Large-Eddy Simulation of Laser-Ignited Direct Injection Gasoline Spray for Emission Control

Large-Eddy Simulations (LES) of a gasoline spray, where the mixture was ignited rapidly during or after injection, were performed in comparison to a previous experimental study with quantitative flame motion and soot formation data [SAE 2020-01-0291] and an accompanying Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulation at the same conditions. The present study reveals major shortcomings in common RANS combustion modeling practices that are significantly improved using LES at the conditions of the study, specifically for the phenomenon of rapid ignition in the highly turbulent, stratified mixture. At different ignition timings, benchmarks for the study include spray mixing and evaporation, flame propagation after ignition, and soot formation in rich mixtures. A comparison of the simulations and the experiments showed that the LES with Dynamic Structure turbulence were able to capture correctly the liquid penetration length, and to some extent, spray collapse demonstrated in the experiments. For early and intermediate ignition timings, the LES showed excellent agreement to the measurements in terms of flame structure, extent of flame penetration, and heat-release rate. However, RANS simulations (employing the common G-equation or well-stirred reactor) showed much too rapid flame spread and heat release, with connections to the predicted turbulent kinetic energy. With confidence in the LES for predicted mixture and flame motion, the predicted soot formation/oxidation was also compared to the experiments. The soot location was well captured in the LES, but the soot mass was largely underestimated using the empirical Hiroyasu model. An analysis of the predicted fuel–air mixture was used to explain different flame propagation speeds and soot production tendencies when varying ignition timing.

Physical modeling of sand columns application in recharge reservoir to prevent seawater intrusion

This study aims to provide visual evidence by the physical simulation to demonstrate the sand column performance of a recharge reservoir to control seawater encroachment and confirm some previous studies. In this analysis, a two-dimensional sand tank illustrates the sand column's role in overcoming seawater intrusion. Besides using dyes, the sand tank is also fitted with sensors to observe the length of seawater penetration. Furthermore, the simulation using SEAWAT numerical modeling is used as a reference in this analysis. The criteria analyzed were the number of sand columns, the reservoir water level, and the isochlors concentration. The results revealed a reasonably close match between physical and computational modeling. It was also found that the more sand columns and the higher the reservoir water level, resulted in the decrease of seawater penetration length that occurred. Physical and computational modeling findings indicated that the optimal results are derived using three sand columns with an RMSE value of 0.76. The seawater infiltration length decreased to 84.72% relative to sand column-free conditions at a reservoir water level of 15.0 cm.

Numerical investigation of soot emission sources in a direct-injection spark-ignition engine based on comprehensive breakup model validation

Direct injection system is widely adopted in spark-ignition engines to achieve higher thermal efficiency, but it accompanies a penalty in particulate emission, especially when engine is not fully warmed-up. Split injection strategy is known to be an effective measure to reduce engine-out particulate emissions. To better understand the role of split injections, this study aims to analyze the effect of split injection strategy on the sources of soot formation using computational fluid dynamics simulation. To accurately predict changes in particulate mass and number associated with split injection strategy, it is vital that spray models be carefully validated against the experimental data since spray dynamics govern the formation of soot emission sources, such as local fuel-rich mixtures and wall-deposited fuel-films. To this end, a set of spray experiments for free sprays is performed to measure liquid penetration length and droplet size distribution, and hence a comprehensive validation is conducted for spray breakup models. Then, engine simulations are carried out to predict the change in soot sources according to split injection, and the trend of simulation results is compared against the measured engine-out particulate mass and number. Simulation results indicate that breakup model validation using both penetration length and droplet size data is critical for predicting fuel spray dynamics and formation of sources of soot emission. It is also revealed that the piston wetting decreases as the number of injections increases because less amount of fuel is injected when piston is closer to the injector. Lastly, the late evaporation of heavy gasoline components from fuel-film appears to be a significant contributor to soot precursors formation.

An Evaluation on Sealing Ability of Calcium Silicate-Based Cements and Glass Ionomer Cement as Perforation Repair Materials

Aims: The study evaluated the sealing ability of Biodentine, MTA Repair HP, and Glass ionomer cement as perforation repair materials by using a Stereomicroscopic analysis. Study Design: Experimental in vitro study Methodology: The access cavity was prepared on 45 samples of maxillary and mandibular teeth with a perforation of the standardized diameter of a No. 2 round bur at the bottom of the pulp chamber. All 45 samples were divided into three different experimental groups of 15 samples each. Group A (n=15), Group B (n=15) and Group C (n=15). The furcation repairs of the samples in groups A, B and C were carried out using Biodentine, MTA Repair HP and glass ionomer cement respectively. All sealed furcation perforation samples were stored at room temperature for 24 hours. Two layers of nail varnish were coated on all the surfaces to avoid dye penetration except for 2 mm around the area of the perforation site. After complete drying, all specimens were separately soaked in 2% methylene blue solution for 48 hours, cleaned with water and dried for 24 hours. They were sectioned buccolingually. The perforation wall of the sectioned sample with the greatest dye penetration was selected for microleakage analysis. Results: The collected data from the three experimental groups were subjected to statistical analysis using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test for multiple comparisons of mean differences in dye penetration. The Biodentine group had the significantly lowest dye penetration length compared with the MTA Repair HP and glass ionomer cement groups (P<0.001). Conclusion: Biodentine showed better sealing ability as a repair material for furcation perforations compared to the other two materials.

d2 Law and Penetration Length of Jatropha and Camelina Bio-Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene Spray Characteristics at Take-Off, Top of Climb and Cruise

A comparison of d2 law and penetration length of biofuels with Jet–A through the incorporation of fuel properties and actual combustor inlet data at various flight trajectories is presented. This study aims to identify fuel properties and flight operating conditions that most influence droplet characteristics accurately. The study comprises two phases involving a simulation using GSP to predict combustor inlet data for the respective flight operating conditions and a simulation using ANSYS Fluent V18.1 to obtain combustion characteristics of biofuels and Jet–A . The biofuels chosen in this study are Jatropha Bio-synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (JSPK) and Camelina Bio-synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (CSPK), evaluated as pure (100%) and blend (50%) with Jet–A. Thrust specific fuel consumption (TSFC) of biofuels is improved due to lower fuel consumed by the engine. The d2 law curve shows a heat-up period that takes place at the early stage of the combustion process. The penetration length of the fuels is shorter at take-off. Combusting biofuels reduce combustion temperature and the penetration length of the droplet.

