In-Cylinder Pressure-Based Control of Premixed Dual-Fuel Combustion

[ES] La actual crisis climática ha instado a la comunidad investigadora y a los fabricantes a brindar soluciones para hacer que el sector del transporte sea más sostenible. De entre las diversas tecnologías propuestas, la combustión a baja temperatura ha sido objeto de una extensa investigación. La combustión premezclada dual-fuel es uno de los conceptos que abordan el compromiso de NOx-hollín en motores de encendido por compresión manteniendo alta eficiencia térmica. Esta combustión hace uso de dos combustibles con diferentes reactividades para mejorar la controlabilidad de este modo de combustión en un amplio rango de funcionamiento. De manera similar a todos los modos de combustión premezclados, esta combustión es sensible a las condiciones de operación y suele estar sujeta a variabilidad cíclica con gradientes de presión significativos. En consecuencia, se requieren estrategias de control avanzadas para garantizar un funcionamiento seguro y preciso del motor. El control en bucle cerrado es una herramienta eficaz para abordar los desafíos que plantea la combustión premezclada dual-fuel. En este tipo de control, para mantener el funcionamiento deseado, las acciones de control se adaptan y corrigen a partir de una retroalimentación con las señales de salida del motor. Esta tesis presenta estrategias de control basadas en la medición de la señal de presión en el cilindro, aplicadas a motores de combustión premezclada dual-fuel. En ella se resuelven diversos aspectos del funcionamiento del motor mediante el diseño de controladores dedicados, haciéndose especial énfasis en analizar e implementar estas soluciones a los diferentes niveles de estratificación de mezcla considerados en estos motores (es decir, totalmente, altamente y parcialmente premezclada). Inicialmente, se diseñan estrategias de control basadas en el procesamiento de la señal de presión en el cilindro y se seleccionan acciones proporcionales-integrales para asegurar el rendimiento deseado del motor sin exceder las limitaciones mecánicas del motor. También se evalúa la técnica extremum seeking para realizar una supervisión de una combustión eficiente y la reducción de emisiones de NOx. Luego se analiza la resonancia de la presión en el cilindro y se implementa un controlador similar a aquel usado para el control de knock para garantizar el funcionamiento seguro del motor. Finalmente, se utilizan modelos matemáticos para diseñar un modelo orientado a control y un observador que tiene como objetivo combinar las señales medidas en el motor para mejorar las capacidades de predicción y diagnóstico en dicha configuración de motor. Los resultados de este trabajo destacan la importancia de considerar el control en bucle cerrado para abordar las limitaciones encontradas en los modos de combustión premezclada. En particular, el uso de la medición de presión en el cilindro muestra la relevancia y el potencial de esta señal para desarrollar estrategias de control complejas y precisas.[CA] L'actual crisi climàtica ha instat a la comunitat investigadora i als fabricants a brindar solucions per a fer que el sector del transport siga més sostenible. D'entre les diverses tecnologies proposades, la combustió a baixa temperatura ha sigut objecte d'una extensa investigació. La combustió premesclada dual-fuel és un dels conceptes que aborden el compromís de NOx-sutge en motors d'encesa per compressió mantenint alta eficiència tèrmica. Aquesta combustió fa ús de dos combustibles amb diferents reactivitats per a millorar la controlabilitat d'aquest tipus de combustió en un ampli rang de funcionament. De manera similar a tots els tipus de combustió premesclada, aquesta combustió és sensible a les condicions d'operació i sol estar subjecta a variabilitat cíclica amb gradients de pressió significatius. En conseqüència, es requereixen estratègies de control avançades per a garantir un funcionament segur i precís del motor. El control en bucle tancat és una eina eficaç per a abordar els desafiaments que planteja la combustió premesclada dual-fuel. En aquesta mena de control, per a mantindre el funcionament desitjat, les accions de control s'adapten i corregeixen a partir d'una retroalimentació amb els senyals d'eixida del motor. Aquesta tesi presenta estratègies de control basades en el mesurament del senyal de pressió en el cilindre, aplicades a motors de combustió