Heat transfer in HCCI multi-zone modeling: Validation of a new wall heat flux correlation under motoring conditions

The present study focuses on the development and a preliminary validation of a heat transfer model for the estimation of wall heat flux in HCCI engines via multi-zone modeling. The multi-zone model describes heat flow between zones and to the combustion chamber wall. Mass, species and enthalpy transfer, which affect the temperature field within the combustion chamber, are also considered between zones, accounting for the convective heat transfer terms. The multi-zone heat transfer model presented herein has been developed for HCCI combustion simulation and although it has been used in the past, its validation was based on cylinder pressure data under firing conditions. In the present study a more accurate validation of the model is conducted. This is achieved by comparing the multi-zone model heat loss rate predictions to the corresponding predictions of a validated CFD code. The cases examined correspond to actual motoring cases, against which the CFD code has been validated in a previous work. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis is presented, to assess the effect of the zone configuration, i.e. zone thickness and number, on the predicted heat loss rate and temperature profiles. In addition, a comparison is made between the results obtained from the proposed heat flux correlation and one in which the temperature gradient at the wall is approximated via finite differences.     

Investigating various effects of reformer gas enrichment on a natural gas-fueled HCCI combustion engine

Homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion has the potential to work with high thermal efficiency, low fuel consumption, and extremely low NO_x-PM emissions. In this study, zero-dimensional single-zone and quasi-dimensional multi-zone detailed chemical kinetics models were developed to predict and control an HCCI combustion engine fueled with a natural gas and reformer gas (RG) blend. The model was validated through experiments performed with a modified single-cylinder CFR engine. Both models were able to acceptably predict combustion initiation. The result shows that the chemical and thermodynamic effects of RG blending advance the start of combustion (SOC), whereas dilution retards SOC. In addition, the chemical effect was stronger than the dilution effect, which was in turn stronger than the thermal effect. Furthermore, it was found that the strength of the chemical effect was mainly dependent on H₂ content in RG. Moreover, the amount of RG and concentration of species (CO–H₂) were varied across a wide range of values to investigate their effects on the combustion behavior in an HCCI engine. It was found that the H₂ concentration in RG has a more significant effect on SOC at lower RG percentages in comparison with the CO concentration. However, in higher RG percentages, the CO mass concentration becomes more effective than H₂ in altering SOC.     

The effect of hydrogen addition on combustion and emission characteristics of an n-heptane fuelled HCCI engine

The mechanisms of the influence of hydrogen enrichment on the combustion and emission characteristics of an n-heptane fuelled homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine was numerically investigated using a multi-zone model. The model calculation successfully captured the most available experimental data. The results show that hydrogen addition retards combustion phasing of an n-heptane fuelled HCCI engine due to the dilution and chemical effects, with the dilution effect being more significant. It is because of the chemical effect that combustion duration is reduced at a constant compression ratio if an appropriate amount of hydrogen is added. As a result of retarded combustion phasing and reduced combustion duration, hydrogen addition increases indicated thermal efficiency at a constant combustion phasing. Hydrogen addition reduces indicated specific unburned hydrocarbon emissions, but slightly increases normalized unburned hydrocarbon emissions that are defined as the emissions per unit burned n-heptane mass. The increase in normalized unburned hydrocarbon emissions is caused by the presence of more remaining hydrocarbons that compete with hydrogen for some key radicals during high temperature combustion stage. At a given hydrogen addition level, N₂O emissions increases with overly retarding combustion phasing, but hydrogen addition moderates this increase in N₂O emissions.     

Analysis of combustion and pollutants formation in a direct injection diesel engine using a multi-zone model

A two-dimensional multi-zone model for the calculation of the closed cycle of a direct injection (DI) diesel engine is presented. The fuel spray is divided into small packages and the effect of air velocity pattern on spray development is taken into account. The calculation of swirl intensity variations during the cycle is based on hybrid solid body-boundary layer rotation scheme. Application of the mass, energy and state equations in each zone yields local temperatures and cylinder pressure histories. For calculating the concentration of constituents in the exhaust gases, a chemical equilibrium scheme is adopted for the C-H-O system of the eleven species considered, together with chemical rate equations for the calculation of nitric oxide (NO). A model for the evaluation of soot formation and oxidation rates is incorporated. A comparison is made between the theoretical results from the computer program implementing the analysis, with experimental results from a vast experimental investigation conducted on a direct injection, Lister-Petter diesel engine, with very encouraging results. Plots of temperature, equivalence ratio, NO and soot distributions inside the combustion chamber are presented, elucidating the physical mechanisms governing combustion and pollutants formation.     