Optimization Study of Guide Vanes for the Intake Fan-Duct Connection Using CFD

The connection between an intake fan and a ventilation shaft must be designed in such a way that it minimizes the energy waste due to singularity losses. As a result, the questions of which radius of curvature to use and if guide vanes have to be included need to be answered. In that case, the variables such as the number, upstream and downstream penetration length, radius of curvature, and width of the vanes, need to be defined. Although this work is oriented to mine ventilation, these questions are usually valid in other engineering applications as well. The objective of this study is to define the previously mentioned variables to determine the optimal design combination for the radius/diameter relationship (r/D). Computational fluid dynamics was used to determine the shock loss factor of seven elbow curvature ratios for a 3 m diameter duct and fan, with and without guide vanes to estimate the best performing configuration and, therefore, to maximize the fan airflow volume. The methodology used consisted of initially developing models in 2D geometries, to optimize the meshing and the CPU use, and studying separately the number of vanes, upstream and downstream penetration, radius of curvature, and width of the vanes for each curvature ratio (r/D). Then, the best-performing variable combinations for each curvature ratio were selected to be simulated and studied with the 3D geometries. The application of the guide vane designs for three-dimensional simulated geometries is presented, first without and then with guide vanes, including the shock loss factors obtained. The methodology and obtained results allowed quantifying the energy savings and to reduce the CFD simulations steps required to optimize the design of the elbow and guide vanes. The results obtained cannot be used with elbows in exhaust fans, because fluid dynamics phenomena are different.

Effect of Surface Properties on the Photo-Induced Crawling Motion of Azobenzene Crystals on Glass Surfaces

Photo-induced crawling motion of a crystal of 3,3′-dimethylazobenzene (DMAB) on a glass substrate having different surface properties was studied. When exposed to UV and visible lights simultaneously from different directions, crystals crawl continuously on a glass surface. On a hydrophilic surface, the crystals crawled faster than those on other surfaces but crystals showed spreading while they moved. On hydrophobic surfaces, on the other hand, the crystals showed little shape change and slower crawling motion. The contact angles of the liquid phase of DMAB on surface-modified glass substrates showed positive correlation with the water contact angles. The interaction of melted azobenzene with glass surfaces plays an important role for the crawling motion. We proposed models to explain the asymmetric condition that leads to the directional motion. Specifically by considering the penetration length of UV and visible light sources, it was successfully shown that the depth of light penetration is different at the position of a crystal. This creates a nonequilibrium condition where melting and crystallization are predominant in the same crystal.

First Study on Ammonia Spray Characteristics with a Current GDI Engine Injector

Using carbon free energy sources is one of the keys to mitigate climate change. Hydrogen promises to be one of these carbon free energies, but its storage is difficult and expensive. Ammonia, however, is interesting as it can store hydrogen safely and can be used in combustion engines instead of hydrocarbon fuels. In this experimental work, the spray characteristics of ammonia under different air densities and temperatures were investigated in constant volume and were compared to a biofuel, ethanol, and a common fuel, gasoline. The Schlieren technique was used to capture images of liquid and liquid + vapor spray. The penetration length, the angle near the injector and the angle at half-penetration length were measured. The results show that the spray geometry of ammonia differs from that of the other fuels and that its sensitivity to air density and temperature is greater. The flash boiling condition at ambient temperature was explored for ammonia and indicated a wider spray at half-penetration length at phase change. Moreover, a semi-empirical correlation for penetration length as a function of physical parameters was found with a high accuracy for the global spray. These experimental data provide the first information about ammonia injection with a current spark-ignition GDI injector.

Experimental Research on the Process Parameters of a Novel Low-Load Drill Bit Used for 7000 m Bedrock Sampling Base on Manned Submersible

Due to the need for accurate exploration of deep-sea scientific research, drilling techniques by combining the operational advantages of the Jiaolong manned submersible is considered one of the most feasible methods for deep-sea bedrock drilling. Based on deep sea bedrock cutting model and discrete element simulation, as well as efficient drilling as the design criterion, the development of a deep sea 7000 m electromechanical coring apparatus was carried out. The outstanding feature of this technology is that the bit load produced by the drill pressure is usually within the range 100–400 N while the recommended load for diamond drilling is 1–3 KN or even more. Therefore, searching for the drilling bits that can drill in extremely hard formations with minimal load and acceptable rates of penetration and rotary speed is the necessary step to prove the feasibility of electromechanical deep-sea drilling technology. A test has been designed and constructed to examine three types of drill bits. The results of experiments show that the new low-load polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit has the highest penetration length of 138 mm/15 min under a 300 N load and 250 rpm rotary speed. Finally, field tests with the Jiaolong submersible were used to conduct deep sea experiments and verify the load model, which provides theoretical and technical data on the use of a low-load core sampling drill developed specifically for a deep sea submersible.