Numerical Estimation of Wiebe Function Parameters Using Artificial Neural Networks in SI Engine

[EN] In modeling an Internal Combustion Engine, the combustion sub-model plays a critical role in the overall simulation of the engine as it provides the Mass Fraction Burned (MFB). Analytically, the Heat Release Rate (HRR) can be obtained using the Wiebe function, which is nothing more than a mathematical formulation of the MFB. The mentioned function depends on the following four parameters: efficiency parameter, shape factor, crankshaft angle, and duration of the combustion. In this way, the Wiebe function can be adjusted to experimentally measured values of the mass fraction burned at various operating points using a least-squares regression, and thus obtaining specific values for the unknown parameters. Nevertheless, the main drawback of this approach is the requirement of testing the engine at a given engine load/speed condition. Furthermore, the main objective of this study is to propose a predictive model of the Wiebe parameters for any operating point of the tested SI engine. For this purpose, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is developed from the experimental data. A criterion was defined to choose the best-trained network. Finally, the Wiebe parameters are estimated with the neural networks for different operating conditions. Moreover, the mass fractions burned generated from the Wiebe functions are compared with the respective experimental values from several operating points measured in the engine test bench. Small differences were found between the estimated and experimental mass fractions burned. Therefore, the effectiveness of the developed ANN model as a prediction tool for the engine MFB is verified.Torregrosa, AJ.; Broatch, A.; Olmeda, P.; Aceros, S. (2021). Numerical Estimation of Wiebe Function Parameters Using Artificial Neural Networks in SI Engine. SAE International. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.4271/2021-01-037911

Development and Validation of a Submodel for Thermal Exchanges in the Hydraulic Circuits of a Global Engine Model

[EN] To face the current challenges of the automotive industry, there is a need for computational models capable to simulate the engine behavior under low-temperature and low-pressure conditions. Internal combustion engines are complex and have interconnected systems where many processes take place and influence each other. Thus, a global approach to engine simulation is suitable to study the entire engine performance. The circuits that distribute the hydraulic fluids -liquid fuels, coolants and lubricants- are critical subsystems of the engine. This work presents a 0D model which was developed and set up to make possible the simulation of hydraulic circuits in a global engine model. The model is capable of simulating flow and pressure distributions as well as heat transfer processes in a circuit. After its development, the thermo-hydraulic model was implemented in a physical based engine model called Virtual Engine Model (VEMOD), which takes into account all the relevant relations among subsystems. In the present paper, the thermo-hydraulic model is described and then it is used to simulate oil and coolant circuits of a diesel engine. The objective of the work is to validate the model under steady-state and transient operation, with focus on the thermal evolution of oil and coolant. For validation under steady-state conditions, 22 operating points were measured and simulated, some of them in cold environment. In general, good agreement was obtained between simulation and experiments. Next, the WLTP driving cycle was simulated starting from warmed-up conditions and from ambient temperature. Results were compared with the experiment, showing that modeled trends were close to those experimentally measured. Thermal evolutions of oil and coolant were predicted with mean errors between 0.7 °C and 2.1 °C. In particular, the warm-up phase was satisfactorily modeled.This research has been partially funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement 723976 (“DiePeR”) and by the Spanish government under the grant agreement TRA2017-89894-R. Josep SalvadorIborra was supported by Universitat Politècnica de València through the contract FPI-S2-2016-1357 of the program PAID01-16. The authors wish to thank Renault SAS, especially P. Mallet and E. Gaïffas, for supporting this research. Jaime Monfort San Segundo is acknowledged for his helpful collaboration in the code implementationBroatch, A.; Olmeda, P.; Martín, J.; Salvador-Iborra, J. (2018). Development and Validation of a Submodel for Thermal Exchanges in the Hydraulic Circuits of a Global Engine Model. SAE Technical Papers. https://doi.org/10.4271/2018-01-0160

Effect of Subinhibitory Concentrations of Antibiotics and Disinfectants on ISAba-Mediated Inactivation of Lipooligosaccharide Biosynthesis Genes in Acinetobacter baumannii

