Influence of nozzle geometry on ignition and combustion for high-speed direct injection diesel engines under cold start conditions

Starting at low temperatures (below 0 °C) is an important issue for current and near future diesel engine technology. Low ambient temperature causes long cranking periods or complete misfiring in small diesel engines and, as a consequence, an increased amount of pollutant emissions. This paper is devoted to study the influence of nozzle geometry on ignition and combustion progression under glow-plug aided cold start conditions. This study has been carried out in an optically accessible engine adapted to reproduce in-cylinder conditions corresponding to those of a real engine during start at low ambient temperature. The cold start problem can be divided in two parts in which nozzle geometry has influence: ignition and main combustion progress. Ignition probability decreases if fuel injection velocity is increased or if the amount of injected mass per orifice is reduced, which is induced by nozzles with smaller hole diameter or higher orifice number, respectively. Combustion rates increase when using nozzles which induce a higher momentum, improving mixture conditions. For these reasons, the solution under these conditions necessarily involves a trade-off between ignition and combustion progress.Authors thank the Spanish Ministry of Innovation and Science for the financial support through the project OPTICOMB (reference code: TRA2007-67961-C03-C01). Authors also thank Daniel Lerida Sanchez de las Heras for his outstanding work in the facility set-up and adaptation and for his support during the tests.Desantes Fernández, JM.; García Oliver, JM.; Pastor Enguídanos, JM.; Ramírez Hernández, JG. (2011). Influence of nozzle geometry on ignition and combustion for high-speed direct injection diesel engines under cold start conditions. Fuel. 90(11):3359-3368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2011.06.006S33593368901

Combining magneto-hydrostatic constraints with Stokes profiles inversions: III. Uncertainty in the inference of electric currents

Electric currents play an important role in the energy balance of the plasma in the solar atmosphere. They are also indicative of non-potential magnetic fields and magnetic reconnection. Unfortunately, the direct measuring of electric currents has traditionally been riddled with inaccuracies. Aims. We study how accurately we can infer electric currents under different scenarios. Methods. We carry out increasingly complex inversions of the radiative transfer equation for polarized light applied to Stokes profiles synthesized from radiative three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations. The inversion yields the magnetic field vector. B. from which the electric current density, ./, is derived by applying Ampere's law. Results. We find that the retrieval of the electric current density is only slightly affected by photon noise or spectral resolution. However, the retrieval steadily improves as the Stokes inversion becomes increasingly elaborated. In the least complex case (a Milne- Eddington-like inversion applied to a single spectral region), it is possible to determine the individual components of the electric current density (jx, jy, jz) with an accuracy of cr = 0.90 - l.OOdex, whereas the modulus (|[/) can only be determined with cr - 0.75 dex. In the most complicated case (with multiple spectral regions, a large number of nodes, Tikhonov vertical regularization, and magnetohydrostatic equilibrium), these numbers improve to cr - 0.70-0.75 dex for the individual components and cr = 0.5 dex for the modulus. Moreover, in regions where the magnetic field is above 300 gauss, \\j\\ can be inferred with an accuracy of cr - 0.3 dex. In general, the x and y components of the electric current density are retrieved slightly better than the z component. In addition, the modulus of the electric current density is the best retrieved parameter of all, and thus it can potentially be used to detect regions of enhanced Joule heating. Conclusions. The fact that the accuracy does not worsen with decreasing spectral resolution or increasing photon noise, and instead increases as the Stokes inversion complexity grows, suggests that the main source of errors in the determination of electric currents is the lack of realism in the inversion model employed to determine variations in the magnetic field along the line of sight at scales smaller than the photon mean-free path, along with the intrinsic limitations of the model due to radiative transfer effects

El choque cultural académico del alumnado estadounidense en la universidad española

