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

Numerical Analyses on Ultra-Lean Si Engine Integrated In a Hybrid Powertrain to Reduce Noxious Emissions

The topic of the research activity, presented in this Ph.D. thesis, is the numerical investigation, through a hierarchical simulation-level approach, of innovative SI engines, possibly suitable for hybrid powertrains and featured by a reduced CO2 impact. For this purpose, firstly a conventional naturally aspirated small Spark Ignition (SI) engine has been analyzed, assessing the model predictivity of engine performance, combustion, and pollutant emissions. In the second stage, several engine architectures working in ultra-lean conditions have been numerically investigated, with particular emphasis on unburned hydrocarbon emission estimation. Then, an innovative 4-cylinder SI engine, equipped with an active pre-chamber (PC) ignition system and operating with an ultra-lean mixture, has been studied. Finally, this last engine has been virtually embedded into a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), belonging to the C segment, to estimate CO2 and pollutant emissions along the worldwide harmonized light vehicles test cycle (WLTC) and Real Driving Emission (RDE)-compliant cycles and to verify the EU regulation fulfillment

Large-Eddy Simulation of Gasoline Fuel Spray Injection at Ultra-High Injection Pressures

Gasoline direct injection is a state-of-the-art technique that reduces hydrocarbon and particulate emissions. However, further improvement is needed to meet current as well as future emission regulations. A prominent solution is to increase the fuel injection pressure which allows faster fuel droplet atomization, quick evaporation and improves fuel-air mixture formation under realistic engine conditions. In this work, the gasoline fuel injection process at ultra-high injection pressures ranging from 200 to 1500 bar was analyzed using numerical models. In particular, the Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) method, with the standard Smagorinsky turbulence model, was utilized using the Eulerian formulation\ua0 for the continuous phase. The discrete droplet phase was treated using a Lagrangian formulation together with spray sub-models. In the first part of study, spray was injected into an initially quiescent constant volume chamber using two different nozzle hole shape geometries: divergent and convergent. The numerical results were calibrated by reproducing experimentally observed liquid penetration length and efforts were made to understand the influence of ultra-high injection pressures on spray development. The calibrated models were then used to investigate the impact of ultra-high injection pressures on mean droplet sizes, droplet size distribution, spray-induced large-scale eddies and entrainment rate.\ua0The results showed that, at ultra-high injection pressures, the mean droplet sizes were significantly reduced and the droplets achieving very high\ua0 velocities. Integral length scales of spray-induced turbulence and air entrainment rate were better for the divergent-shaped injector, and considerably larger at higher injection pressures compared to lower ones.In the second part of the study, four consecutive full-cycle cold flow LES simulations were carried out to generate realistic turbulence inside the engine cylinder. The first three cycles were ignored, with the fourth cycle being used to model the injection of the fuel using the divergent-shaped injector only (which was found to be better in the previous part of this study) at different injection pressures. In addition to the continuous gas phase (Eulerian) and the dispersed liquid (Lagrangian), the liquid film feature (Finite-Area) was used to model the impingement of fuel spray on the engine walls and subsequent liquid film formation. The simulation results\ua0were used to evaluate spray-induced turbulence, fuel-air mixing efficiency and the amount of liquid mass deposited on the walls. The limitation of the high-pressure injection technique with respect to liquid film formation was optimized using a start of injection (SOI) sweep. Overall results showed that the mixing efficiency increased at high injection pressure and that SOI should occur between early injection and late injection to optimize the amount of mass being deposited on the engine walls

