Exhaust emissions reduction for intermittent combustion aircraft engines

Three concepts which, to an aircraft piston engine, provide reductions in exhaust emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide while simultaneously improving fuel economy. The three chosen concepts, (1) an improved fuel injection system, (2) an improved cooling cylinder head, and (3) exhaust air injection, when combined, show a synergistic relationship in achieving these goals. In addition, the benefits of variable ignition timing were explored and both dynamometer and flight testing of the final engine configuration were accomplished

Cavitation induced starvation for piston-ring/liner tribological conjunction

The study investigates the mechanism of ring-liner lubrication in the vicinity of the top and bottom dead centres of an internal combustion engine. Predicting lubricant transient behaviour is critical when the inlet reversal leads to thin films and inherent metal-to-metal interaction. It was found that the cavitation, which is located at the trailing edge of the contact before reversal, briefly survives after reversal as a confined bubble at the leading edge. This depletes the film promoting starvation. Several algorithms were compared. It is concluded that the lubricant film is thinner than initially thought

Advanced turbocharger design study program

The advanced Turbocharger Design Study consisted of: (1) the evaluation of three advanced engine designs to determine their turbocharging requirements, and of technologies applicable to advanced turbocharger designs; (2) trade-off studies to define a turbocharger conceptual design and select the engine with the most representative requirements for turbocharging; (3) the preparation of a turbocharger conceptual design for the Curtiss Wright RC2-32 engine selected in the trade-off studies; and (4) the assessment of market impact and the preparation of a technology demonstration plan for the advanced turbocharger

Powertrain Architectures and Technologies for New Emission and Fuel Consumption Standards

New powertrain design is highly influenced by CO2 and pollutant limits defined by legislations, the demand of fuel economy in for real conditions, high performances and acceptable cost. To reach the requirements coming from both end-users and legislations, several powertrain architectures and engine technologies are possible (e.g. SI or CI engines), with many new technologies, new fuels, and different degree of electrification. The benefits and costs given by the possible architectures and technology mix must be accurately evaluated by means of objective procedures and tools in order to choose among the best alternatives. This work presents a basic design methodology and a comparison at concept level of the main powertrain architectures and technologies that are currently being developed, considering technical benefits and their cost effectiveness. The analysis is carried out on the basis of studies from the technical literature, integrating missing data with evaluations performed by means of powertrain-vehicle simplified models, considering the most important powertrain architectures. Technology pathways for passenger cars up to 2025 and beyond have been defined. After that, with support of more detailed models and experimentations, the investigation has been focused on the more promising technologies to improve internal combustion engine, such as: water injection, low temperature combustions and heat recovery systems

Meta-heuristic algorithms in car engine design: a literature survey

Meta-heuristic algorithms are often inspired by natural phenomena, including the evolution of species in Darwinian natural selection theory, ant behaviors in biology, flock behaviors of some birds, and annealing in metallurgy. Due to their great potential in solving difficult optimization problems, meta-heuristic algorithms have found their way into automobile engine design. There are different optimization problems arising in different areas of car engine management including calibration, control system, fault diagnosis, and modeling. In this paper we review the state-of-the-art applications of different meta-heuristic algorithms in engine management systems. The review covers a wide range of research, including the application of meta-heuristic algorithms in engine calibration, optimizing engine control systems, engine fault diagnosis, and optimizing different parts of engines and modeling. The meta-heuristic algorithms reviewed in this paper include evolutionary algorithms, evolution strategy, evolutionary programming, genetic programming, differential evolution, estimation of distribution algorithm, ant colony optimization, particle swarm optimization, memetic algorithms, and artificial immune system

Coupling excavator hydraulic system and internal combustion engine models for the real-time simulation