premesclada dual-fuel. En ella es resolen diversos aspectes del funcionament del motor mitjançant el disseny de controladors dedicats, fent-se especial èmfasi a analitzar i implementar aquestes solucions als diferents nivells d'estratificació de mescla considerats en aquests motors (és a dir, totalment, altament i parcialment premesclada). Inicialment, es dissenyen estratègies de control basades en el processament del senyal de pressió en el cilindre i se seleccionen accions proporcionals-integrals per a assegurar el rendiment desitjat del motor sense excedir les limitacions mecàniques del motor. També s'avalua la tècnica extremum seeking per a realitzar una supervisió d'una combustió eficient i la reducció d'emissions de NOx. Després s'analitza la ressonància de la pressió en el cilindre i s'implementa un controlador similar a aquell usat per al control de knock per a garantir el funcionament segur del motor. Finalment, s'utilitzen models matemàtics per a dissenyar un model orientat a control i un observador que té com a objectiu combinar els senyals mesurats en el motor per a millorar les capacitats de predicció i diagnòstic en aquesta configuració de motor. Els resultats d'aquest treball destaquen la importància de considerar el control en bucle tancat per a abordar les limitacions trobades en la combustió premesclada. En particular, l'ús del mesurament de pressió en el cilindre mostra la rellevància i el potencial d'aquest senyal per a desenvolupar estratègies de control complexes i precises.[EN] The current climate crisis has urged the research community and manufacturers to provide solutions to make the transportation sector cleaner. Among the various technologies proposed, low temperature combustion has undergone extensive investigation. Premixed dual-fuel combustion is one of the concepts addressing the NOx-soot trade-off in compression ignited engines, while maintaining high thermal efficiency. This combustion makes use of two fuels with different reactivities in order to improve the controllability of this combustion mode over a wide range of operation. Similarly to all premixed combustion modes, this combustion is nevertheless sensitive to the operating conditions and traditionally exhibits cycle-to-cycle variability with significant pressure gradients. Consequently, advanced control strategies to ensure a safe and accurate operation of the engine are required. Feedback control is a powerful approach to address the challenges raised by the premixed dual-fuel combustion. By measuring the output signals from the engine, strategies can be developed to adapt and correct the control actions to maintain the desired operation. This thesis presents control strategies, based on the in-cylinder pressure signal measurement, applied to premixed dual-fuel combustion engines. Various objectives were addressed by designing dedicated controllers, where a special emphasis was made towards analyzing and implementing these solutions to the different levels of mixture stratification considered in these engines (i.e., fully, highly and partially premixed). At first, feedback control strategies based on the in-cylinder pressure signal processing were designed. Proportional-integral actions were selected to ensure the desired engine performance without exceeding the mechanical constraints of the engine. Extremum seeking was evaluated to track efficient combustion phasing and NOx emissions reduction. The in-cylinder pressure resonance was then analyzed and a knock-like controller was implemented to ensure safe operation of the engine. Finally, mathematical models were used to design a control-oriented model and a state observer that aimed to leverage the signals measured in the engine to improve the prediction and diagnostic capabilities in such engine configuration. The results from this work highlighted the importance of considering feedback control to address the limitations encountered in premixed combustion modes. Particularly, the use of the in-cylinder pressure measurement showed the relevance and potential of this signal to develop complex and accurate control strategies.This thesis was financially supported by the Programa Operativo del Fondo Social Europeo (FSE) de la Comunitat Valenciana 2014-2020 through grant ACIF/2018/141.Barbier, ARS. (2022). In-Cylinder Pressure-Based Control of Premixed Dual-Fuel Combustion [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/18327