Inactivation of the lipooligosaccharide (LOS) biosynthesis genes lpxA, lpxC and lpxD by ISAba insertion elements results in high-level resistance to colistin in A. baumannii. In the present study, we quantify the rate of spontaneous insertional inactivation of LOS biosynthesis genes by ISAba elements in the ATCC 19606-type strain and two multidrug clinical isolates. Using insertional inactivation of lpxC by ISAba11 in the ATCC 19606 strain as a model, we determine the effect of several subinhibitory concentrations of the antibiotics, namely tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, meropenem, kanamycin and rifampicin, as well as the disinfectants ethanol and chlorhexidine on ISAba11 insertion frequencies. Notably, subinhibitory concentrations of tetracycline significantly increased ISAba11 insertion, and rifampicin completely inhibited the emergence of colistin resistance due to ISAba11 inactivation of lpxC. Sequencing of ISAba11 insertion sites within the lpxC gene demonstrated that insertions clustered between nucleotides 382 and 618 (58.3% of unique insertions detected), indicating that this may be a hotspot for ISAba11 insertion. The alignment of insertion sites revealed a semi-conserved AT-rich consensus sequence upstream of the ISAba11 insertion site, suggesting that ISAba11 insertion sites may be sequence-dependent. This study explores previously uncharacterized aspects regarding the acquisition of colistin resistance through insertional activation in LOS biosynthesis genes in A. baumannii.This research was supported by grants MPY 380/18 from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) awarded to M.J.M. A.C.L. is supported by the Atracción de Talento Program of the Community of Madrid.S

Assessment of the improvement of internal combustion engines cooling system using nanofluids and nanoencapsulated phase change materials

This is the author¿s version of a work that was accepted for publication in International Journal of Engine Research. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published as https://doi.org/10.1177/1468087420917494[EN] In recent years, due to the increasing need to reduce consumption of reciprocating internal combustion engines, new researches on different subsystems have raised. Among them, the use of nanofluids as a coolant medium seems to be an interesting alternative. In this work, the potential benefits of using nanofluids in the cooling system using an engine lumped model are studied. The methodology of the study starts with a whole description and validation of the model in both steady and transient conditions by means of a comparison with experimental results. Then, the potential benefits that could be obtained with the use of nanofluids are studied in a theoretical way. After that, the model is used to estimate the behavior of the system using different nanofluids in both stationary and transient conditions. The main results show that the advantages of using these new refrigerants are limited.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The equipment used in this work has been partially supported by FEDER project funds "Dotacion de infraestructuras cientifico tecnicas para el Centro Integral de Mejora Energetica y Medioambiental de Sistemas de Transporte (CiMeT)'' (grant number FEDER-ICTS-2012-06), framed in the operational program of unique scientific and technical infrastructure of the Spanish Government.Torregrosa, AJ.; Broatch, A.; Olmeda, P.; Dreif-Bennany, A. (2021). Assessment of the improvement of internal combustion engines cooling system using nanofluids and nanoencapsulated phase change materials. International Journal of Engine Research. 22(6):1939-1957. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468087420917494S1939195722

Evaluation of swirl effect on the Global Energy Balance of a HSDI Diesel engine

[EN] In the last years, a growing interest about increasing engine efficiency has led to the development of new engine technologies. Since air motion in the chamber is a key issue in internal combustion engines to improve the air-fuel mixing process and achieve faster burning rates, modern Diesel engines are designed to generate gas vorticity (swirl) that lead to enhanced turbulence in the combustion chamber. However, the use of swirl has a direct effect on fuel consumption due to the changes in the in-cylinder processes, affecting indicated efficiency, and also on the air management. An analysis, based on the engine Global Energy Balance (GEB), is presented to thoroughly assess the behavior of a high speed direct injection Diesel engine under variable swirl levels at different operating points. The tests have been performed keeping constant both the conditions at intake valve closing and combustion phasing, thus minimizing the variability due to in-cylinder conditions and the combustion process. The analysis includes a combination of theoretical (0D models) and experimental tools (heat rejection and wall temperature measurement) used to ensure control of in-cylinder conditions and to provide detailed explanation of the different phenomena affecting engine efficiency when swirl ratio is modified. Based on these tools, impact of swirl on the engine GEB is analyzed in detail paying special attention to engine efficiency and heat transfer in the chamber. Results show that increasing swirl has two main effects regarding the gross indicated efficiency (eta(i)): on one hand chamber heat rejection increases and therefore eta(i) diminishes about -0.5% at low load and 0.4% at high load; on the other hand combustion development is affected and thus a eta(i) improvement higher to 1.5% is achieved at low load and speed. The combination of these effects leads to a gross indicated efficiency increase higher to 1% at an optimum swirl ratio that diminishes when engine speed increases. In addition, pumping losses effect dominates brake efficiency behavior, which always diminishes (from 0.9% to 1.4%) when swirl increases. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The support of GM Global R&D and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (TRA2013-41348-R) is greatly acknowledged.Benajes, J.; Olmeda, P.; Martín, J.; Blanco-Cavero, D.; Warey, A. (2017). Evaluation of swirl effect on the Global Energy Balance of a HSDI Diesel engine. Energy. 122:168-181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2017.01.082S16818112