Availability analysis of a syngas fueled spark ignition engine using a multi-zone combustion model

A previously developed and validated zero-dimensional, multi-zone, thermodynamic combustion model for the prediction of spark ignition (SI) engine performance and nitric oxide (NO) emissions has been extended to include second-law analysis. The main characteristic of the model is the division of the burned gas into several distinct zones, in order to account for the temperature and chemical species stratification developed in the burned gas during combustion. Within the framework of the multi-zone model, the various availability components constituting the total availability of each of the multiple zones of the simulation are identified and calculated separately. The model is applied to a multi-cylinder, four-stroke, turbocharged and aftercooled, natural gas (NG) SI gas engine running on synthesis gas (syngas) fuel. The major part of the unburned mixture availability consists of the chemical contribution, ranging from 98% at the inlet valve closing (IVC) event to 83% at the ignition timing of the total availability for the 100% load case, which is due to the presence of the combustible fuel. On the contrary, the multiple burned zones possess mainly thermomechanical availability. Specifically, again for the 100% load case, the total availability of the first burned zone at the exhaust valve opening (EVO) event consists of thermomechanical availability approximately by 90%, with similar percentages for all other burned zones. Two definitions of the combustion exergetic efficiency are used to explore the degree of reversibility of the combustion process in each of the multiple burned zones. It is revealed that the crucial factor determining the thermodynamic perfection of combustion in each burned zone is the level of the temperatures at which combustion occurs in the zone, with minor influence of the whole temperature history of the zone during the complete combustion phase. The availability analysis is extended to various engine loads. The engine in question is supplied with increasingly leaner mixtures as loads rise in order to keep the emitted nitrogen oxides (NO_x) low. Therefore, in-cylinder combustion temperatures are reduced, resulting in increased destruction of availability due to combustion and reduced availability losses due to heat transfer with the cylinder walls, when expressed as percentages of the fuel chemical availability. Specifically, when engine load increases from 40% to 100% of full load, with the relative air–fuel ratio also increasing from 1.56 to 1.83, the destroyed availability due to combustion rises from 14.19% to 15.02% of the fuel chemical availability, while the respective percentage of the cumulative availability loss due to heat transfer decreases from 13.37% to 9.05%.     

A new flame sheet model to reflect the influence of the oxidation of CO on the combustion of a carbon particle

A model with a moving flame front is proposed for the combustion of a carbon particle, taking into account the effect of CO oxidizing in the boundary layer around the particle. Using this model, the continuous transition of the effective combustion product from CO₂ under the ignition condition to CO under the condition of diffusion control has been successfully realized. Good agreement was obtained with the experimental measurements of Young and Niksa; such agreement could not be obtained using the customary single-film model.     

Numerical model for the performance prediction of a PEM fuel cell. Model results and experimental validation

This work presents a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model developed for a 50 cm² fuel cell with parallel and serpentine flow field bipolar plates, and its validation against experimental measurements. The numerical CFD model was developed using the commercial ANSYS FLUENT software, and the results obtained were compared with the experimental results in order to perform a model validation. A single parameter, namely the reference exchange current density, was fitted to calibrate the model results. All other model parameters were determined from technical data sheets, literature survey, or experimental measurements. A discussion on different validation issues and model parameters is provided. The results of the numerical model show a good agreement with the experimental measurements for the different bipolar plates and range of operating conditions analysed. However, inaccuracies in the results in the mass-transport polarization region were observed, presumably when liquid water in the channels produces a blockage effect that cannot be modelled with the multiphase flow model currently implemented.     

Micro-HCCI combustion: experimental characterization and development of a detailed chemical kinetic model with coupled piston motion

Recent experimental and modeling work concerning Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) combustion in small scales is presented. A zero-dimensional numerical model incorporating detailed chemical kinetics, heat transfer, blow-by, and a force balance is developed to interpret the experimental results and to explore HCCI combustion with a free-piston. The model consists of a new “Reactor Problem” for the sensitivity and kinetics component (Senkin) of the Chemkin software package. Following validation and interpretation of the experimental results, the model is used to conduct parametric studies. These studies and a non-dimensionalization of the governing equations yield parameters that characterize free-piston dynamics. These parameters are subsequently used to relate initial conditions to the percent mass lost.     

Estimation of sky luminance in the tropics using artificial neural networks: Modeling and performance comparison with the CIE model

An artificial neural network (ANN) model for estimating sky luminance was developed. A 3-year period (2007–2009) of sky luminance data obtained from measurements at Nakhon Pathom (13.82°N, 100.04°E) and a 1-year period (2008) of the same type of data at Songkhla (7.20°N, 100.60°E), Thailand were used in this study. The ANN model was trained using a back propagation algorithm, based on 2 years data (2007–2008) at Nakhon Pathom for clear, partly cloudy and overcast skies. The trained ANN model was used to predict sky luminance at Nakhon Pathom for the year 2009 for the case of clear, partly cloudy and overcast skies. The results were compared with those of the CIE model. It was found that the ANN model performed better than CIE models for most cases. The ANN model trained with Nakhon Pathom data were also used to predict sky luminance at Songkhla and satisfactory results were obtained.     