Diesel Engine

Diesel engines, also known as CI engines, possess a wide field of applications as energy converters because of their higher efficiency. However, diesel engines are a major source of NOX and particulate matter (PM) emissions. Because of its importance, five chapters in this book have been devoted to the formulation and control of these pollutants. The world is currently experiencing an oil crisis. Gaseous fuels like natural gas, pure hydrogen gas, biomass-based and coke-based syngas can be considered as alternative fuels for diesel engines. Their combustion and exhaust emissions characteristics are described in this book. Reliable early detection of malfunction and failure of any parts in diesel engines can save the engine from failing completely and save high repair cost. Tools are discussed in this book to detect common failure modes of diesel engine that can detect early signs of failure

Advanced Diagnostics, Control and Testing of Diesel Low Temperature Combustion

The conventional high temperature diesel combustion is constrained by the classical NOx-soot trade-off, so that any technique to reduce one emission generally increases the other. The simultaneous low NOx and soot can be achieved by lowering the combustion temperature and by preparing a cylinder charge of high homogeneity. However, the lowered combustion temperature may significantly reduce the fuel efficiency of such combustion cycles. Therefore, the overall objective of this work was to conduct a detailed analysis of the diesel LTC cycles that result in simultaneous low NOx and low soot, and to improve the LTC performance through advanced diagnostics and combustion control strategies. The empirical and analytical analyses in this dissertation provide an in-depth understanding of diesel LTC and present an effective strategy for navigating the narrow LTC corridors. The in-cylinder gas sampling tests culminated with the identification of an LTC NOx mechanism whereby the NOx reduction in the presence of combustibles was quantified on a crank angle-resolved basis. The intake gas treatment through catalytic oxidation and fuel reforming of EGR stabilized the LTC cycles. Novel flow management strategies were applied to improve the thermal response and the energy efficiency of the reforming operation. Adaptive combustion control techniques were developed to improve the fuel efficiency of the LTC cycles and to enable navigation within the narrow LTC corridors. A computationally efficient `Pressure Departure Ratio\u27 algorithm for estimating the combustion phasing in real-time was proposed along with a methodology for engine load management within-the-same-cycle, and were shown to improve the LTC operational stability. The detailed EGR analysis helped to develop a systematic LTC control strategy by quantifying the effects of intake charge dilution and boost pressure on the LTC performance metrics. Based on the empirical and analytical analyses, the load management and efficiency improvements of the LTC cycles were demonstrated with three different fuelling strategies as follows: (1) Single-injection LTC with heavy EGR at low loads, (2) Multi-shot LTC (early HCCI) with moderate EGR for mid-load operation, and (3) Split burning LTC for higher engine loads with DPF-tolerant soot

Model Predictive Control of Modern High-Degree-of-Freedom Turbocharged Spark Ignited Engines with External Cooled EGR

The efficiency of modern downsized SI engines has been significantly improved using cooled Low-Pressure Exhaust Gas Recirculation, Turbocharging and Variable Valve Timing actuation. Control of these sub-systems is challenging due to their inter-dependence and the increased number of actuators associated with engine control. Much research has been done on developing algorithms which improve the transient turbocharged engine response without affecting fuel-economy. With the addition of newer technologies like external cooled EGR the control complexity has increased exponentially. This research proposes a methodology to evaluate the ability of a Model Predictive Controller to coordinate engine and air-path actuators simultaneously. A semi-physical engine model has been developed and analyzed for non-linearity. The computational burden of implementing this control law has been addressed by utilizing a semi-physical engine system model and basic analytical differentiation. The resulting linearization process requires less than 10% of the time required for widely used numerical linearization approach. Based on this approach a Nonlinear MPC-Quadratic Program has been formulated and solved with preliminary validation applied to a 1D Engine model followed by implementation on an experimental rapid prototyping control system. The MPC based control demonstrates the ability to co-ordinate different engine and air-path actuators simultaneously for torque-tracking with minimal constraint violation. Avenues for further improvement have been identified and discussed

In-cylinder pressure resonance analysis for trapped mass estimation in automotive engines

