Ronald Reese

Autoignition Characteristics of Primary Reference Fuels and their Mixtures

This study investigates the autoignition of Primary Reference Fuels (PRFs) using a detailed kinetic model. The chemical kinetics software CHEMKIN is used to facilitate solutions in a constant volume reactor and a variable volume reactor, with the latter representing an IC engine. Experimental shock tube and HCCI engine data from literature is compared with the present predictions in these two reactors. The model is then used to conduct a parametric study in the constant volume reactor of the effect of inlet pressure, inlet temperature, octane number, fuel/air equivalence ratio, and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on the autoignition of PRF/air mixtures. A number of interesting characteristics are demonstrated in the parametric study. In particular, it is observed that PRFs can exhibit single or two stage ignition depending on the inlet temperature. The total ignition delay, whether single or two stage, is correlated with n-C7H16/O2 ratio. Thermodynamic and chemical effects are identified for the EGR constituents CO2, H2O, and N2. The former effect is due to the difference in specific heats and is well known. Introduction of each diluent reduces the mole fraction of O2 which has the chemical effect of delaying ignition. In addition, H2O as a diluent is shown to directly affect key species and reactions involved in high temperature kinetics, resulting in the enhancement of the ignition process relative to N2.

Ignition Delay Correlation for Predicting Autoignition of a Toluene Reference Fuel Blend in Spark Ignition Engines

An ignition delay correlation was developed for a toluene reference fuel (TRF) blend that is representative of automotive gasoline fuels exhibiting two-stage ignition. Ignition delay times for the autoignition of a TRF 91 blend with an antiknock index of 91 were predicted through extensive chemical kinetic modeling in CHEMKIN for a constant volume reactor. The development of the correlation involved determining nonlinear least squares curve fits for these ignition delay predictions corresponding to different inlet pressures and temperatures, a number of fuel-air equivalence ratios, and a range of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rates. In addition to NO X control, EGR is increasingly being utilized for managing combustion phasing in spark ignition (SI) engines to mitigate knock. Therefore, along with other operating parameters, the effects of EGR on autoignition have been incorporated in the correlation to address the need for predicting ignition delay in SI engines operating with EGR. Unlike the ignition delay expressions available in literature for primary reference fuel blends, the correlation developed in the present study can predict ignition delay for a TRF blend, a more realistic gasoline surrogate.

Numerical Study of the Combustion Characteristics of a Diesel Micro Pilot Ignited DI Gasoline Engine With Turbocharging and Cooled EGR

Advanced technologies combining turbocharging, downsizing, direct injection, and cooled EGR are being intensively investigated in order to significantly improve the fuel economy of spark-ignition (SI) gasoline engines. To avoid the occurrence of knock and to improve the thermal efficiency, a significant fraction of EGR is often used. Due to the significant fraction of EGR, the ignition source needs to be enhanced to ensure high combustion stability. In addition to advanced spark-based solutions, diesel micro-pilot (DMP) technology has been proposed in recent years where the diesel fuel replaces the spark-plug as the ignition source.This paper studies the combustion characteristics of a diesel micro pilot ignited gasoline engine, employing direct injection of gasoline and diesel as well as turbocharging and cooled EGR. A multi-dimensional CFD code with a chemical kinetic calculation capability was extensively validated across the engine speed and load range in a previous study [1]. This paper explores the influence of a number of parameters on DMP combustion behavior, including: diesel pilot mass fraction, start of injection (SOI), DMP injection strategy, as well as EGR rate, air/fuel ratio, and DI gasoline/air mixture inhomogeneity.Besides, the comparison of DMP ignited combustion with traditional spark ignited combustion is also made in terms of EGR tolerance, lean burn limit, and DI gasoline air mixture inhomogeneity. Finally, numerical simulations aimed at optimizing both gasoline and diesel injection parameters, as well as EGR rate in order to enhance the engine performance in the DMP combustion mode, are discussed.Copyright