Natural and forced ventilation of buoyant gas released in a full-scale garage: Comparison of model predictions and experimental data

An increase in the number of hydrogen-fueled applications in the marketplace will require a better understanding of the potential for fires and explosion associated with the unintended release of hydrogen within a structure. Predicting the temporally evolving hydrogen concentration in a structure, with unknown release rates, leak sizes and leak locations is a challenging task. A simple analytical model was developed to predict the natural and forced mixing and dispersion of a buoyant gas released in a partially enclosed compartment with vents at multiple levels. The model is based on determining the instantaneous compartment over-pressure that drives the flow through the vents and assumes that the helium released under the automobile mixes fully with the surrounding air. Model predictions were compared with data from a series of experiments conducted to measure the volume fraction of a buoyant gas (at 8 different locations) released under an automobile placed in the center of a full-scale garage (6.8 m × 5.4 m × 2.4 m). Helium was used as a surrogate gas, for safety concerns. The rate of helium released under an automobile was scaled to represent 5 kg of hydrogen released over 4 h. CFD simulations were also performed to confirm the observed physical phenomena. Analytical model predictions for helium volume fraction compared favorably with measured experimental data for natural and forced ventilation. Parametric studies are presented to understand the effect of release rates, vent size and location on the predicted volume fraction in the garage. Results demonstrate the applicability of the model to effectively and rapidly reduce the flammable concentration of hydrogen in a compartment through forced ventilation.     

Transcritical CO2 refrigerator and sub‐critical R134a refrigerator: A comparison of the experimental results

This paper describes experiments comparing a commercial available R134a refrigeration plant subjected to a cold store and a prototype R744 (carbon dioxide) system working as a classical ‘split‐systems’ to cool air in residential applications in a transcritical cycle. Both plants are able to develope a refrigeration power equal to 3000 W. The R744 system utilizes aluminium heat exchangers, a semi‐hermetic compressor, a back‐pressure valve and a thermostatic expansion valve. The R134a refrigeration plant operates using a semi‐hermetic reciprocating compressor, an air condenser followed by a liquid receiver, a manifold with two expansion valves, a thermostatic one and a manual one mounted in parallel, and an air cooling evaporator inside the cold store. System performances are compared for two evaporation temperatures varying the temperature of the external air running over the gas‐cooler and over the condenser. The refrigeration load in the cold store is simulated by means of some electrical resistances, whereas the air evaporator of the R744 plant is placed in a very large ambient. The results of the comparison are discussed in terms of temperature of the refrigerants at the compressor discharge line, of refrigerants mass flow rate and of coefficient of performance (COP). The performances measured in terms of COPs show a decrease with respect to the R134a plant working at the same external and internal conditions. Further improvements regarding the components of the cycle are necessary to use in a large‐scale ‘split‐systems’ working with the carbon dioxide. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Co-firing hydrogen and dimethyl ether in a gas turbine model combustor: Influence of hydrogen content and comparison with methane

To promote the utilization of hydrogen (H₂) in existing gas turbines, dimethyl ether (DME) was used to co-fire with H₂ in a model combustor. The swirl combustion characteristics of DME/H₂ mixtures were measured under the varying H₂ content up to 0.7. The results show that the flow velocity elevates as the H₂ content increases, which is associated with the increased flame temperature. The OH level firstly increases and subsequently keeps nearly unchanged as the H₂ content increases. Meanwhile, the OH area nonlinearly increases with the increasing H₂ content. Moreover, the increasing H₂ content induces almost linearly decreased lean blowout limit (LBO), increased NO emission, and intensified combustion acoustics. Furthermore, the combustion characteristics of the 0.46DME/0.54H₂ mixture and CH₄ with the same volumetric heat value were compared. The 0.46DME/0.54H₂ flame displays lower LBO and higher NO emission than the CH₄ flame, which mainly results from the higher reactivity of 0.46DME/0.54H₂ mixture.     

Two improvements to the dynamic wake meandering model: including the effects of atmospheric shear on wake turbulence and incorporating turbulence build‐up in a row of wind turbines

The dynamic wake meandering (DWM) model is an engineering wake model designed to physically model the wake deficit evolution and the unsteady meandering that occurs in wind turbine wakes. The present study aims at improving two features of the model:

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