred ignition region of the diesel jet. Since the model is based on the detailed chemistry approach, it can in future also be used for other fuel combinations or for predicting emissions.

Extending the Lean Limit of Natural-Gas Engines

2009 ◽  
Vol 131 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Combustion Chamber ◽  
Lean Burn ◽  
Stratified Charge ◽  
Natural Gas Engines ◽  
Spark Plug ◽  
Charge Mixture ◽  
Cyclic Variations ◽  
Lean Limit ◽  
The Stability

Two different methods to improve the thermal efficiency and reduce the emissions from lean-burn natural-gas fueled engines have been developed and are described in this paper. One method used a “squish-jet” combustion chamber designed specifically to enhance turbulence generation, while the second method provided a partially stratified-charge mixture near the spark plug in order to enhance the ignition of lean mixtures of natural gas and air. The squish-jet combustion chamber was found to reduce brake specific fuel consumption by up to 4.8% in a Ricardo Hydra engine, while the NOx efficiency trade-off was greatly improved in a Cummins L-10 engine. The partially stratified-charge combustion system extended the lean limit of operation in the Ricardo Hydra by some 10%, resulting in a 64% reduction in NOx emissions at the lean limit of operation. Both techniques were also shown to be effective in increasing the stability of combustion, thereby reducing cyclic variations in cylinder pressure.

A Numerical Investigation of Combustion and Mixture Formation in a Compressed Natural Gas DISI Engine With Centrally Mounted Single-Hole Injector

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Yadollahi ◽  
M. Boroomand
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Gasoline Engine ◽  
Direct Injection ◽  
Combustion Process ◽  
Spark Ignition ◽  
Computational Effort ◽  
Single Hole ◽  
Piston Head ◽  
Spark Plug

Direct injection of natural gas into the cylinder of spark ignition (SI) engines has shown a great potential to achieve the best fuel economy and reduced emission levels. Since the technology is rather new, in-cylinder flow phenomena have not been completely investigated. In this study, a numerical model has been developed in AVL FIRE software to perform an investigation of natural gas direct injection into the cylinder of spark ignition internal combustion engines. In this regard, two main parts have been taken into consideration aiming to convert a multipoint port fuel injection (MPFI) gasoline engine to a direct injection natural gas (NG) engine. In the first part of the study, multidimensional simulations of transient injection process, mixing, and flow field have been performed. Using the moving mesh capability, the validated model has been applied to methane injection into the cylinder of a direct injection engine. Five different piston head shapes have been taken into consideration in the investigations. An inwardly opening single-hole injector has been adapted to all cases. The injector location has been set to be centrally mounted. The effects of combustion chamber geometry have been studied on the mixing of air-fuel inside the cylinder via the quantitative and qualitative representation of results. In the second part, an investigation of the combustion process has been performed on the selected geometry. The spark plug location and ignition timing have been studied as two of the most important variables. Simulation of transient injection was found to be a challenging task because of required computational effort and numerical instabilities. Injection results showed that the narrow bowl piston head geometry is the most suited geometry for NG direct injection (DI) application. A near center position has been shown to be the best spark plug location based on the combustion studies. It has been shown that advanced ignitions timings of up to 50 degrees crank angle ( °CA) should be used in order to obtain better combustion performance.

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