Rising energy costs and emissions restrictions force manufacturers to exploit new techniques to reduce fuel consumption and pollutant production. Many solutions have been proposed for off-road vehicles, mainly based on reduction of hydraulic losses, better control strategies and introduction of hybrid architectures. In these applications the optimization of the matching between hydraulic system and thermal engine is a major concern to improve system overall efficiency. The work presented in the paper is focused on the development of a method for the simulation of typical mobile machinery where hydraulic systems are powered by internal combustion engines; the proposed co-simulation approach can be useful in the development cycle of this machinery

A New Model for Matching Advanced Boosting Systems to Automotive Diesel Engines

[EN] Boosting technologies have been key enablers for automotive engines development through downsizing and downspeeding. In this situation, numerous multistage boosting systems have appeared in the last decade. The complexity arising from multistage architectures requires an efficient matching methodology to obtain the best overall powertrain performance. The paper presents a model aimed to choose the best 2-stage boosting system architecture able to meet required criteria on boosting pressure, EGR ratios for both short and long route loops while respecting the engine thermo-mechanical limits such as in-cylinder pressure, compressor outlet temperature and exhaust manifold temperature. The model includes filling-and-emptying 0D elements together with mean value. The engine model is set in a way that, for given requirements and boosting system layout, calculates in seconds if the requirements will be achieved and the position of variable geometry, waste-gate, EGR and by-pass valves. The model is thus inversed thanks to a new representation of turbine maps that converts the classical iterative matching procedure in straight forward. The model can be also used in a predictive manner to calculate the engine transient response. The model has been calibrated to 3 different turbocharged diesel engines. The model gives good results provided that wave effects are not important. This is the case of compact exhaust manifolds, typically used in turbocharged diesel engines, below 3500 rpm. Tuned intake air lines can be taken into account through a tuning parameter affecting boosting pressure. An example is given in the paper for the matching procedure in a 2-stage, double route EGR, including steady and transient results.This work has been partially financed by the Univeristat Politècnica de València through the Programa de Apoyo a la Investigación y Desarrollo 2012, project PAID-06-2012 DECOAH.Galindo, J.; Luján, JM.; Climent, H.; Guardiola, C.; Varnier, O. (2014). A New Model for Matching Advanced Boosting Systems to Automotive Diesel Engines. SAE International Journal of Engines. 7(1):1-14. https://doi.org/10.4271/2014-01-1078S1147

Development of Combustion Indicators for Control of Multi-Fuel Engines Based on New Combustion Concepts