Studies on SI engine simulation and air/fuel ratio control systems design

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.More stringent Euro 6 and LEV III emission standards will immediately begin execution on 2014 and 2015 respectively. Accurate air/fuel ratio control can effectively reduce vehicle emission. The simulation of engine dynamic system is a very powerful method for developing and analysing engine and engine controller. Currently, most engine air/fuel ratio control used look-up table combined with proportional and integral (PI) control and this is not robust to system uncertainty and time varying effects. This thesis first develops a simulation package for a port injection spark-ignition engine and this package include engine dynamics, vehicle dynamics as well as driving cycle selection module. The simulations results are very close to the data obtained from laboratory experiments. New controllers have been proposed to control air/fuel ratio in spark ignition engines to maximize the fuel economy while minimizing exhaust emissions. The PID control and fuzzy control methods have been combined into a fuzzy PID control and the effectiveness of this new controller has been demonstrated by simulation tests. A new neural network based predictive control is then designed for further performance improvements. It is based on the combination of inverse control and predictive control methods. The network is trained offline in which the control output is modified to compensate control errors. The simulation evaluations have shown that the new neural controller can greatly improve control air/fuel ratio performance. The test also revealed that the improved AFR control performance can effectively restrict engine harmful emissions into atmosphere, these reduce emissions are important to satisfy more stringent emission standards

In-cylinder fuel and lubricant effects on gasoline engine friction

The purpose of the research reported in this thesis was to investigate the viability and quantify the potential gains of improving fuel economy of the gasoline engine through strategic application of additives. An increased awareness of the link between greenhouse gas emissions and global warming means that there is a desire to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from transportation. There is therefore a growing emphasis on improving the fuel economy performance of vehicles. The addition of friction modifier additives to the fuel is one way to achieve this. Using bespoke in-cylinder sampling techniques, an understanding of the operation of the piston assembly, a system responsible for much of the power loss in the internal combustion engine, is developed. Validation is given to the hypothesis that fuel economy gains can be achieved through the application of friction modifier administered to the engine via the gasoline. Results show gasoline administered friction modifier additive can accumulate in the piston assembly lubricant at levels 77 times greater than the initial fuel treatment level. The performance of a large number of friction modifier additives were uniquely screened in a novel bench-top test which simulated the arduous in-cylinder conditions found in a firing gasoline engine. The test generated vast amounts of information which led to high performance formulations capable of reducing the friction coefficient in both the boundary and mixed lubrication regimes by around 50% when compared with the result for the base oil alone. Surface analysis techniques were also employed 0!l engineering surfaces coated with friction modifier additives and add to the knowledge of their mechanism of action. Finally a series of engine tests were conducted which prove the effectiveness of friction modifier administered to the engine via the gasoline. A fuel economy improvement of approximately 2% was seen where friction modifier gasoline was employed. Application of successful technology such as this is shown to correspond to the projected saving of around 502 million litres of gasoline and 388,000 tonnes of carbon (C02) per year in the UK alone

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

14th International Conference on Turbochargers and Turbocharging

14th International Conference on Turbochargers and Turbocharging addresses current and novel turbocharging system choices and components with a renewed emphasis to address the challenges posed by emission regulations and market trends. The contributions focus on the development of air management solutions and waste heat recovery ideas to support thermal propulsion systems leading to high thermal efficiency and low exhaust emissions. These can be in the form of internal combustion engines or other propulsion technologies (eg. Fuel cell) in both direct drive and hybridised configuration. 14th International Conference on Turbochargers and Turbocharging also provides a particular focus on turbochargers, superchargers, waste heat recovery turbines and related air managements components in both electrical and mechanical forms