This thesis presents a new application for in-cylinder pressure sensors in internal combustion engines. The new method takes profit of the high-frequency content of the in-cylinder pressure signal to determine the speed of sound evolution during the expansion stroke and combines this estimation with the low-frequency content of the pressure signal and a volume estimation to obtain a measurement of the trapped mass. The new method is based on the studies of the resonance phenomenon in pent-roof combustion chambers and proposes three calibration procedures to determine the resonant frequency evolution when bowl-in-piston geometries are considered. The Fourier transform has been modified in order to include harmonics with frequency variations, which allows a rapid identification of the resonant modes with no need of time-frequency analysis, e.g. STFT or WD. The main limitation of the method resides in the resonance excitation, which may be insufficient in low-load conditions, such as idle. An observer is presented to overcome that problem. The observer takes into account the dynamics of the sensors, the dynamics at the intake manifold, and combines current flow sensors with intermittent measurements, such as the trapped mass obtained by the resonance method, to provide the system with accurate and robust measurements of the trapped mass, the EGR, and the composition at the exhaust. The trapped mass obtained by the resonance method has been compared with auxiliary methods in various experimental facilities: in a SI engine, where no EGR exist, the differences founded were below 1%, in a conventional CI light-duty engine the average of the differences over 808 operating conditions accounted for a 2.64 %, in a research heavy-duty RCCI engine, with EGR, port fuel gasoline, and direct diesel injections, the average difference was 2.17 %, and in a research two-strokes single cylinder engine, where significant short-circuit and residual gases exist, the differences founded were 4.36 %. In all the studied cases the differences founded with the reference estimation can be attributed to the auxiliary method employed and its expected error. In order to demonstrate the potential of the resonance method four applications for control and diagnosis of internal combustion engines have been proposed: the estimation of residuals in engines with NVO, the prediction of knock in SI engines, the estimation of the exhaust gases temperature, and a NOx model for CI engines. In the four applications the method was compared with current methodologies and with additional sensors, demonstrating the improvement in accuracy and a cycle-to-cycle resolution.Esta tesis presenta una nueva aplicación para los sensores de presión en cámara. El nuevo método utiliza el contenido de alta frecuencia de la señal de presión en cámara para estimar la evolución de la velocidad del sonido durante la expansión de los gases de escape y combina esta estimación con el contenido de baja frecuencia de la presión en cámara y el volumen instantáneo de la cámara para obtener una medida de la masa atrapada. El nuevo método está basado en los estudios de la resonancia en cámaras de combustión cilíndricas y propone tres procedimientos de calibración para estimar la evolución de la frecuencia de resonancia en cámaras de combustión con bowl. La transformada de Fourier ha sido modificada para considerar harmónicos con frecuencias que varían en el tiempo, lo que permite una rápida identificación de los modos de resonancia sin necesidad de utilizar un análisis en tiempo frecuencia, como por ejemplo STFT o WD. La principal limitación del método es la necesidad de excitación suficiente de la resonancia, que puede impedir su uso en condiciones de baja carga como el ralentí. Para solventar este problema se ha diseñado un observador. El observador incluye las dinámicas de los sensores, las dinámicas del colector de admisión, y combina los sensores actuales de flujo con medidas intermitentes (como la medida ofrecida por el nuevo método de la resonancia) para obtener medidas de la masa atrapada, del EGR y de la composición en el escape precisas y robustas. La medida de la masa atrapada obtenida por el método de la resonancia ha sido comparado con métodos auxiliares en diferentes instalaciones experimentales: en un motor SI, sin EGR, las diferencias con los sensores eran menores del 1%, en un motor convencional CI la media de las diferencias sobre 808 puntos de operación distintos ha sido de 2.64 %, en un motor de investigación con EGR, con inyección gasolina en el colector e inyección directa de diesel, las diferencias fueron de 2.17 %, y en un motor de investigación de dos tiempos, donde existían grandes cantidades de corto-circuito y gases residuales, las diferencias fueron de 4.36 %. En todos los casos estudiados las diferencias encontradas pueden ser atribuidas a los errores que caracterizan los métodos auxiliares utilizados para obtener la medida de referencia. Finalmente, para demostrar el potencial del método se han desarrollado cuatro aplicaciones para control y diagnóstico de motores de combustión interna alternativos: la estimación de gases residuales en motores con NVO, la predicción de knock en motores SI, la estimación de la temperatura de los gases de escape, y un modelo de NOx para motores CI. En las cuatro aplicaciones el método ha sido comparado con los sistemas de medidas actuales y con sensores adicionales, demostrando mejoras importantes en la precisión de la medida y una resolución de un solo ciclo.Aquesta tesi presenta una nova aplicació per als sensors de pressió en cambra. El nou mètode utilitza el contingut d'alta freqüència del senyal de pressió en cambra per estimar l'evolució de la velocitat del so durant l'expansió dels gasos d'eixida i combina aquesta estimació amb el contingut de baixa freqüència de la pressió en cambra i el volum instantani de la cambra per obtenir una mesura de la massa atrapada. El nou mètode està desenvolupat dels estudis de la ressonància en cambres de combustió cilíndriques i proposa tres procediments de calibratge per estimar l'evolució de la freqüència de ressonància en cambres de combustió amb bowl. La transformada de Fourier ha sigut modificada per considerar harmònics amb freqüències que varien en el temps, el que permet una ràpida identificació dels modes de ressonància sense necessitat d'utilitzar una anàlisi en temps-freqüència, com per exemple la STFT o la WD. La principal limitació del mètode és la necessitat d'excitació suficient de la ressonància, que pot impedir el seu ús en condicions de baixa càrrega, com al ralentí. Per solucionar aquest problema s'ha desenvolupat un observador. L'observador inclou les dinàmiques dels sensors, les dinàmiques del col·lector d'admissió, i combina els sensors actuals de flux amb mesures intermitents (com l'obtinguda pel nou mètode de la ressonància) per obtenir mesures de la massa atrapada, del EGR i de la composició d'eixida precises i robustes. La mesura de la massa atrapada obtinguda pel mètode de la ressonància ha sigut comparada en mètodes auxiliars en diferents instal·lacions experimentals: a un motor SI, sense EGR, les diferencies amb els sensors estaven per davall de l'1 %, a un motor convencional CI la mitja de les diferències sobre 808 punts d'operació diferents ha sigut de 2.64 %, a un motor d'investigació, en EGR, en injecció gasolina en el col·lector i injecció directa de dièsel, les diferències van ser de 2.17 %, i a un motor d'investigació de dos temps, on existien grans quantitats de curtcircuit i residuals, les diferencies foren de 4.36 %. En tots els casos estudiats les diferències trobades poden ser atribuïdes als errors que caracteritzen els mètodes auxiliars utilitzats per obtenir la mesura de referència. Finalment, per demostrar el potencial del mètode s'han desenvolupat quatre aplicacions per al control i diagnòstic de motors de combustió interna alternatius: l'estimació de gasos residuals en motors amb NVO, la predicció de knock en motors SI, l'estimació de la temperatura dels gasos d'eixida, i un model de NOx per a motors CI. En les quatre aplicacions el mètode ha sigut comparat amb els sistemes de mesures actuals i amb sensors addicionals, demostrant millores importants en la precisió de la mesura i una resolució de solament un cicle.Bares Moreno, P. (2017). In-cylinder pressure resonance analysis for trapped mass estimation in automotive engines [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/9042

