scholarly journals Capturing Cyclic Variability in EGR Dilute SI Combustion Using Multi-Cycle RANS

Author(s):  
Riccardo Scarcelli ◽  
James Sevik ◽  
Thomas Wallner ◽  
Keith Richards ◽  
Eric Pomraning ◽  
...  

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 Reynold-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, multi-cycle 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 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 EGR dilute operation. The effect of the ignition characteristics on CCV is also evaluated. Results show not only that multi-cycle 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.

Author(s):  
Riccardo Scarcelli ◽  
James Sevik ◽  
Thomas Wallner ◽  
Keith Richards ◽  
Eric Pomraning ◽  
...  

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.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Joohan Kim ◽  
Vyaas Gururajan ◽  
Riccardo Scarcelli ◽  
Sayan Biswas ◽  
Isaac Ekoto

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.


Author(s):  
Riccardo Scarcelli ◽  
Nicholas S. Matthias ◽  
Thomas Wallner

This paper discusses the characteristics of EGR dilute GDI engines in terms of combustion stability. A combined approach consisting of RANS numerical simulations integrated with experimental engine testing is used to analyze the effect of the ignition source on flame propagation under dilute operating conditions. A programmable spark-based ignition system is compared to a production spark system in terms of cyclic variability and ultimately indicated efficiency. 3D-CFD simulations are carried out for multiple cycles with the goal of establishing correlations between the characteristics of the ignition system and flame propagation as well as cycle-to-cycle variations. Numerical results are compared to engine data in terms of in-cylinder pressure traces. The results show that an improved control over the energy released to the fluid surrounding the spark domain during the ignition process has beneficial effects on combustion stability. This allows extending the dilution tolerance for fuel/air mixtures. Although affected by cyclic variability, numerical results show good qualitative agreement with experimental data. The result is a simple but promising approach for relatively quick assessment of stability improvements from advanced and alternative ignition strategies.


Author(s):  
Jose Moreno ◽  
John Dodds ◽  
Mehdi Vahdati ◽  
Sina Stapelfeldt

Abstract Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations are employed for aerodynamic and aeroelastic modelling in axial compressors. Their solutions are highly dependent on the turbulence models for closure. The main objective of this work is to assess the widely used Spalart-Allmaras model’s suitability for compressor flows. For this purpose, an extensive investigation of the sources of uncertainties in a high-speed multi-stage compressor rig was carried out. The grid resolution near the casing end wall, which affects the tip leakage flow and casing boundary layer, was found to have a major effect on the stability limit prediction. Refinements in this region led to a stall margin loss prediction. It was found that this loss was exclusively due to the destruction term in the SA model.


2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 385-391
Author(s):  
Jörg Bergner ◽  
Dietmar K. Hennecke ◽  
Martin Hoeger ◽  
Karl Engel

For Darmstadt University of Technology's axial singlestage transonic compressor rig, a new three-dimensional aft-swept rotor was designed and manufactured at MTU Aero Engines in Munich, Germany. The application of carbon fiber–reinforced plastic made it possible to overcome structural constraints and therefore to further increase the amount of lean and sweep of the blade. The aim of the design was to improve the mechanical stability at operation that is close to stall.To avoid the hazard of rubbing at the blade tip, which is found especially at off-design operating conditions close to the stability limit of the compression system, aft-sweep was introduced together with excessive backward lean.This article reports an investigation of the impact of various amounts of lean on the aerodynamic behavior of the compressor stage on the basis of steady-state Navier-Stokes simulations. The results indicate that high backward lean promotes an undesirable redistribution of mass flow and gives rise to a basic change in the shock pattern, whereas a forward-leaning geometry results in the development of a highly back-swept shock front. However, the disadvantage is a decrease in shock strength and efficiency.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 6035
Author(s):  
Luigi Teodosio ◽  
Luca Marchitto ◽  
Cinzia Tornatore ◽  
Fabio Bozza ◽  
Gerardo Valentino

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.