Development of Integrated Models for Thermal Management in Hybrid Vehicles

[ES] En los últimos años, la industria de la automoción ha hecho un gran esfuerzo para producir sistemas de propulsión más eficientes y menos contaminantes sin menguar su rendimiento. Las nuevas regulaciones impuestas por las autoridades han empujado a la industria hacia la electrificación de los sistemas de propulsión mientras que las tecnologías desarrolladas para el sistema de propulsión convencional, basado en motores de combustión interna alternativos (MCIA), ya no son suficientes. El modelado numérico ha demostrado ser una herramienta indispensable para el diseño, desarrollo y optimización de sistemas de gestión térmica en trenes motrices electrificados, ahorrando costes y reduciendo el tiempo de desarrollo. La gestión térmica en los MCIA siempre ha sido importante para mejorar el consumo, las emisiones y la seguridad. Sin embargo, es todavía más importante en los sistemas de propulsión híbridos, a causa de la complejidad del sistema y al funcionamiento intermitente del MCIA. Además, los trenes motrices electrificados tienen varias fuentes de calor (es decir, MCIA, batería, máquina eléctrica) con diferentes requisitos de funcionamiento térmico. El objetivo principal de este trabajo ha sido desarrollar modelos térmicos para estudiar la mejora de los sistemas de gestión térmica en sistemas de propulsión electrificados (es decir, vehículo híbrido), estudiando y cuantificando la influencia de diferentes estrategias en el rendimiento, la seguridad y la eficiencia de los vehículos. La metodología desarrollada en este trabajo consistió tanto en la realización de experimentos como en el desarrollo de modelos numéricos. De hecho, se llevó a cabo una extensa campaña experimental para validar los diferentes modelos del tren motriz electrificado. Los datos obtenidos de las campañas experimentales sirvieron para calibrar y validar los modelos así como para corroborar los resultados obtenidos por los estudios numéricos. En primer lugar, se estudiaron las diferentes estrategias de gestión térmica de manera independiente para cada componente del tren motriz. Para el MCIA se estudió el uso de nanofluidos, el aislamiento del colector y puertos de escape, así como el cambio de volumen de sus circuitos hidráulicos. De igual forma, se evaluó el impacto de diferentes estrategias para la mejora térmica de las baterías. Además, el modelo de máquina eléctrica se utilizó para desarrollar pruebas experimentales que emulaban el daño térmico producido en ciclos reales de conducción. En segundo lugar, los modelos de tren motriz se integraron utilizando un estándar de co-simulación para evaluar el impacto de un sistema de gestión térmica integrado. Finalmente, se implementó un nuevo control del sistema de gestión de energía para evaluar el impacto de considerar el estado térmico del MCIA al momento de decidir la distribución de potencia del vehículo híbrido. Los resultados han demostrado que el uso de nanofluidos tiene un impacto muy limitado tanto en el MCIA como en el comportamiento térmico de la batería. Además, también mostraron que al reducir el volumen de refrigerante en un 45 %, la reducción en el tiempo de calentamiento del MCIA y el consumo de combustible en comparación con el caso baso fue del 7 % y del 0.4 %, respectivamente. Además, para condiciones de frio (7ºC), el impacto fue todavía mayor, obteniendo una reducción del tiempo de calentamiento y del consumo de combustible del 13 % y del 0.5 % respectivamente. Por otro lado, los resultados concluyeron que durante el calentamiento del MCIA, el sistema integrado de gestión térmica mejoró el consumo de energía en un 1.74 % y un 3 % para condiciones de calor (20ºC) y frío (-20ºC), respectivamente. Esto se debe al hecho que el sistema de gestión térmica integrado permite evitar la caída de temperatura del MCIA cuando el sistema de propulsión está en manera eléctrica pura.[CA] En els últims anys, la indústria de l'automoció ha fet un gran esforç per a produir sistemes de propulsió més eficients i menys contaminants sense minvar el seu rendiment. Les noves regulacions imposades per les autoritats han espentat a la indústria cap a l'electrificació dels sistemes de propulsió mentre que les tecnologies desenvolupades per al sistema de propulsió convencional, basat en motors de combustió interna alternatius (MCIA), ja no són suficients. El modelatge numèric ha demostrat ser una eina indispensable per al disseny, desenvolupament i optimització de sistemes de gestió tèrmica en trens motrius electrificats, estalviant costos i reduint el temps de desenvolupament. La gestió tèrmica en els MCIA sempre ha sigut important per a millorar el consum, les emissions i la seguretat. No obstant això, és encara més important en els sistemes de propulsió híbrids, a causa de la complexitat del sistema i al funcionament intermitent del MCIA. A més, els trens motrius electrificats tenen diverses fonts de calor (és a dir, MCIA, bateria, màquina elèctrica) amb diferents requisits de funcionament tèrmic. L'objectiu principal d'aquest treball va ser desenvolupar models tèrmics per a estudiar la millora dels sistemes de gestió tèrmica en sistemes de propulsió electrificats (és a dir, vehicle híbrid), estudiant i quantificant la influència de diferents estratègies en el rendiment, la seguretat i l'eficiència dels vehicles. La metodologia desenvolupada en aquest treball va consistir tant en la realització d'experiments com en el desenvolupament de models numèrics. De fet, es va dur a terme una extensa campanya experimental per a validar els diferents models del tren motriu electrificat. Les dades obtingudes de les campanyes experimentals van servir per a calibrar i validar els models així com per a corroborar els resultats obtinguts pels estudis numèrics. En primer lloc, es van estudiar les diferents estratègies de