9,286 research outputs found
Design and development of auxiliary components for a new two-stroke, stratified-charge, lean-burn gasoline engine
A unique stepped-piston engine was developed by a group of research engineers at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), from 2003 to 2005. The development work undertaken by them engulfs design, prototyping and evaluation over a predetermined period of time which was iterative and challenging in nature. The main objective of the program is to demonstrate local R&D capabilities on small engine work that is able to produce mobile powerhouse of comparable output, having low-fuel consumption and acceptable emission than its crankcase counterpart of similar displacement. A two-stroke engine work was selected as it posses a number of technological challenges, increase in its thermal efficiency, which upon successful undertakings will be useful in assisting the group in future powertrain undertakings in UTM. In its carbureted version, the single-cylinder aircooled engine incorporates a three-port transfer system and a dedicated crankcase breather. These features will enable the prototype to have high induction efficiency and to behave very much a two-stroke engine but equipped with a four-stroke crankcase lubrication system. After a series of analytical work the engine was subjected to a series of laboratory trials. It was also tested on a small watercraft platform with promising indication of its flexibility of use as a prime mover in mobile platform. In an effort to further enhance its technology features, the researchers have also embarked on the development of an add-on auxiliary system. The system comprises of an engine control unit (ECU), a directinjector unit, a dedicated lubricant dispenser unit and an embedded common rail fuel unit. This support system was incorporated onto the engine to demonstrate the finer points of environmental-friendly and fuel economy features. The outcome of this complete package is described in the report, covering the methodology and the final characteristics of the mobile power plant
Time-resolved fuel injector flow characterisation based on 3D laser Doppler vibrometry
In order to enable investigations of the fuel flow inside unmodified
injectors, we have developed a new experimental approach to measure
time-resolved vibration spectra of diesel nozzles using a three dimensional
laser vibrometer. The technique we propose is based on the triangulation of the
vibrometer and fuel pressure transducer signals, and enables the quantitative
characterisation of quasi-cyclic internal flows without requiring modifications
to the injector, the working fluid, or limiting the fuel injection pressure.
The vibrometer, which uses the Doppler effect to measure the velocity of a
vibrating object, was used to scan injector nozzle tips during the injection
event. The data were processed using a discrete Fourier transform to provide
time-resolved spectra for valve-closed-orifice, minisac and microsac nozzle
geometries, and injection pressures ranging from 60 to 160MPa, hence offering
unprecedented insight into cyclic cavitation and internal mechanical dynamic
processes. A peak was consistently found in the spectrograms between 6 and
7.5kHz for all nozzles and injection pressures. Further evidence of a similar
spectral peak was obtained from the fuel pressure transducer and a needle lift
sensor mounted into the injector body. Evidence of propagation of the nozzle
oscillations to the liquid sprays was obtained by recording high-speed videos
of the near-nozzle diesel jet, and computing the fast Fourier transform for a
number of pixel locations at the interface of the jets. This 6-7.5kHz frequency
peak is proposed to be the natural frequency for the injector's main internal
fuel line. Other spectral peaks were found between 35 and 45kHz for certain
nozzle geometries, suggesting that these particular frequencies may be linked
to nozzle dependent cavitation phenomena.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figure
Thermal and performance analysis of a gasification boiler and its energy efficiency optimization
The purpose of this study was to determine a method for multi-parametric output regulation of a gasification boiler especially designed for heating or for hot water heating in buildings. A new method of regulation is offered, namely more parametric regulation via proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers that are capable of controlling the calculated values of pressure, temperature and fan speed. These values of pressure, temperature and fan speed are calculated in a completely new way, and calculations of setpoints for determination of optimal parameters lead to an increase in boilers efficiency and power output. Results of measurements show that changes at the mouth of the stack draft due atmospheric influences occur in times with high intensity and high frequency, while power parameters, or boiler power output amplitudes and fan speed automatically "copy" those changes proportionally due to instantaneous fan speed changes. The proposed method of regulation of the gasification boiler power output according to the technical solution enables a simple, cheap, express and continuous maintenance of high power output at low concentrations of the exhaust gases of the gasification boilers from the viewpoint of the boiler user, as well as from the perspective of development and production it allows a continuous control monitoring of these parameters.Web of Science107art. no. 106
