Investigation of transition between spark ignition and controlled auto-ignition combustion in a V6 direct-injection engine with cam profile switching

Controlled auto-ignition (CAI) combustion, also known as Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) can be achieved by trapping residuals with early exhaust valve closure in a direct fuel injection in-cylinder four-stroke gasoline engines (through the employment of low-lift cam profiles). Due to the operating region being limited to low and mid-load operation for CAI combustion with a low-lift cam profile, it is important to be able to operate SI combustion at high-load with a normal cam profile. A 3.0L prototype engine was modified to achieve CAI combustion, using a Cam Profile Switching mechanism which has the capability to switch between high and low-lift cam-profiles. A strategy was used where a high-profile could be used for SI combustion and a low-lift profile was used for CAI combustion. Initial analysis showed that for transitioning from SI to CAI combustion, misfire occurred on the first CAI transitional cycle. Subsequent experiments showed that the throttle opening position and switching time could be controlled avoiding misfire. Further work investigated transitioning at different loads and from CAI to SI combustion

Understanding the influence of valve timings on controlled autoignition combustion in a four-stroke port fuel injection engine

Controlled autoignition (CAI) combustion, also known as homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI), was achieved through the negative valve overlap approach by using small-lift camshafts. Three-dimensional multicycle engine simulations were carried out in order better to understand the effects of variable intake valve timings on the gas exchange process, mixing quality, CAI combustion, and pollutant formation in a four-stroke port fuel injection (PFI) gasoline engine. Full engine cycle simulation, including complete gas exchange and combustion processes, was carried out over several cycles in order to obtain the stable cycle for analysis. The combustion models used in the present study are a modified shell ignition model and a laminar and turbulent characteristic time model, which can take high residual gas fraction into account. After the validation of the model against experimental data, investigations of the effects of variable intake valve timing strategies on the CAI combustion process were carried out. These analyses show that the intake valve opening (WO) and intake valve closing (IVC) timings have a strong influence on the gas exchange and mixing processes in the cylinder, which in turn affect the engine performance and emissions. Symmetric IVO timing relative to exhaust valve closing (EVC) timing tends to produce a more stratified mixture, earlier ignition timing, and localized combustion, and hence higher NO, and lower unburned HC and CO emissions, whereas retarded WO leads to faster mixing, a more homogeneous mixture, and uniform temperature distribution

Effects of spark-assistance on controlled auto-ignition combustion at different injection timings in a multicylinder direct-injection gasoline engine

Controlled auto-ignition (CAI) combustion, also known as homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) can be achieved by trapping residuals with early exhaust valve closure in a direct fuel injection in-cylinder four-stroke gasoline engines. CAI combustion is achieved by auto-ignition independent of spark discharge. However, it is found that, at loads with reduced trapped residuals, the presence of spark influences combustion. Therefore the effects of spark timing on the CAI combustion process were investigated through the introduction of spark. The effect on engine performance and the emission specific values were evaluated. The engine speed was maintained at 1500r/min and lambda was kept constant at 1.2. It was found that with spark-assisted CAI, indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP), and indicated specific oxides of nitrogen (ISNOx) values increased as compared with CAI without spark. ISHC and ISCO values were lower for spark-assisted CAI as compared with CAI without spark. Heat release data were analysed to better understand this phenomenon. © 2009 IMechE

Risk Assessment of Combined Exposure to Multiple Chemicals at the European Food Safety Authority: Principles, Guidance Documents, Applications and Future Challenges

Human health and animal health risk assessment of combined exposure to multiple chemicals use the same steps as single-substance risk assessment, namely problem formulation, exposure assessment, hazard assessment and risk characterisation. The main unique feature of combined RA is the assessment of combined exposure, toxicity and risk. Recently, the Scientific Committee of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published two relevant guidance documents. The first one “Harmonised methodologies for the human health, animal health and ecological risk assessment of combined exposure to multiple chemicals” provides principles and explores methodologies for all steps of risk assessment together with a reporting table. This guidance supports also the default assumption that dose addition is applied for combined toxicity of the chemicals unless evidence for response addition or interactions (antagonism or synergism) is available. The second guidance document provides an account of the scientific criteria to group chemicals in assessment groups using hazard-driven criteria and prioritisation methods, i.e., exposure-driven and risk-based approaches. This manuscript describes such principles, provides a brief description of EFSA’s guidance documents, examples of applications in the human health and animal health area and concludes with a discussion on future challenges in this field