gestió tèrmica de manera independent per a cada component del tren motriu. Per al MCIA es va estudiar l'us de nanofluids, l'aïllament del col·lector i ports d'eixida així com el canvi de volum dels seus circuits hidràulics. D'igual forma, es va avaluar l'impacte de diferents estratègies per a la millora tèrmica de les bateries. A més, el model de màquina elèctrica es va utilitzar per a desenvolupar proves experimentals que emulaven el mal tèrmic produït en cicles reals de conducció. En segon lloc, els models de tren motriu es van integrar utilitzant un estàndard de co-simulació per a avaluar l'impacte d'un sistema de gestió tèrmica integrat. Finalment, es va implementar un nou control del sistema de gestió d'energia per a avaluar l'impacte de considerar l'estat tèrmic del MCIA al moment de decidir la distribució de potència del vehicle híbrid. Els resultats han demostrat que l'us de nanofluids té un impacte molt limitat tant en el MCIA com en el comportament tèrmic de la bateria. A més, també van mostrar que en reduir el volum de refrigerant en un 45 %, la reducció en el temps de calfament del MCIA i el consum de combustible en comparació amb el cas base va ser del 7 % i del 0.4 %, respectivament. A més, per a condicions de fred (-7ºC), l'impacte va ser encara major, obtenint una reducció del temps de calfament i del consum de combustible del 13 % i del 0.5 % respectivament. D'altra banda, els resultats van concloure que durant el calfament del MCIA, el sistema integrat de gestió tèrmica va millorar el consum d'energia en un 1.74 % i un 3 % per a condicions de calor (20ºC) i fred (-20ºC), respectivament. Això es deu al fet que el sistema de gestió tèrmica integrat permet evitar la caiguda de temperatura del MCIA quan el sistema de propulsió està en manera elèctrica pura.[EN] In recent years, the automotive industry has made a great effort to produce more efficient and less polluting propulsion systems without diminishing their performance. The new regulations imposed by the authorities have pushed the industry towards the electrification of powertrains while, technologies developed for the conventional propulsion system based on alternative internal combustion engines (ICEs), are no longer sufficient. Numerical modeling has proven to be an indispensable tool for the design, development and optimization of thermal management systems in electrified powertrains, saving costs and reducing development time. Thermal management in ICEs has always been important for improving consumption, emissions and safety. However, it is even more important in hybrid powertrains, due to the complexity of the system and the intermittent operation of the ICE. In addition, electrified powertrains have various heat sources (i.e., ICE, battery, Electric machine) with different thermal operating requirements. The main objective of this work was to develop thermal models to study the improvement of thermal management systems in electrified powertrains (i.e., hybrid electric vehicle), shedding light and quantifying the influence of different strategies on performance, safety and efficiency of the vehicles. The methodology developed in this paper consisted both in carrying out experiments and in developing numerical models. In fact, an extensive experimental campaign was carried out to validate the various models of the electrified powertrain. The data obtained from the experimental campaigns served to calibrate and validate the models as well as to corroborate the results obtained by the numerical studies. Firstly, the different thermal management strategies were studied independently for each component of the powertrain. For the ICE, the use of nanofluids, insulation of exhaust manifold and ports as well as the volume change of its hydraulic circuits were studied. Similarly, the impact of different strategies for the thermal improvement of batteries was evaluated. Furthermore, the electric machine model was used for developing experimental tests which emulated the thermal damage produced in real driving cycles. Secondly, the powertrain models were integrated using a co-simulation standard to assess the impact of an integrated thermal management system. Finally, a new control energy management system was implemented to assess the impact of considering the ICE thermal state when deciding the power split of the hybrid vehicle. The results have shown that the use of nanofluids has a very limited impact on both the ICE and the battery's thermal behaviour. In addition, they also showed that by reducing the volume of coolant by 45 %, the reduction in ICE warm up time and fuel consumption compared to the base case were 7 % and 0.4 %, respectively. In addition, for cold conditions (-7ºC), the impact was even greater, obtaining a reduction in warm up time and fuel consumption of 13 % and 0.5 % respectively. On the other hand, the results concluded that during the warming of ICE, the integrated thermal management system improved energy consumption by 1.74 % and 3 % for warm (20ºC) and cold (-20ºC) conditions, respectively. This is because the integrated TMS makes it possible to prevent the ICE temperature drop when the powertrain is in pure electric mode. Finally, significant gains during Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycles (WLTC) and Real Driving Emissions (RDE) cycles were observed when the ICE thermal state was chosen when deciding the power distribution.The author would like to sincerely acknowledge the founding support pro- vided by Conselleria de Innovación, Universidades, Ciencia y Sociedad Digital in the framework of the Ayuda Predoctoral GVA. (ACIF/2020/234). Additionally the author would also acknowledge the support provided by Renault S.A.S.Dreif Bennany, A. (2023). Development of Integrated Models for Thermal Management in Hybrid Vehicles [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/19406