Integrated control and health management. Orbit transfer rocket engine technology program
To insure controllability of the baseline design for a 7500 pound thrust, 10:1 throttleable, dual expanded cycle, Hydrogen-Oxygen, orbit transfer rocket engine, an Integrated Controls and Health Monitoring concept was developed. This included: (1) Dynamic engine simulations using a TUTSIM derived computer code; (2) analysis of various control methods; (3) Failure Modes Analysis to identify critical sensors; (4) Survey of applicable sensors technology; and, (5) Study of Health Monitoring philosophies. The engine design was found to be controllable over the full throttling range by using 13 valves, including an oxygen turbine bypass valve to control mixture ratio, and a hydrogen turbine bypass valve, used in conjunction with the oxygen bypass to control thrust. Classic feedback control methods are proposed along with specific requirements for valves, sensors, and the controller. Expanding on the control system, a Health Monitoring system is proposed including suggested computing methods and the following recommended sensors: (1) Fiber optic and silicon bearing deflectometers; (2) Capacitive shaft displacement sensors; and (3) Hot spot thermocouple arrays. Further work is needed to refine and verify the dynamic simulations and control algorithms, to advance sensor capabilities, and to develop the Health Monitoring computational methods
Investigation Into Advanced Architecture and Strategies For Turbocharged Compressed Natural Gas Heavy Duty SI-engine
CNG is at present retaining a growing interest as a factual alternative to traditional fuel for SI engine thanks to its high potentials in reducing the engine-out emissions. Increasing thrust into the exploitation of NG in the transport field is in fact produced by the even more stringent emission regulations which are being introduced into the worldwide scenario. Specific attention is also to be devoted to heavy duty engines given the high impact they retain due to the diesel oil exploitation and to the PM emissions, the latter issue assessing for the need to shift towards alternative fuels such as natural gas. A thorough control of the air-to-fuel ratio appears to be mandatory in spark ignition CNG engines in order to meet the even more stringent thresholds set by the current regulations. The accuracy of the air/fuel mixture highly depends on the injection system dynamic behavior and to its coupling to the engine fluid-dynamic. The amount of injected fuel should in fact be properly targeted by the ECU basing on the estimation of the induced air and accounting for the embedded closed-loop strategies. Still, these latter are normally derived from engine-base routines and totally ignore the injection system dynamics. Thus, a sound investigation into the mixing process can only be achieved provided that a proper analysis of the injection rail and of the injectors is carried out.
The first part of the present work carries out a numerical investigation into the fluid dynamic behavior of a commercial CNG injection system by means of a 0D-1D code. The research has been focused on defining the set of parameters to be precisely reproduced in the 0D-1D simulation so as to match the injection system experimental behavior. Specific attention has been paid to the one component which significantly contributes to fully defining its dynamic response, i.e. the pressure reducing valve. The pressure reducer is made up of various elements that retain diverse weights on the valve behavior and should consequently be differently addressed to. A refined model of the pressure reducer has hence been proposed and the model has been calibrated, tested and run under various operating conditions so as to assess for the set-up validity. Comparisons have been carried out on steady state points as well as through out a vehicle driving cycle and the model capability to properly reproduce the real system characteristic has been investigated into. The proposed valve model has proved to consistently replicate the injection system response for different speed and load conditions. A few methodological indications concerning modeling aspects of a pressure regulator can be drawn from the present study. The model has been run in a predictive mode so as to inquiry into the response of the system to fast transient operations, both in terms of speed and load. The model outputs have highlighted mismatches between the ECU target mass and the actually injected one and have hinted at the need for dedicated and refined control strategies capable of preventing anomalies in the mixture formation and hence in the engine functioning.