[ES] Debido a las regulaciones en materia de emisiones y CO2 la industria automotriz a desarrollado diferentes tecnologías innovadoras. Estas tecnologías incluyen combustibles alternativos y nuevos modos de combustión, entre otros. De aquí surge la necesidad del desarrollo de nuevos métodos para el control de la combustión en estas condiciones mencionadas. Por este motivo, en este trabajo se han desarrollado diferentes modelos e indicadores orientados al diagnóstico y control de la combustión tanto en condiciones normales como anormales. Para los casos de combustión normal, se ha desarrollado un modelo de combustión, cuyo objetivo es estimar la media de la evolución de la fracción de la masa quemada y la presión dentro del cilindro. Se implementó un observador, basado en la señal de knock, con la finalidad de mejorar la estimación en condiciones transitorias y poder aplicar así el modelo a diferentes tipos de combustibles. También se presenta un modelo de variabilidad cíclica, en el cual, a partir del modelo de combustión, se propaga una distribución en dos de los parámetros de dicho modelo. Ambos modelos han sido aplicados para un motor de encendido provocado y un motor de combustión de encendido por chorro turbulento. En los casos de combustión anormal, se ha incluido un análisis de la resonancia dentro de la cámara de combustión, en donde también se desarrollaron dos modelos capaces de estimar la evolución de la resonancia. Estos modelos, tanto para condiciones normales como anormales, se utilizaron para el diagnóstico de la combustión. Por una parte, para la detección de knock, en donde tres estrategias de detección de knock fueron desarrolladas: dos basadas en el sensor de presión en cámara y una en el sensor de knock. Por otra parte, se realizó una aplicación de un modelo de resonancia para la mejora de la estimación de la masa atrapada a partir de la resonancia. Finalmente, para mostrar el potencial de los modelos de diagnóstico, dos aplicaciones a control se desarrollaron: una para el control de knock a través de la actuación de la chispa, y otra para el control de gases residuales, a través de la actuación de la distribución variable, realizando paralelamente una optimización de la combustión a través de la actuación de la chispa.[CA] Impulsada per les regulacions en matèria d'emissions i CO2 la indústria automotriu a desenvolupat diferents tecnologies inovadore. Aquestes tecnologies inclouen combustibles alternatius i nous modes de combustió, entre altres. D'ací sorgix la necessitat posar en pràctica nous mètodes per al control de la combustió. En aquest context, el present trevall proposa diferents models i indicadors orientats al diagnòstic i control de la combustió tant en condicions normals com anormals. Per als casos de combustió normal, es proposa un model de combustió, l'objectiu del qual és estimar la mitjana de l'evolució de la fracció de la massa cremada i la pressió dins del cilindre. Es va implementar un observador, basat en la senyal de knock, amb la finalitat de millorar l'estimació en condicions transitòries i poder aplicar així el model a diferents tipus de combustibles. També es presenta un model de variabilitat cíclica, en el qual, a partir del model de combustió, es propaga una distribució en dos dels parametres del dit model. Ambdós models han sigut aplicats a un motor d'encesa provocada i un motor de combustió d'encesa per doll turbulent. Als casos de combustió anormal, s'ha inclos un anàlisi de la ressonància dins de la cambra de combustió, on també es van desenvolupar dos models capaços d'estimar l'evolució de la ressonància. Aquests models, tant per a condicions normals com anormals, s'utilitzen per al diagnòstic de la combustió. Per una part, per a la detecció de knock, on tres estratègies de detecció de knock s'han desenvolupat: dues basades en el sensor de pressió a la cambra de combustió i una altra basada en el sensor de knock. Per altra part, es va realitzar una aplicació d'un model de ressonància per a la millora de l'estimació de la massa atrapada a partir de la ressonància. Finalment, per a mostrar el potencial dels models de diagnòstic, dos aplicacions de control es van desenvolupar: una per al control de knock a través de l'actuació de l'espurna, i una altra per al control de gasos residuals, a través de l'actuació de la distribució variable, realitzant paral·lelament una optimització de la combustió a través de l'actuació de l'espurna.[EN] The need to satisfy emissions and CO2 regulations is pushing the automotive industry to develop different innovative technologies. These technologies include alternative fuels and new modes of combustion, among others. Therefore, the need for the development of new methods for combustion control in these mentioned conditions arises. For this reason, in this work different models and indicators have been developed aimed at the diagnosis and control of combustion in both normal and abnormal conditions. For normal combustion cases, a combustion model has been developed, the objective of this model is to estimate the mean of evolution of the mass fraction burned and the in-cylinder pressure. An observer had been implemented, based on knock sensor signal, in order to improve the estimation in transient conditions and also to be able to make use of the model with different fuels. A cyclic variability model is also presented, where from the combustion model, a probability distribution is propagated over two of the parameters of such model. Both models had been applied for a spark ignition engine and a turbulent jet ignition combustion engine. For the abnormal combustion cases, an analysis of the resonance within the combustion chamber had been included, where two models capable of estimating the evolution of the resonance were also developed. These models, for both normal and abnormal conditions, were used for the diagnosis of combustion: on the one hand, for knock recognition, where three knock detection strategies were developed: two based on the in-cylinder pressure sensor and one on the knock sensor. On the other hand, an application of a resonance model was carried out in order to improve the estimation of the trapped mass from the resonance excitation. Finally, to show the potential of such models and applications, two control strategies were developed: one for the control of knock through the actuation of the spark advance, and a second for the control of residual gases, through the actuation of the variable valve timing, while optimizing the combustion through the actuation of the spark advance.El trabajo desarrollado en esta tesis ha sido posible gracias a la financiación de la Generalitat Valenciana y el fondo social europeo a través de la beca 132 GRISO- LIAP/2018/132 y BEFPI/2021/042.Jiménez, IA. (2022). Development of Combustion Indicators for Control of Multi-Fuel Engines Based on New Combustion Concepts [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/181561TESI