Experimental study of the influence of exhaust gas recirculation on heat transfer in the firedeck of a direct injection diesel engine

[EN] Emissions control is a key topic for internal combustion engine development. One of the most widespread technologies to reduce the formation of nitrogen oxides is the recirculation of exhaust gas to the engine intake. Besides, carbon dioxide emissions from internal combustion engines can be reduced by increasing engine efficiency. A relevant factor for engine efficiency is heat rejection. The interaction between heat transfer and exhaust gas recirculation is not fully understood. In this paper, an experimental study is presented which aims to shed light on the influence of high pressure exhaust gas recirculation on heat transfer. Three operating points were analyzed. Heat flux was calculated at several locations of the firedeck from temperature measurements. The results showed that the influence of exhaust gas recirculation on heat transfer was significant. Reductions of heat flux up to 18% were observed. The largest reduction was found in the area near the center of the firedeck. To contextualize the findings in the framework of emissions reduction, the trade-off between nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide was assessed for all test points.The authors acknowledge General Motors Global R&D for supporting this research. The equipment used in this work was partially supported by FEDER project funds Dotación de infraestructuras científico técnicas para el Centro Integral de Mejora Energética y Medioambiental de Sistemas de Transporte (CiMeT), (FEDER-ICTS-2012-06) , framed in the operational program of unique scientific and technical infrastructure of the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain. Josep Salvador-Iborra was partially supported through contract FPI-S2-2016-1357 of Programa de Apoyo para la Investigación y Desarrollo (PAID-01-16) of Universitat Politècnica de València.Torregrosa, AJ.; Broatch, A.; Olmeda, P.; Salvador-Iborra, J.; Warey, A. (2017). Experimental study of the influence of exhaust gas recirculation on heat transfer in the firedeck of a direct injection diesel engine. Energy Conversion and Management. 153:304-312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2017.10.003S30431215

Waste clay materials as pozzolanic additions

En: 1st Spanish National Conference on Advances in Materials Recycling and Eco – Energy Madrid, 12-13 November 2009.-- Editors: F. A. López, F. Puertas, F. J. Alguacil and A. Guerrero.-- 4 pages, 3 figures.The building materials industries have made improvements in manufacturing processes. However, with the implementation of quality systems, more compliance, with new standard more restrictive, and especially by the competition between products, it is inevitable that industries deemed a rejection of material unsuitable for marketing or materials waste. The wastes from the ceramic industry (ceramic waste) may have characteristics suitable for use as pozzolanic materials, as it is known that the first materials used as pozzolans were heat-treated clays, material like clay products.This research was funded by a Science and Technology Commission (CICYT) (Research Project AMB96-1095).Peer reviewe

Babesia microti-like en un perro inmunocompetente

La babesiosis canina es una enfermedad infecciosa de distribución mundial causada por parásitos intraeritrocitarios transmitidos por garrapatas. Si bien ha sido tradicionalmente asumido que sólo dos de las 73 especies de babesias identificadas causan enfermedad en la especie canina, Babesia canis y Babesia gibsoni, recientes publicaciones demuestran que una tercera especie (Babesia microti-like) también puede parasitar a perros. Este último parásito, genéticamente relacionado con Babesia microti, es el origen de una enfermedad endémica entre la población canina del noroeste de España. Este trabajo presenta un caso no experimental de esta forma de Babesia microti-like en un perro cocker spaniel de 9 años, sin antecedentes de inmunodeficiencia ni de esplenectomía, que se presenta en la clínica veterinaria con signos de hipertermia, hemoglobinuria, escalofríos y apatía. Una muy intensa parasitemia (24%), junto con trombopenia y una acusada anemia hemolítica regenerativa fueron los hallazgos más caractéristicos. En la extensión de sangre periférica se visualizaron múltiples merozoitos intraeritrocitarios (parasitemia de un 24%) de pequeño tamaño (1-2 um) y presentación única en cada hematíe. Cuarenta y ocho horas después del comienzo de los síntomas, y tras tratamiento específico con dipropionato de imidocarb el perro evolucionó hacia la curación

