A review of technical solutions for RCCI engines

Nowadays, internal combustion engines are being developed in the directions that allow to maximize the efficiency of their work, in order to make the most economical use of fuels. The low-temperature method of burning fuels in HCCI engines - Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition - allows to improve the efficiency of the engine, thanks to the reduction of energy lost during cobustion process. For the further development of engines with this type of mixture auto-ignition, with increasing the range of fuels used for that king of engines, it is necessary to develop the RCCI engines. Reactivity-Controlled Compression Ignition - RCCI - is the way to control the air-fuel mixture auto-ignition by using the injection of second fuel injected into the combustion chamber before the combustion begins. The development of modern compression ignition engines is strongly dependent on engines with this type of ignition. Using two fuels with different physicochemical properties makes it possible to control the time of compression ignition and allows to use engine in full range of operation. RCCI is a special type of HCCI engine that allows to use many types of fuels with high combustion efficiency and low emission of harmful exhaust components. The paper analyzes the issues related to the adoption and development of engines with this method of ignition.

Experimental Investigation of Direct Fuel Injection into Low-Oxygen Recompression Interval in a Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition Engine

This work analyzed measured data from a single-cylinder engine operated under gasoline direction injection homogenous charge compression ignition (GDI-HCCI) mode. The experiments were conducted at a 0.95 equivalence ratio (φ) under 0.5 MPa indicated mean effective pressure and 1500RPM. A side-mounted injector delivered primary reference fuel (octane number 90) into the combustion chamber during negative valve overlap (NVO). Advanced combustion phase CA50 were observed as a function of the start of injection (SOI) timings. Under φ=0.95, peak NVO in-cylinder pressures were lower than motoring for single and split injections, emphasizing that NVO reactions were endothermic. Zero-dimensional kinetics calculations showed classical reformate species (C3H6, C2H4, CH4) from the NVO rich mixture increased almost linearly due to SOI timings, while H2 and CO were typically low. These kinetically reformed species shortened predicted ignition delays. This work also analyzed the effects of intake pressure and single versus double pulses injections on CA50, burn duration, peak cylinder pressure, combustion noise, thermal efficiency, and emissions. Advanced SOI (single-injection) generated excessive combustion noise metrics over constraint limits, but the double-pulse injection could significantly reduce the metrics (Ringing Intensity ≤ 5 MW/m2, Maximum Pressure Rise Rate = 0.6 MPa/CA) and NOx emission. The engine's net indicated thermal efficiency reached 41% under GDI-HCCI mode against 36% under SI mode for the same operating conditions. Under GDI-HCCI mode and without spark-ignition, late fuel injection in the intake stroke could reduce NOx to a single digit.

NH3 as a Transport Fuel in Internal Combustion Engines: A Technical Review

Ammonia (NH3) is an excellent hydrogen (H2) carrier that is easy to bulk manufacture, handle, transport, and use. NH3 is itself combustible and could potentially become a clean transport fuel for direct use in internal combustion engines (ICEs). This technical review examines the current state of knowledge of NH3 as a fuel in ICEs on its own or in mixtures with other fuels. A particular case of interest is to partially dissociate NH3 in situ to produce an NH3/H2 mixture before injection into the engine cylinders. A key element of the present innovation, the presence of H2 is expected to allow easy control and enhanced performance of NH3 combustion. The key thermochemical properties of NH3 are collected and compared to those of conventional and alternative fuels. The basic combustion characteristics and properties of NH3 and its mixtures with H2 are summarized, providing a theoretical basis for evaluating NH3 combustion in ICEs. The combustion chemistry and kinetics of NH3 combustion and mechanisms of NOx formation and destruction are also discussed. The potential applications of NH3 in conventional ICEs and advanced homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines are analyzed.

Three Way Catalyst-Selective Catalytic Reduction Aftertreatment System Evaluation for a Lean Burn Gasoline Engine Operating in Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition, Spark-Assisted Compression Ignition, and Spark-Ignited Combustion Modes

Low temperature and dilute homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) and spark-assisted compression ignition (SACI) can improve fuel efficiency and reduce engine-out NOx emissions, especially during lean operation. However, under lean operation, these combustion modes are unable to achieve Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 3 emissions standards without the use of lean aftertreatment. The three way catalyst (TWC)-SCR lean aftertreatment concept investigated in this work uses periodic-rich operation to produce NH3 over a TWC to be stored on a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst for NOx conversion during subsequent lean operation. Experiments were performed with a modified 2.0 L gasoline engine that was cycled between lean HCCI and rich SACI operation and between lean and rich spark-ignited (SI) combustion to evaluate NOx conversion and fuel efficiency benefits. Different lambda values during rich operation and different times held in rich operation were investigated. Results are compared to a baseline case in which the engine is always operated at stoichiometric conditions. SCR system calculations are also presented to allow for comparisons of system performance for different levels of stored NH3. With the configuration used in this study, lean/rich HCCI/SACI operation resulted in a maximum NOx conversion efficiency of only 10%, while lean/rich SI operation resulted in a maximum NOx conversion efficiency of 60%. If the low conversion efficiency of HCCI/SACI operation could be improved through higher brick temperatures or additional SCR bricks, calculations indicate that TWC-SCR aftertreatment has the potential to provide attractive fuel efficiency benefits and near-zero tailpipe NOx. Calculated potential fuel efficiency improvement relative to stoichiometric SI is 7–17% for lean/rich HCCI/SACI with zero tailpipe NOx and −1 to 5% for lean/rich SI with zero tailpipe NOx emissions. Although the previous work indicated that the use of HCCI/SACI increases the time for NH3 to start forming over the TWC during rich operation, reduces NH3 production over the TWC per fuel amount, and increases NH3 slip over the SCR catalyst, if NOx conversion efficiency could be enhanced, improvements in fuel efficiency could be realized while meeting stringent tailpipe NOx standards.

Effect of Premixed Diesel Fumigation on Performance and Emissions Characteristics of Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition Engine

The effect of premixed diesel fumigation (PDF) on performance and emissions characteristics of Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engine and optimisation of the diesel fumigation temperature are prime focus of this study. The experimental investigations were carried on single cylinder, four stroke, water cooled, port injected Kirloskar SV1 engine. For this research, the engine was modified as HCCI engine with electric air heater, fixed at suction pipe. During the experimental investigation the diesel fuel was premixed by the port injector and vaporised or fumigated the fuel by heated suction air. After heating process, the diesel has changed its phase and mixed with air and form partially homogenous mixture. During the test, the engine was operated with different diesel fumigation temperature from 100C to 150C in steps of 10C and observed the performance and emissions characteristics of the engine. The effective diesel fumigation temperature for creating better homogeneous charge is identified. The diesel fumigation made huge impact on NOx and smoke formation. The level of NOx and smoke emissions were decreased simultaneously as 10% and 16% compared to compression ignition (CI) engine. At the same time, the HCCI engine has emitted high CO and HC emissions at low fumigation temperatures and they were reduced at high fumigation temperatures, because of improved combustion. The suction air temperatures of 120C and 130C for the HCCI engine registered low NOx and smoke emissions. From the performance point of view, the HCCI engine consumed much more fuel due to low volumetric efficiency and slightly affected the brake thermal efficiency.