The process of internationalization of university studies has contributed to a consistent increase in the number of foreign students currently enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Spanish speaking universities where the target language in the classroom (i.e. Spanish) is the second language of the foreign student body. This phenomenon lends itself to many different interesting research angles, one of which is explored in this article. Throughout this work our objective is to determine if American students who directly enroll in the Spanish university system through a Study Abroad program experience some type of academic culture shock, and if so, in what way is this experienced and to what degree. In order to achieve this objective we employed qualitative methodology to design a survey that was then sent to all five offices of a Study Abroad program located in Spain (in Madrid, Alicante, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Seville). The study took place during the 2015-2016 academic year with a total number of 95 participants. The results proved that there is a significant "clash" in academic culture (which we discuss in detail throughout this article) caused by the differences that the Spanish academic culture and university system present to this group of students, as well as a general lack of prior knowledge in this regard on the part of the American student body. We believe that this type of research will not only help to alleviate these issues, but also create a clear path for future research that will inevitably continue to contribute advancements to this practically unexplored territory. [Full Text in Spanish

Ignition and combustion development for high speed direct injection diesel engines under low temperature cold start conditions

Diesel engine cold start is an important issue for current technology at low (below 0 °C) temperatures and for future applications. The aim of this work is to develop a description of how, when and where does fuel spray ignition occur in a glow-plug assisted engine under simulated low temperature cold start conditions. In-cylinder pressure analysis is combined with high speed visualization in an optical engine. A pilot plus main injection strategy is used. Visualization results show that pilot ignition occurs in the vicinity of the glow plug, and strongly influences main combustion initiation. Main combustion starts from the pilot flame, and propagates to the rest of the combustion chamber showing a strong visible reaction zone. After end of main injection, the rapid leaning of the mixture suppresses the strong radiation, and OH radiation is observed to progress to the rest of the combustion chamber. The combustion process shows a strong scattering, which has been quantified by combustion parameters. At higher rail pressures scattering increases, which eventually inhibits combustion initiation. However, if ignition occurs at higher rail pressures, cycle performance is better.Authors thank the Spanish Ministry of Innovation and Science for the financial support through the project OPTICOMB (reference code: TRA2007-67961-C03-C01). Authors also thank Daniel Lerida Sanchez de las Heras for his outstanding work in the facility set-up and adaptation and for his support during the tests.Pastor Soriano, JV.; García Oliver, JM.; Pastor Enguídanos, JM.; Ramírez Hernández, JG. (2011). Ignition and combustion development for high speed direct injection diesel engines under low temperature cold start conditions. Fuel. 90(4):1556-1566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2011.01.008S1556156690

Fuel effect on the liquid-phase penetration of an evaporating spray under transient diesel-like conditions

Measurements of the maximum liquid-phase penetration have been performed injecting five different fuels through a single-hole nozzle in an optical engine under a large set of thermodynamic and injection conditions. The focus of this paper is twofold. First, it intends to study fuel physical properties on liquid-phase fuel penetration. The choice made on Fischer-Tropsch diesel (FTD) and biodiesel fuels has been highly motivated by their potential to be, at short or middle term, possible substitutes to the conventional diesel fuel. Extensive characterization of fuel physical and chemical properties under ambient conditions are provided and related to the liquid-phase penetration in order to provide an accessible tool to predict liquid spray behavior based on cheap, off-engine measurements. Fischer-Tropsch fuels appeared to be the easiest to vaporize while biodiesel blends were getting always harder to vaporize as the Rapeseed Methyl Ester (RME) rate was increased. The second objective of this work is to study the time-response of liquid-phase penetration when subjected to density and temperature variations. Injections of 8 ms at three different pressures have been performed in transient diesel-like conditions with density and temperature time derivatives up to 2000 kg m -3 s -1 and 20,000 K s -1. In most cases, the spray appeared to closely follow predictions made from empirical models built out of steady-state ambient conditions, leading to the conclusion of an instantaneous adjustment of the spray to its environment, validating: (1) the hypothesis made in 1D spray models; (2) the use of empirical models in unsteady-state environment when obtained under steady-state conditions.The authors wish to acknowledge the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science for the financial support through the OPTICOMB project (TRA2007-67961-C03-01) and Jean-Guillaume Nerva's Grant (BES-2008-004420). The authors would also like to thank Daniel Lerida for the management of the facility and his assistance in data acquisition.Pastor Soriano, JV.; García Oliver, JM.; Nerva, J.; Giménez, B. (2011). Fuel effect on the liquid-phase penetration of an evaporating spray under transient diesel-like conditions. Fuel. 90(11):3369-3381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2011.05.006S33693381901