Analysis of injection, mixture formation and combustion processes for innovative CNG Engines

Natural gas is a promising alternative fuel for internal combustion engines application due to its low carbon content and high knock resistance. The work presented in this thesis deals with the fluid dynamics, experimental study and optimization of different technologies aimed at exploiting the potentials of such fuel at best. The first section of the work is aimed at the combustion chamber optimization with the focus on the combustion stability. The engine considered in the study is a prototype specifically dedicated to CNG. It features a variable valve actuation system and has been released with different and very high compression ratios ranging from 12 to 14. An innovative experimental methodology based on hot wire anemometry (HWA) purposely developed by Centro Ricerche Fiat (CRF) has been adopted for the characterization of the steady-state tumble. The HWA method has been validated against the well-known Ricardo method and is used as a basis for the development and validation of a numerical “virtual flow bench”. The numerical model has been used to gain a deeper insight into the fluid dynamic phenomena and to replace the experimental campaign considering a head variant and quantifying its tumbling and volumetric performances. A transient 3D CFD analysis for the complete engine cycle has been performed in order to evaluate the effect on the combustion process of different compression ratios and head designs.The results showed that the HWA technique represents a factual alternative to the integral technique for the tumble characterization. The “Virtual flow box” model turned out to be accurate enough to evaluate the main flow motions induced by the head design and to be a valid tool complementary to the experimental method. Finally, the transient model used in combination with the ECFM-3z combustion model is fairly accurate for the comparative analysis between different engine designs and/or valve actuations. Despite the main findings of the flow model activity, importance should also be placed onto advanced technologies for natural gas engines such as direct injection. Thus, the second section is aimed at the numerical study of a natural gas direct injection engine. The numerical complexity caused by the high pressure ratio at nozzle exit has been faced using an accurate mesh procedure able to correctly capture the formation of shocks structures. Moreover, the actual needle geometry and the realistic needle movement has been taken into account in order to correctly simulate the opening and closing transient. The final mix and turbulence level has been evaluated comparing two engine prototypes and considering several injection strategies. Finally, a qualitative validation of the computational model has been performed comparing the simulation results with the available experimental data obtained through the PLIF procedure on an equivalent optical engine. The CFD model resulted to be accurate in the prediction of the mixing quality and it shows to be a reliable tool for the analysis of the main mixing mechanism and so for the assessment of the best injection strategy