Respuesta de hipersensibilidad retardada en pacientes candidatos a artroplastia de cadera

Se estudiaron 100 pacientes escogidos de manera aleatoria de entre los candidatos a artroplastia de cadera (47 por fractura subcapital de fémur Garden IV, y 53 por coxartrosis). En el momento del ingresos se determinaron en sangre niveles de albúmina, proteínas totales y hemoglobina; y se midió la respuesta de hipersensibilidad retardada mediante la inoculación de siete antígenos de memoria con un aplicador Multitest® (Mérieux). La lectura de la reacción de induración se realizó a las 48 horas. Los pacientes fueron clasificados en: normoérgicos (+) a dos o más antígenos) y anérgicos (una o ninguna respuesta (+). La población normoérgica representó el 61% de los pacientes, con una edad 12,5 años menor que la población anérgica (p<0,001). Los pacientes normoérgicos presentaron cifras significativamente más altas de hemoglobina (p<0,001), proteínas totales (p<0,05) y albúmina (p<0,001). La situación de anergia fue más frecuente en el grupo de mujeres (29/57) frente al de hombres (10/43; p<0,001), y en el grupo de fracturas subcapitales (31/47) que en el de coxartrosis (8/53) (p<0,001). No se hallaron relaciones estadísticamente significativas entre los distintos parámetros estudiados y la aparición de infección en el postoperatorio. Las diferencias aparecidas reflejan alteraciones en la respuesta inmunológica que, sin embargo, no resultan pronósticas frente a la aparición de infección en nuestra serie.One hundred candidates for hip arthroplasty were chosen at random (47 Garden IV femoral neck fractures, and 53 osteoarthrosis). Before surgery, serum albumin, total proteins and haemoglobin were determined in peripheral blood. All patients were skin tested with seven memory antigens (Multitest®, Mérieux) in order to measure the delayed hypersensitivity response. The diameter of the resulting induration was measured 48 hours after injection. Patients were classified as reactive if they responded to one antigen or showed no response. Reactive patients supposed 61% of total, and anergic patients were 12,5 years older (p<0,001). Levels of haemoglobin (p<0,001), total proteins (p<0,05) and albumin (p<0,001) were higher in reactive patients. Anergy was more frequent in women (29/57) than in men (10/43; p<0,001), and in fractures (31/47) than in osteoarthrosis (8/53) (p<0,001). No association between the variables studied and postoperative infection was found. These differences show immunologic alterations. However, they have no prognostic value for postoperative infection in hip arthroplasty patients

A Combination of Swirl Ratio and Injection Strategy to Increase Engine Efficiency

[EN] Growing awareness about CO2 emissions and their environmental implications are leading to an increase in the importance of thermal efficiency as criteria to design internal combustion engines (ICE). Heat transfer to the combustion chamber walls contributes to a decrease in the indicated efficiency. A strategy explored in this study to mitigate this efficiency loss is to promote low swirl conditions in the combustion chamber by using low swirl ratios. A decrease in swirl ratio leads to a reduction in heat transfer, but unfortunately, it can also lead to worsening of combustion development and a decrease in the gross indicated efficiency. Moreover, pumping work plays also an important role due to the effect of reduced intake restriction to generate the swirl motion. Current research evaluates the effect of a dedicated injection strategy to enhance combustion process when low swirl is used. For this purpose, a combination of theoretical (0D and 1D models) and experimental tools were used. In particular, experiments were conducted in a single-cylinder direct-injection light-duty diesel engine. The analysis also included theoretical calculations to estimate pumping losses. Results show that an increase in swirl ratio leads to an increase in the gross indicated efficiency (balancing heat transfer losses and combustion improvement) but the higher pumping losses negate this positive benefit. In the lowest swirl ratio case, a suitable injection strategy based on multiple injections, together with an increase in the injection pressure, can provide similar gross indicated efficiency as high swirl ratio case while avoiding high pumping losses.The support of GM Global R&D and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (TRA2014-58870-R,) is greatly acknowledged.Olmeda, P.; Martín, J.; García Martínez, A.; Villalta-Lara, D.; Warey, A.; Doménech Llopis, V. (2017). A Combination of Swirl Ratio and Injection Strategy to Increase Engine Efficiency. SAE International Journal of Engines. 10(3):1-13. doi:10.4271/2017-01-0722S11310