Author(s):  
K. Dean Edwards ◽  
Robert M. Wagner ◽  
Timothy J. Theiss ◽  
C. Stuart Daw

Dilute operation of internal combustion engines through lean fueling and/or high levels of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is frequently employed to increase fuel efficiency, reduce NOx emissions, and promote enhanced combustion modes such as HCCI. The maximum level of dilution is limited by the development of combustion instabilities that produce unacceptable levels of cycle-to-cycle combustion variability. These combustion instabilities are frequently stimulated by the nonlinear feedback associated with the residual and recirculated exhaust gases exchanged between successive cycles. However, with the application of adaptive control, it is possible to limit the severity of the combustion variability and regain efficiency and emission reduction benefits that would otherwise be lost. In order to better characterize the benefits of adaptive control, we have employed a two-zone phenomenological combustion model to simulate the onset of combustion instabilities under dilute operating conditions and illustrate the impact of these instabilities on emissions and fuel efficiency. The two-zone in-cylinder combustion model is coupled to a WAVE engine-simulation code, allowing rapid simulation of several hundred successive engine cycles with many external engine parametric effects included. By applying adaptive feedback control to the WAVE model, we demonstrate how mitigation of the extreme combustion events can result in improved efficiency and reduced emissions levels. We expect that this approach can be used to estimate the potential benefits of implementing adaptive control strategies on specific engine platforms to achieve further efficiency and emission-reduction gains.


2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Moreno ◽  
John Dodds ◽  
Sina Stapelfeldt ◽  
Mehdi Vahdati

Abstract Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations are employed for aerodynamic and aeroelastic modeling in axial compressors. Their solutions are highly dependent on the turbulence models for closure. The main objective of this work is to assess the widely used Spalart–Allmaras model suitability for high-speed compressor flows. For this purpose, an extensive investigation of the sources of uncertainties in a high-speed multi-stage compressor rig was carried out. The grid resolution near the casing end wall, which affects the tip leakage flow and casing boundary layer, was found to have a major effect on the stability limit prediction. Refinements in this region led to a stall margin loss prediction. It was found that this loss was exclusively due to the destruction term in the SA model.


Author(s):  
Roque Corral ◽  
Juan Manuel Gallardo ◽  
Carlos Vasco

Part II of this paper compares the aerodynamic damping of a modern Low Pressure Turbine (LPT) interlock bladed-disc to the one obtained when the blades are welded in pairs through the lateral face of the shroud. The damping is computed using the linearized Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations on a moving grid. It is concluded that the increase in stability of the welded-pair with respect the cantilever configuration due to the modification of the mode-shapes, is smaller than the one due to the overall raise of the reduced frequencies of a bladed-disc with an interlock design. The modification of the flutter boundaries due to mistuning effects is taken into account using the reduced order model known as the Fundamental Mistuning Model (FMM). It is shown that the modification on the stability limit of a interlock bladed-disc is negligible, while for a welded-pair configuration an increase of 0.15% on the critical damping may be expected. Two realistic welded-pair bladed-discs are analysed in this work. It is shown that both are aerodynamically unstable, which is in agreement with the experimental observations. Critical reduced frequency stability maps accounting for mistuning effects are derived for both, freestanding and welded in pairs airfoils. The airfoils are assumed to be identical and mechanically uncoupled. The stabilizing effect of mistuning is also retained in these maps.


Author(s):  
Ronald Mailach ◽  
Konrad Vogeler

The stable operating range of axial compressors is limited by the onset of rotating stall and surge. These flow conditions endanger the reliability of operation and have definitely to be avoided in compressors of gas turbines. However, there is still a need to improve the physical understanding of these flow phenomena to prevent them while utilizing the maximum available working potential of the compressor. This paper discusses detailed experimental investigations of the rotating stall onset with the main emphasis on the aerodynamic blade excitation in the Dresden four-stage Low-Speed Research Compressor. The stall inception, which is triggered by modal waves, as well as the main flow features during rotating stall operation are discussed. To investigate the unsteady pressure distributions, both the rotor and the stator blades of the first stage were equipped with piezoresistive pressure transducers. Based on these measurements the unsteady blade pressure forces are calculated. Time-resolved results at the stability limit as well as during rotating stall are presented. For all operating conditions rotor-stator-interactions play an important role on the blade force excitation. Furthermore the role of the inertia driven momentum exchange at the stall cell boundaries on the aerodynamic blade force excitation is pointed out.


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