Advanced Technologies for the Optimization of Internal Combustion Engines

This Special Issue puts together recent findings in advanced technologies for the optimization of internal combustion engines in order to help the scientific community address the efforts towards the development of higher-power engines with lower fuel consumption and pollutant emissions

Fuel Injection

Fuel Injection is a key process characterizing the combustion development within Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs) and in many other industrial applications. State of the art in the research and development of modern fuel injection systems are presented in this book. It consists of 12 chapters focused on both numerical and experimental techniques, allowing its proper design and optimization

A QUANTITATIVE INVESTIGATION OF THE WATER CONDENSATION INSIDE TUBES OF COMPACT CHARGE AIR COOLER

To address the need of increasing fuel economy requirements, automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are increasing the number of turbocharged engines in their powertrain line-ups. The turbine-driven technology uses a forced induction device, which increases engine performance by increasing the density of the air charge being drawn into the cylinder. Denser air allows more fuel to be introduced into the combustion chamber, thus increasing engine performance. During the compression process, the air is heated to temperatures that can cause pre-ignition, resulting in reduced engine functionality. The introduction of the charge air cooler (CAC) is therefore, necessary to extract heat from the compresses air. The present research describes the physics and develops the theoretical equations that define the process. It also develops a 3-D computational model of the CAC internal flow with condensate using ANSYS® Fluent and validates the predictions of the 3-D model using measurements from Ford experimental data. Finally, the research presents a correlation that provides an approach for designing heat exchangers for practical applications that encounter moisture in the powertrain air intake air stream. The overall benefit identified is an experimentally validated simulation methodology to evaluate and design CACs that function outside the condensate formation zone during vehicle operation mode

Investigating Effects of Water Injection on SI Engines

In recent years, there has been a major shift towards the partial or complete electrification of vehicles that have traditionally been powered by conventional internal combustion (IC) engines; almost all major automotive manufacturers have rightly stated that they will make such a shift. This has been motivated in large part by pressure from governments and policymakers to minimize vehicular emissions, especially those of the greenhouse gas CO2, in order to control climate change. A widely recognized way of facilitating this shift is to introduce vehicles having both an electric motor and a downsized turbocharged spark-ignited engine. Downsized SI engines are designed to have lower fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions than conventional engines while maintaining a comparable power output by increasing thermal efficiency. Unfortunately, this generally necessitates higher cylinder pressures and temperatures, both of which increase the engine\u27s knock propensity. At present, engine knock is mitigated by retarding the ignition timing or fuel enrichment, both of which reduce thermal efficiency. During the last decade, research building on trials conducted with aircraft engines has shown that water injection may be a viable alternative knock mitigation strategy that mainly suppresses knock by reducing local in-cylinder mixture temperatures. Adding sufficient water to the cylinder can enable knock-free engine operation under stoichiometric conditions, reducing fuel consumption and enabling full utilization of a three-way catalytic converter (TWC).This licentiate thesis presents studies on the performance of a water injection system that were conducted within the framework of a broader project seeking to optimize SI engines for use in high efficiency hybrid powertrains. The results presented originate from two experimental campaigns. During the first campaign, a 3-cylinder 1.5L turbocharged engine was operated using 91, 95, and 98 RON gasoline fuel to assess the effects of water injection on knock mitigation, thermal efficiency, and emissions. Full- and part-load curves obtained with different fuels and water injection strategies are presented and discussed. In the second campaign, the effect of varying the moisture content of the ambient air (i.e. the relative humidity) was investigated using both experimental and theoretical methods to clarify the mechanism responsible for the knock suppression and performance enhancement caused by water injection. The engine was operated at three humidity levels that were maintained using a humidity control system developed in-house. Particulate emissions were also measured at each studied operating point and their dependence on relative humidity is discussed

Should we have a new engine? An automobile power systems evaluation. Volume 2: Technical reports

Alternative automotive powerplants were examined for possible introduction during the 1980-1990 time period. Technical analyses were made of the Stratified-Charge Otto, Diesel, Rankine (steam), Brayton (gas turbine), Stirling, Electric, and Hybrid powerplants as alternatives to the conventional Otto-cycle engine with its likely improvements. These alternatives were evaluated from a societal point of view in terms of energy consumption, urban air quality, cost to the consumer, materials availability, safety, and industry impact. The results show that goals for emission reduction and energy conservation for the automobile over the next 5-10 years can be met by improvements to the Otto-cycle engine and to the vehicle. This provides time for the necessary development work on the Brayton and Stirling engines, which offer the promise of eliminating the automobile as a significant source of urban air pollution, dramatically reducing fuel consumption, and being saleable at a price differential which can be recovered in fuel savings by the first owner. Specifically, the Brayton and Stirling engines require intensive component, system, and manufacturing process development at a funding level considerably higher than at present

Dual-Fuel Combustion in a Heavy-Duty Engine

The need to control climate change and improve the fuel effieciency of internal combustion engines has prompted global efforts to develop alternative fuels in order to reduce dependence on conventional petroleum derivatives. This thesis deals with three such alternative fuels: compressed natural gas (CNG), pure methane (used to mimic biogas), and methanol. The first parts of the thesis discuss experimental investigations into conventional gas-Diesel dual-fuel combustion.The effect of the CNG/methane supplement ratio on engine performance and emissions was explored at two different load points. The results indicated improved performance and emissions at intermediate load more than at low load. In addition, a 3D dual-fuel combustion model developed at Chalmers was validated against experimental data generated during these studies. Reasonably good agreement was achieved between experiment and simulation for most aspects of engine performance, but there were some discrepancies regarding the onset of ignition delay and emissions.The later parts of the thesis deal with studies on a low temperature combustion concept, Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI), using two alternative fuels: CNG and methanol. Engine performance and emissions were studied for both CNG-Diesel and methanol-Diesel RCCI combustion. Experiments on CNG-Diesel RCCI combustion were performed to explore the effcts of different engine parameters on engine performance and emissions, revealing that high indicated thermal efficiencies (over 50%) could be achieved. However, this combustion strategy presented difficulties when operating at high load and high compression ratios due to the peak incylinder pressure limitation. Another CNG-Diesel RCCI combustion study was therefore conducted, focused on extending the operational load range for this combustion strategy and improving combustion phasing by using late inlet valve closing (IVC). This approach increased the maximum load for CNG-Diesel RCCI combustion by 40% compared to the first CNG-Diesel RCCI study. Finally, experiments on methanol-Diesel RCCI combustion showed that port injection of methanol offered better performance than direct injection of methanol during either the intake stroke or the compression stroke in terms of net indicated thermal efficiency and emissions of HC and CO

Internal Combustion Engines and Powertrain Systems for future Transport 2019

Internal Combustion Engines and Powertrain Systems for Future Transport 2019 provides a forum for IC engine, fuels and powertrain experts, and looks closely at developments in powertrain technology required to meet the demands of the low carbon economy and global competition in all sectors of the transportation, off-highway and stationary power industries

Proceedings of the 20th Automotive Technology Development Contractors' Coordination Meeting

Thirty-four papers are included which cover the following topics: stirling technology, gas turbines, ceramics, heavy duty transport, industry perspectives, and alternative fuels

Internal Combustion Engines and Powertrain Systems for future Transport 2019

Internal Combustion Engines and Powertrain Systems for Future Transport 2019 provides a forum for IC engine, fuels and powertrain experts, and looks closely at developments in powertrain technology required to meet the demands of the low carbon economy and global competition in all sectors of the transportation, off-highway and stationary power industries