The second part of the present work aims at deeply investigating into the potentials of a heavy duty engine running on CNG and equipped with two different injection systems, an advanced SP one and a prototype MP one. The considered 7.8 liter engine was designed and produced to implement a Sigle-Point (SP) strategy and has hence been modified to run with a dedicated Multi-Point (MP) system so as to take advantage of its flexibility in terms of control strategies. More specifically, a thorough comparison between the experimental performances of the engine equipped with the two injection systems has been carried out at steady state as well as at transient operations. Better performances in terms of cycle-to-cycle variability were proved for the MP system despite poorer mixture homogeneity. Attention has also been paid to the different engine control strategies to be eventually adopted in compliance with the constraints set by the two different layouts. A 0D-1D model has also been built and validated on the experimental data set to be hence exploited for investigating into different strategies both for the SP and for the MP layout. An extensive simulation has been carried out on the effects of the injection phasing on the SP system performance referring to the engine power output and to the air-to-fuel ratio homogeneity amongst the cylinders. Finally, as far as the MP injection system is concerned, the innovative fire-skipping (DSF) or cylinder deactivation has been considered and deployed by means of the numerical model, assessing for an overall decrease in the fuel consumption of 12% at part load operations
Pulsating burners-controlling mechanisms and performance
Issued as Semi annual report, Quarterly report, and Final repor
Development of an electronic control unit for the T63 gas turbine
Includes bibliographical references.Fundamental research has been undertaken at the SASOL Advanced Fuels Laboratory to investigate the effects of the chemistry and physical properties of both conventional and synthetic jet fuels on threshold combustion. This research was undertaken using a purpose built low pressure continuous combustion test facility. Researchers at the laboratory now wish to examine these effects on an aviation gas turbine in service for which “off-map” scheduling of fuel to the engine would be required. A two phase project was thus proposed to develop this capability; the work of this thesis embodies Phase I of that project
Injection and combustion analysis and knock detection models for high-efficiency natural gas engines
Between different sectors, GHG emissions released by automotive one in 2010 were 4.5 GtCO2, the 14% of the total (32 GtCO2). Moreover, transport sector depends by more than 93% on oil, to be refined into gasoline and diesel fuel. Natural gas demand in transport sector has clearly increased in the last decade considering the lowest CO2 emissions per units of energy produced among different fossil fuels but it will be used mostly in the next future. Among different sectors, the 21 % of the energy demand is indeed supplied by NG, due to lower price and reduced GHG emissions. Storage type (compressed natural gas or liquefied natural gas) and vehicle type (road transport, marine transport, etc.) mainly discriminate natural gas engine layouts. Spark-ignition natural gas engine with different configurations will be indeed taken into consideration in this research project. Today, vehicles for the road transport fueled with compressed natural gas are mainly bi-fuel ones with both gasoline and natural gas feeding system with a manual or automatic switch. To mitigate knock event, engine layout is designed up to gasoline characteristics and engine performances with natural gas are not fully exploited. Mono-fuel configuration is capable to totally exploit the potential of natural gas. Therefore, this thesis will focus on the development of mono-fuel natural gas engines and improvements in injection and combustion strategies have to be reached by implementing new combustion chamber shape, improved ignition management and improved injection systems.
A detailed analysis of the natural gas injection system will be hence carried out. Different injection system layouts will be analyzed: single-point, multi-point and direct injection systems, focusing on pressure reducing valve dynamic. As a matter of fact, its behavior affects the dynamic response of the injection system: mismatch between estimated injected fuel and real one could be appreciated. Typically, average rail pressure evaluated by ECU differs from mean value during injection window. Therefore, detailed analysis will be carried out on experimental data and a 0D-1D numerical model will be
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developed to enhance the problem understanding. The research activity has been carried out in order to reproduce properly all the components of the pressure reducing valve which affects the dynamic response of the injections system. The numerical model will give useful explanation of the fuel mass injected mismatch.
