Effect of spark ignition location on the turbulent jet ignition characteristics in a lean burning natural gas engine

The Turbulent Jet Ignition is an effective concept to achieve stable lean burning for natural gas engines due to the multiple ignition sources, high ignition energy, and fast combustion rate. A variation of the ignition location has a non-negligible effect on the ignition performance of the TJI system. The present work aims to provide more details on this effect by numerical simulations. Both factors of the additional fuel supply to the pre-chamber and the in-cylinder flow field are taken into consideration in this study. A numerical model is built based on a lean burning natural gas engine and validated by experimental results. Five different spark ignition sources are equally arranged on the vertical axis of the pre-chamber, with different distances from the connecting orifices. Simulations are carried out under the same initial and boundary conditions except for the location of the ignition source. Combustion pressure, in-cylinder flow field, fuel mass fraction distribution, and heat release rate are analyzed to study the in-cylinder ignition and combustion process. The results show that a rotational flow and a non-uniform fuel distribution are formed in the pre-chamber during the compression stroke. The turbulent jet characteristics are significantly influenced by the coupling of two factors: the combustion rate inside the pre-chamber as well as the flame propagation distance from the ignition source to the connecting orifices. Rapid combustion rate and shorter flame propagation distance both lead to the earlier ejection of cold jets and hot jets. Among five ignition sources, the one located closest to the connecting orifices generates earlier hot jets with the highest mean velocity. The jets are more effective to ignite the lean mixture and could decrease the combustion duration of the main chamber.

Improving the energy efficiency of a 6ChN13/15 gas engine with a Miller cycle by optimizing the valve timing

Introduction (problem statement and relevance). The object of research in this work is an inline six-cylinder gas engine 6ChN13/15 with a Miller thermodynamic cycle. On the basis of its computer model studies minimization of the specific effective fuel consumption has been reached due to variation study of gas distribution and air supply systems parameters.The purpose of the study was to investigate the parameters regulation effect of gas distribution and air supply systems on the performance of a 6ChN13/15 gas engine with a Miller cycle on the external speed characteristic basing on numerical modeling.Methodology and research methods. The research was carried out by the method of computer simulation. Numerical modeling was made on the basis of data obtained during a full-scale experiment of a 6ChN13/15 gas engine with Miller thermodynamic cycle.Scientific novelty and results. A comparative analysis of a gas engine optimization results has been carried out. The results obtained will be used to create a gas engine and its further optimization by controlling the working process and the air supply system.Practical significance. The results obtained may be of interest to truck car manufacturers and engine specialists.