Challenging Conditions for Gasoline Particulate Filters (GPFs)

The emission limit of non-volatile particles (i.e., particles that do not evaporate at 350 °C) with size >23 nm, in combination with the real driving emissions (RDE) regulation in 2017, resulted in the introduction of gasoline particulate filters (GPFs) in all light-duty vehicles with gasoline direct injection engines in Europe. Even though there are studies that have examined the particulate emissions at or beyond the current RDE boundary conditions, there is a lack of studies combining most or all worst cases (i.e., conditions that increase the emissions). In this study, we challenged a fresh (i.e., no accumulation of soot or ash) “advanced” prototype GPF at different temperatures (down to −9 °C), aggressive drive cycles and hard accelerations (beyond the RDE limits), high payload (up to 90%), use of all auxiliaries (air conditioning, heating of the seats and the rear window), and cold starts independently or simultaneously. Under hot engine conditions, the increase of the particulate emissions due to higher payload and lower ambient temperature was 30–90%. The cold start at low ambient temperature, however, had an effect on the emissions of up to a factor of 20 for particles >23 nm or 300 when considering particles <23 nm. We proposed that the reason for these high emissions was the incomplete combustion and the low efficiency of the three-way oxidation catalyst. This resulted in a high concentration of species that were in the gaseous phase at the high temperature of the close-coupled GPF and thus could not be filtered by the GPF. As the exhaust gas cooled down, these precursor species formed particles that could not be evaporated at 350 °C (the temperature of the particle number system). These results highlight the importance of the proper calibration of the engine out emissions at all conditions, even when a GPF is installed.

Effects of lubricant-fuel mixing on particle emissions in a single cylinder direct injection spark ignition engine

Gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines emit less carbon dioxide (CO2) than port fuel injection (PFI) engines when fossil fuel conditions are the same. However, GDI engines emit more ultrafine particulate matter, which can have negative health effects, leading to particulate emission regulations. To satisfy these regulations, various studies have been done to reduce particulate matter, and several studies focused on lubricants. This study focuses on the influence of lubricant on the formation of particulate matter and its effect on particulate emissions in GDI engines. An instrumented, combustion and optical singe-cylinder GDI engine fueled by four different lubricant-gasoline blends was used with various injection conditions. Combustion experiments were used to determine combustion characteristics, and gaseous emissions indicated that the lubricant did not influence mixture homogeneity but had an impact on unburned fuels. Optical experiments showed that the lubricant did not influence spray but did influence wall film formation during the injection period, which is a major factor affecting particulate matter generation. Particulate emissions indicated that lubricant included in the wall film significantly affected PN emissions depending on injection conditions. Additionally, the wall film influenced by the lubricant affected the overall particle size and its distribution.

Effect of Intake Manifold Geometry on Cylinder-to-Cylinder Variation and Tumble Enhancement in Gasoline Direct Injection Engine

In order to improve the performance of the gasoline direct injection engine system, it is fundamentally important to reduce the cylinder-to-cylinder variation which affected by the intake manifold geometry. Furthermore, the early tumble development which influences the characteristics of the mixture as followed by the atomization and evaporation of the fuel, also greatly affects engine performance. Thus, in this study, the cylinder-to-cylinder variation in volumetric efficiency and tumble for two different type of intake manifold (curved type and straight type) was investigated using computational fluid dynamic program, CONVERE v2.4. And influence of the intake manifold curve radius to the early flow intensity and tumble development was analyzed. As a result, it was advantageous for cylinder-to-cylinder variation in the straight intake manifold compared to the curved intake manifold. When the intake manifold curve radius was increased in the straight intake manifold, it was effective in strengthening the early flow and tumble intensity. At 3000 rpm, the distance from the intake manifold inlet to the port also had an effect. Therefore, it is possible to improve the intake manifold performance by increasing the intake manifold curve radius and adapting turbocharging at engine speeds above 3000 rpm.

Experimental investigation of particle number reduction in turbocharged GDI engines

Introduction (problem statement and relevance). Now it is difficult to imagine the automotive industry without constant improvement of the power plant. This is due to the constant tightening of environmental standards, so in environmental standards Euro 6 there is a limit of the countable concentration of particulate matters. To meet the Euro 6 environmental standard, vehicle manufacturers use catalytic converters, and gasoline particle filters (GPF). These methods of reducing the emissions of the exhaust gas are quite common, but they also have a limitation on the service life. The use of only catalytic converters and GPF may not be sufficient to meet the Euro 7 standards in the future. So, there is a need to reduce emissions with exhaust gases by improving the combustion process.The purpose of work is to investigate the combustion process of a turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine to reduce particulate matter by increasing the injection pressure and optimizing the injection timing. Methodology and research methods. The studies are of an experimental nature, the reliability of the data is confirmed by the use of modern measuring equipment and post processing of the measured data. Scientific novelty and results. The fuel injection parameters, which have a significant influence on the particulate matter formation and oxidation are defined.Practical significance. The recommendations to reduce particulate matter formation and to meet the requirements of the future Euro standards are given.

Influence of Fuel System Variations on Performance and Emission Characteristics of Combined Air-Wall Guided Mode Modified GDI engine with Alcoholic Fuels and Exhaust Gas Recirculation

GDI engines commercially existed with spray guided mode where the fuel injector placed almost vertically and sprayed fuel is occupied throughout the volume of combustion chamber. With the advanced emission norms, NOx and Soot emissions control is the major task along with lower fuel consumption. To achieve the advanced emission norms, further modifications are required before or during combustion. Combined air-wall guided mode combustion chamber modification is the advanced stage required for further improvement in mixing and superior combustion. Air-wall combined mode involved piston crown shape modification so that the modified shape should impart turbulence effects and divert the fuel/mixture flow towards the spark plug tip to initiate the combustion process. In this study, the combined air-wall guided mode gasoline direct injection engine was tested with gasoline blends using Ethanol, Methanol and N-Butanol at 20, 35 and 50% proportions under specific fixed conditions: 1500 rpm speed, 10% EGR and FIP of 150 bars with three split injections at 320˚, 220˚ and 100˚ before TDC. Tests were conducted over these gasoline blend proportions for engine performance and emission characteristics and achieved beneficial results with E20 gasoline blend over the entire applied torque values.

EFFECT OF INLET AIR TEMPERATURE ON COMBUSTION, PERFORMANCE AND EMISSIONS OF GASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION (GDI) ENGINE FUELLED BY LPG FUEL

In the present work, the direct-injection petrol engine (GDI) combustion, emissions and performance at different engine speeds (1500, 2000, 2500 and 3000 rpm) with a constant throttle position have been studied. The fuel considered in this work is liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and gasoline. The software adopted in all simulations by the AVL BOOST 2016. A Hyundai 2.0 liter, 16 valves and 4 cylinders engine with a compression ratio 17.5:1 is used. The effect of several inlet air temperatures (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 oC) on the engine performance, combustion and emissions are also studied. The results show that the increase in the inlet air temperature leading to increase the peak fire temperature, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx). However, this process results in a reduction in the peak fire pressure, combustion period (duration), brake power and brake torque. The maximum fire temperature and maximum specific fuel consumption can be achieved when the engine speed is 3000 rpm and the inlet air temperature is 50 ºC.