Automotive Stirling engine: Mod 2 design report

The design of an automotive Stirling engine that achieves the superior fuel economy potential of the Stirling cycle is described. As the culmination of a 9-yr development program, this engine, designated the Mod 2, also nullifies arguments that Stirling engines are heavy, expensive, unreliable, demonstrating poor performance. Installed in a General Motors Chevrolet Celebrity car, this engine has a predicted combined fuel economy on unleaded gasoline of 17.5 km/l (41 mpg)- a value 50% above the current vehicle fleet average. The Mod 2 Stirling engine is a four-cylinder V-drive design with a single crankshaft. The engine is also equipped with all the controls and auxiliaries necessary for automotive operation

Development and validation of a virtual engine model for simulating standard testing cycles

[ES] Las nuevas regulaciones en materia de emisiones de efecto invernadero y calidad del aire han conducido la evolución tecnológica de los motores de combustión interna durante los últimos años. Las mejoras en el proceso de la combustión, la sobrealimentación, la gestión térmica, los sistemas de post tratamiento y técnicas como la recirculación de gases de escape, han permitido que los motores de combustión interna de hoy en día sean cada vez más limpios. La adopción en Europa del nuevo ciclo de homologación WLTP, que considera un ciclo de conducción más realista que su predecesor el NEDC, así como la necesidad de evaluar las emisiones contaminantes en diferentes escenarios de temperatura ambiente y de altitud, suponen un desafío para los fabricantes a la hora de diseñar y optimizar sus motores. En este contexto, el modelado unidimensional del motor ofrece la posibilidad de desarrollar y probar diferentes soluciones con la suficiente precisión,a la vez que permite agilizar el proceso de diseño del motor y reducir los costes de éste. El objetivo de esta tesis es el de desarrollar un modelo completo de motor virtual que permita simular condiciones transitorias de régimen de giro y grado de carga, así como diferentes condiciones ambientales de presión y temperatura. Con este modelo de motor se pretende predecir las principales variables termo-fluidodinámicas en diferentes puntos del motor y las emisiones contaminantes liberadas en el escape. Por otra parte, el arranque en frío y el funcionamiento a bajas temperaturas están asociados a un mayor consumo, mayores emisiones de hidrocarburos (HC) y monóxido de carbono (CO), así como mayores emisiones de óxidos de nitrógeno (NOx) debido a la desactivación de los sistemas de recirculación de gases de escape. Para paliar estos efectos adversos, una opción es lograr que el sistema de postratamiento alcance su temperatura de activación lo más pronto posible. En este trabajo se aborda este objetivo mediante dos soluciones. Por un lado, se ha explorado la posibilidad de elevar la temperatura de los gases en el escape mediante un sistema de distribución variable. Con este método se pueden reducir las emisiones de CO y HC en torno a un 40-50 % y las emisiones de NOx hasta un 15 % durante la primera fase del ciclo WLTC, a costa de una penalización en el consumo de combustible. Por otro lado, también se ha estudiado la posibilidad de aislar térmicamente el sistema de escape. En este caso, es posible reducir las emisiones de CO y HC en torno a un 30 % sin mejorar las de NOx.[CA] Les noves regulacions en matèria d'emissions d'efecte d'hivernacle i qualitat de l'aire han conduït la evolució tecnològica dels motors de combustió interna durant els darrers anys. Les millores en el procés de la combustió, la sobrealimentació, la gestió tèrmica, els sistemes de postractament i tècniques com la recirculació de gasos d'escapament, han permès que els motors de combustió interna d'avui dia siguen cada vegada més nets. L'adopció a Europa del nou cicle d'homologació WLTP, que considera un cicle de conducció més realista que el seu predecessor el NEDC, així com la necessitat d'avaluar les emissions de gasos contaminants en diferents escenaris de temperatura ambient i humitat, suposen un repte per als fabricants a l'hora de dissenyar i optimitzar els seus motors. En aquest context, el modelatge unidimensional del motor ofereix la possibilitat de desenvolupar i provar diferents solucions amb la suficient precisió, al