Optimal Sensor Placement for High Pressure and Low Pressure EGR Estimation

[EN] Low pressure exhaust gases recirculation (LP-EGR) is becoming a state-of-the-art technique for Nitrogen oxides (NOx) reduction in compression ignited (CI) engines. However, despite the pollutant reduction benefits, LP-EGR suffers from strong non-linearities and delays which are difficult to handle, resulting in reduced engine performance under certain conditions. Measurement and observation of oxygen concentration at the intake have been a research topic over the past few years, and it may be critical for transition phases (from low pressure to high pressure EGR). Here, an adequate selection of models and sensors is essential to obtain a precise and fast measurement for control purposes. The present paper analyses different sensor configurations, with oxygen concentration measurements at the intake and exhaust manifold and combines observation techniques with sensor models to determine the potential of each configuration. Experimental results from a 2.2 l. diesel engine are used to validate the presented techniques.Luján, JM.; Pla Moreno, B.; Bares-Moreno, P.; Aramburu-Orihuela, A. (2021). Optimal Sensor Placement for High Pressure and Low Pressure EGR Estimation. SAE International. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.4271/2021-01-042311

Cylinder charge composition observation based on in-cylinder pressure measurement

[EN] Accurate cylinder charge and composition estimation is crucial for proper combustion control, however, current sensors and models show different issues for transient estimation. The work presented in this paper combines a novel technique for trapped mass estimation, which relies on the in-cylinder pressure resonance, with on-board engine sensors by taking into account the intake manifold dynamics with a closed-loop observer. The resonance method provides a measurement of trapped mass with one cycle resolution. This measurement feeds a Kalman filter to improve the transient and steady response of the intake charge and composition estimation. The observer was validated in a four stroke heavy-duty engine, showing fast transient capabilities and an adequate steady-state accuracy.This work was partially supported by Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad through Project TRA2016-78717-R. C. Guardiola research has been partially financed by the Fulbright Commission and the Spanish Ministerio de Educacion, Cultura y Deporte through grant PRX14/00274.Guardiola, C.; Pla Moreno, B.; Bares-Moreno, P.; Stefanopoulou, A. (2019). Cylinder charge composition observation based on in-cylinder pressure measurement. Measurement. 131:559-568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2018.08.024S55956813

Influence of Fuel Injection, Turbocharging and EGR Systems Control on Combustion Parameters in an Automotive Diesel Engine

Indicated pressure diagrams were measured during experimental campaigns on the control of fuel injection, turbocharging and hybrid exhaust gas recirculation systems in an automotive downsized diesel engine. Three part load operating conditions were selected for four test sets, where strategies aimed at the reduction of NOX emissions and fuel consumption, limiting penalties in soot emissions and combustion noise were applied to the selected systems. Processing of in-cylinder pressure signal, its first derivative and curves of rate of heat release allowed to evaluate seven parameters related to combustion centre and duration, maximum values of pressure, heat release and its first derivative, heat released in the premixed phase and a combustion noise indicator. Relationships between these quantities and engine operating, energy and environmental parameters were then obtained referring to the four test sets. In the paper, the most significant links are presented and discussed, aiming at a better understanding of the influence of control variables on combustion process and the effects on engine behavior. The proposed methodology proved to be a consistent tool for this analysis, useful for supporting the application of alternative fuels or advanced combustion modes