Duración de la gestación en el ganado vacuno de raza Retinta

Este trabajo ha sido extraído de la tesina de licenciatura "Duración de la gestación en el ganado vacuno Retinto: Aplicación práctica en el plan de mejora", realizada por J. M. Pastor y dirigida por A. Molina. Esta fue delendida en la Universidad de Córdoba en 1996, obteniendo la calificación de Sobresaliente

Extracellular vesicles from airway secretions: New insights in lung diseases

Lung diseases (LD) are one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Although it is known that chronic airway inflammation and excessive tissue repair are processes associated with LD such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or idiopathic pulmonary fibro-sis (IPF), their specific pathways remain unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are heterogeneous na-noscale membrane vesicles with an important role in cell-to-cell communication. EVs are present in general biofluids as plasma or urine but also in secretions of the airway as bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), induced sputum (IS), nasal lavage (NL) or pharyngeal lavage. Alterations of airway EV cargo could be crucial for understanding LD. Airway EVs have shown a role in the pathogenesis of some LD such as eosinophil increase in asthma, the promotion of lung cancer in vitro models in COPD and as biomarkers to distinguishing IPF in patients with diffuse lung diseases. In addition, they also have a promising future as therapeutics for LD. In this review, we focus on the importance of airway secretions in LD, the pivotal role of EVs from those secretions on their pathophysiology and their potential for biomarker discovery

Analysis of the boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE) of a liquefied natural gas road tanker: The Zarzalico accident

The road accident of a tanker transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) originated a fire and, finally, the BLEVE of the tank. This accident has been analyzed, both from the point of view of the emergency management and the explosion and fireball effects. The accidental sequence is described: fire, LNG release, further safety valves release, flames impingement on vessel unprotected wall, vessel failure mode, explosion and fireball. According to the effects and consequences observed, the thermal radiation and overpressure are estimated; a mathematical model is applied to calculate the probable mass contained in the vessel at the moment of the explosion. The peak overpressure predicted from two models is compared with the values inferred from the accident observed data. The emergency management is commented. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Soot temperature characterization of spray a flames by combined extinction and radiation methodology

[EN] Even though different optical techniques have been applied on 'Spray A' in-flame soot quantification within Engine Combustion Network in recent years, little information can be found for soot temperature measurement. In this study, a combined extinction and radiation methodology has been developed with different wavelengths and applied on quasi-steady Diesel flame to obtain the soot amount and temperature distribution simultaneously by considering self-absorption issues. All the measurements were conducted in a constant pressure combustion chamber. The fuel as well as the operating conditions and the injector used were chosen following the guidelines of the Engine Combustion Network. Uncertainty caused by wavelength selection was evaluated. Additionally, temperature-equivalence ratio maps were constructed by combining the measurements with a 1D spray model. Temperature fields during the quasi-steady combustion phase show peak temperatures around the limit of the radiation field, in agreement with a typical diffusion flame structure. Effects of different operating parameters on soot formation and temperature were investigated. Soot temperature increases dramatically with oxygen concentration, but it shows much less sensitivity with ambient temperature and injection pressure, which on the other hand have significant effects on soot production. (C) 2019 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.This study was partially funded by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad from Spain in the frame of the CHEST Project (TRA2017-89139-C2-1-R) and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2018M642176). This study was also partially supported by State Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University.Xuan, T.; Desantes J.M.; Pastor, JV.; García-Oliver, JM. (2019). Soot temperature characterization of spray a flames by combined extinction and radiation methodology. Combustion and Flame. 204:290-303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2019.03.02329030320