mateix temps que agilitza el procés de disseny del motor i reduïx els costos derivats d'aquest. L'objectiu d'aquesta tesi és el de desenvolupar un model complete de motor virtual que permeta simular condicions transitòries de règim de gir i grau de càrrega, així com diferents condicions ambientals de pressió i temperatura. Amb aquest model de motor es pretén predir les principals variables termo-fluidodinàmiques en diferents punts del motor i les emissions contaminants alliberades en l'escapament. Per altra banda, l'arrancada en fred i el funcionament a baixes temperatures están associats a un major consum, majors emissions d'hidrocarburs (HC) i monòxid de carboni (CO), així com majors emissions d'òxids de nitrògen (NOx) degudes a la desactivació dels sistemes de recirculació de gasos d'escapament. Per a pal·liar aquestos efectes indesitjats, una opció és aconseguir que el sistema de postractament arribe a la seua temperatura d'activació el més prompte possible. En aquest treball, aquest objectiu s'aborda mitjançant dues solucions. Per una banda, s'ha investigat la possibilitat d'augmentar la temperatura dels gasos en l'escapament per mitjà d'un sistema de distribució variable. Amb aquest mètode s'ha aconseguit reduïr les emissions de CO i HC al voltant d'un 40-50 % i les emissions de NOx fins a un 15 % durant la primera fase del cicle WLTC, acosta d'una penalització en el consum de combustible. Per altra banda, també s'ha estudiat la possibilitat d'aïllar tèrmicament el sistema d'escapament. En aquest cas, és possible reduir les emissions de CO i HC vora un 30 % sense millorar les de NOx .[EN] The new regulations regarding greenhouse emissions and air quality have led the technological progress of the internal combustion engines during the recent years. Improvements in the combustion process, turbocharging, thermal management, after-treatment systems and techniques such as the exhaust gases recirculation, have resulted in cleaner internal combustion engines. The adoption of the new type approval test in Europe, so-called WLTP, which represents a more realistic driving cycle than its forerunner the NEDC, as well as the need to evaluate pollutant emissions at different conditions of ambient temperature and altitude, represent a challenge for manufacturers when it comes to design and optimise their engines. In this context, one-dimensional engine models offer the possibility to develop and test different solutions with enough accuracy, while hastening the engine design process and reducing its costs. The main objective of this thesis is to develop a complete virtual engine model able to simulate transient conditions of engine speed and load, as well as different ambient conditions of pressure and temperature. The engine model is used to predict the main thermo-and fluid dynamic variables at different engine locations and the tailpipe pollutant emissions. Furthermore, engine cold start and its operation at low temperature is associated to a greater fuel consumption, hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions; as well as more nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions due to the deactivation of the exhaust gases recirculation systems. A solution to mitigate these negative effects is to heat up the after-treatment system so as to achieve its activation temperature as soon as possible. In the work presented, this goal is addressed through two different standpoints. On the one hand, variable valve timing systems have been studied as a way to increase the exhaust gases temperature. With this option it is possible to reduce CO and HC emissions by 40-50 % and NOx emissions by 15 % during the first stage of the WLTC cycle, at the expense of a penalty in the fuel consumption. On the other hand, the thermal insulation of the exhaust system has also been studied with the same objective. In this case, it is possible to reduce CO and HC emissions by 30 %, while not improving NOx ones.The author wishes to acknowledge the financial support received through the FPI S2 2018 1048 grant of Programa de Apoyo para la Investigación y Desarrollo (PAID) of Universitat Politècnica de València.Auñón García, Á. (2021). Development and validation of a virtual engine model for simulating standard testing cycles [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/168906TESI