Then, a heavy-duty spark ignition compressed natural gas engine provided with two different injection systems will be examined. A standardized single-point injection system and a prototypal multi-point one will be evaluated so as to evaluate the possibility for performance enhancement. Cyclic variation and combustion efficiency for each configuration will be analyzed, proving the highest combustion efficiency of the prototypal configuration. Moreover, possible improvements with new engine control strategies will be investigated by adopting a 0D-1D numerical model. Single-point injection system modelling will prove the impossibility for efficiency improvement whereas multi-point injection system can be optimized by adopting enhanced strategies. As a matter of fact, fire-skipping mode will be simulated. Feasible reductions of fuel consumption under partial load conditions will be shown: decrease in fuel consumption up to 12% will be proved.
Finally, a new methodology for combustion, cyclic variation and knock onset modelling will be presented. Indeed, high-efficiency natural gas engines could in turn lead to knock conditions due to higher CR and different combustion chamber shape. Experimental analysis at test bench could be carried out to calibrate appropriate ECU control strategies for knock mitigation, but an experimental campaign under knock condition is dangerous and costly due to possible failure of mechanical parts of the engine. Numerical models for auto-ignition prediction could hence overcome this problem. Therefore, a predictive fractal combustion tool will be calibrated: it will be able to perform a correct mass fraction burned evolution estimation for different operating conditions (speeds, loads, relative air-to-fuel ratio, etc.). Then, knock onset estimation based on auto-integral (its usage is satisfactory considering the high natural gas chemical stability) coupled with a new method for cyclic variability simulation will be adopted; these two phenomena are indeed strictly correlated. A correct estimation of the percentage of knocking cycles will be shown. This new methodology will be carried out and verified on two light-duty spark ignition engines with different characteristics so as to verify its goodness
STS-41 Space Shuttle mission report
The STS-41 Space Shuttle Program Mission Report contains a summary of the vehicle subsystem activities on this thirty-sixth flight of the Space Shuttle and the eleventh flight of the Orbiter vehicle, Discovery (OV-103). In addition to the Discovery vehicle, the flight vehicle consisted of an External Tank (ET) (designated as ET-39/LWT-32), three Space Shuttle main engines (SSME's) (serial numbers 2011, 2031, and 2107), and two Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB's), designated as BI-040. The primary objective of the STS-41 mission was to successfully deploy the Ulysses/inertial upper stage (IUS)/payload assist module (PAM-S) spacecraft. The secondary objectives were to perform all operations necessary to support the requirements of the Shuttle Backscatter Ultraviolet (SSBUV) Spectrometer, Solid Surface Combustion Experiment (SSCE), Space Life Sciences Training Program Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space (CHROMEX), Voice Command System (VCS), Physiological Systems Experiment (PSE), Radiation Monitoring Experiment - 3 (RME-3), Investigations into Polymer Membrane Processing (IPMP), Air Force Maui Optical Calibration Test (AMOS), and Intelsat Solar Array Coupon (ISAC) payloads. The sequence of events for this mission is shown in tabular form. Summarized are the significant problems that occurred in the Orbiter subsystems during the mission. The official problem tracking list is presented. In addition, each Orbiter problem is cited in the subsystem discussion
Combustion of LOX with H2(sub g) under subcritical, critical, and supercritical conditions (Task 1) and experimental observation of dense spray and mixing of impinging jets (Task 2)
The objective was to achieve a better understanding of the combustion processes of liquid oxygen and gaseous hydrogen under broad range of pressure covering subcritical, critical, and supercritical conditions. The scope of the experimental work falls into the following areas: (1) design of the overall experimental setup; (2) modification of an existing windowed high pressure chamber; (3) design of the LOX feeding system; (4) provision of the safety features in the test rig design; (5) LOX cleanliness requirements; (6) cold shock testing; (7) implementation of data acquisition systems; (8) preliminary tests for system checkout; (9) modification of LOX feeding system; and (10) evaporation tests. Progress in each area is discussed
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