An experimental study on the effect of hydrogen enrichment on diesel fueled HCCI combustion

This paper experimentally investigates the influence of hydrogen enrichment on the combustion and emission characteristics of a diesel HCCI engine using a modified Cooperative Fuel Research (CFR) engine. Three fuels, n-heptane and two middle distillates with cetane numbers of 46.6 and 36.6, are studied.The results show that hydrogen enrichment retards the combustion phasing and reduces the combustion duration of a diesel HCCI engine. Besides, hydrogen enrichment increases the power output and fuel conversion efficiency, and improves the combustion stability. However, hydrogen enrichment may narrow the operational compression ratio range and increase the knocking tendency. Both the overall indicated specific CO emissions (isCO) and CO emissions per unit burned diesel fuel mass are reduced by hydrogen enrichment. Although hydrogen enrichment decreases the overall indicated specific unburned hydrocarbon emissions (isHC), it does not significantly affect the HC emissions per unit burned diesel fuel mass.     

Progress and recent trends in homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines

HCCI combustion has been drawing the considerable attention due to high efficiency and lower nitrogen oxide (NO_x) and particulate matter (PM) emissions. However, there are still tough challenges in the successful operation of HCCI engines, such as controlling the combustion phasing, extending the operating range, and high unburned hydrocarbon and CO emissions. Massive research throughout the world has led to great progress in the control of HCCI combustion. The first thing paid attention to is that a great deal of fundamental theoretical research has been carried out. First, numerical simulation has become a good observation and a powerful tool to investigate HCCI and to develop control strategies for HCCI because of its greater flexibility and lower cost compared with engine experiments. Five types of models applied to HCCI engine modelling are discussed in the present paper. Second, HCCI can be applied to a variety of fuel types. Combustion phasing and operation range can be controlled by the modification of fuel characteristics. Third, it has been realized that advanced control strategies of fuel/air mixture are more important than simple homogeneous charge in the process of the controlling of HCCI combustion processes. The stratification strategy has the potential to extend the HCCI operation range to higher loads, and low temperature combustion (LTC) diluted by exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) has the potential to extend the operation range to high loads; even to full loads, for diesel engines. Fourth, optical diagnostics has been applied widely to reveal in-cylinder combustion processes. In addition, the key to diesel-fuelled HCCI combustion control is mixture preparation, while EGR is the main path to achieve gasoline-fuelled HCCI combustion. Specific strategies for diesel-fuelled, gasoline-fuelled and other alternative fuelled HCCI combustion are also discussed in the present paper.     

The influence of Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) on combustion and emissions of n-heptane/natural gas fueled Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engines

In Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) combustion, a lean premixed charge combusts simultaneously in multiple sites. Utilizing highly diluted mixtures, and lack of any significant flame propagation, in-cylinder NO_x formation is reduced. Making HCCI engine a feasible alternative to conventional engines requires several challenges to be resolved. Combustion timing control is one of the most important of these items. It should be done in order that heat is released at the most optimum phasing for efficiency and emissions. In this study, a Waukesha Cooperative Fuel Research (CFR) single cylinder research engine was used to be operated in HCCI combustion mode fueled by natural gas and n-heptane. The main goal of the experiments was to investigate the possibility of controlling combustion phasing and combustion duration using various Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) fractions. For the analysis of the results, a modified apparent heat release model was developed. The influence of EGR on emissions was discussed. Results indicate that applying EGR reduces mean charge temperature and has profound effect on combustion phasing, leading to a retarded Start of Combustion (SOC) and prolonged burn duration. Heat transfer rate decreases with EGR addition. Under examined condition EGR addition improved fuel economy, reduced NO_x emissions and increased HC and CO emissions.     

进气温度和过量空气系数对乙醇均质压燃燃烧过程的影响

在一台经过改进的CA6110发动机上,进行了进气温度和过量空气系数对乙醇燃料均质压燃燃烧过程影响的试验研究．结果表明,在转速和供油量一定时,随着进气温度的升高,着火始点提前,燃烧持续期变短,压力升高率变大,缸内的最大燃烧压力变大,指示效率提高,平均指示压力升高．当进气温度一定时,随着过量空气系数的减小,着火始点提前,燃烧持续期逐渐变短,压力升高率变大,缸内的最大燃烧压力变大,指示效率增加．     

A simulation of the combustion of hydrogen in HCCI engines using a 3D model with detailed chemical kinetics

The influence of changes in the swirl velocity of the intake mixture on the combustion processes within a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine fueled with hydrogen were investigated analytically. A turbulent transient 3D predictive computational model which was developed and applied to the HCCI engine combustion system, incorporated detailed chemical kinetics for the oxidation of hydrogen. The effects of changes in the initial intake swirl, temperature and pressure, engine speed and compression and equivalence ratios on the combustion characteristics of a hydrogen fuelled HCCI engine were also examined. It is shown that an increase in the initial flow swirl ratio or speed lengthens the delay period for autoignition and extends the combustion period while reducing NO_x emissions. There are optimum values of the initial swirl ratio and engine speed for a certain mixture intake temperature, pressure, compression and equivalence ratios operational conditions that can achieve high thermal efficiencies and low NO_x emissions while reducing the tendency to knock     

Energy efficiency trade‐off with phasing of HCCI combustion

Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion in diesel engines offers the potential of simultaneous low NOx and soot emissions. However, this is normally accompanied by high hydrocarbon (HC) levels in the exhaust and an early combustion phasing before the top‐dead‐center (TDC) that may drain out substantial amounts of fuel energy from the engine cycle. Exhaust gas recirculation is usually applied to delay the onset of combustion, thereby shifting the phasing of the heat release close to the TDC. Although the retarded phasing improves the engine energy efficiency, a significant increase in HC and carbon monoxide emissions will deteriorate the combustion efficiency. Therefore, an inherent trade‐off exists between the combustion phasing and the combustion efficiency that needs to be minimized for improved energy efficiency. In this work, both theoretical and experimental studies have been carried out to evaluate the combustion efficiency‐phasing (CEP) trade‐off. Engine tests have been conducted to analyze the losses in combustion (burning) and phasing efficiencies, and along with theoretical analyses, the CEP trade‐off has been evaluated in terms of a ‘coefficient of combustion inefficiency’ (CCI). The CCI quantitatively correlates the losses in combustion and phasing efficiencies and provides a reference for improving the combustion phasing of the HCCI operation vis‐à‐vis the combustibles in the exhaust. The focus of this research is to carry out a quantitative analysis of the energy efficiency of HCCI cycles. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ozone-assisted combustion of hydrogen: A comparison with isooctane

Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engines have the potential to achieve low emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter but the use of carbon-based fuels leads to significant emissions of carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon which hinder the widespread development of HCCI. Nonetheless, HCCI engines have also the potential to use various types of fuel such as hydrogen, a carbon free fuel. The present study examined hydrogen combustion in an HCCI engine comparing hydrogen with isooctane. The sensitivities of CA05, CA50 and ringing intensity to intake pressure, intake temperature and ozone were investigated for both fuels. Results highlighted that hydrogen autoignites more easily than isooctane despite its higher-octane number. Ozone seeding was therefore used to shift the combustion region of isooctane in order to perform a viable comparison between the two fuels while starting with the same initial conditions. From this point, all of the three parameters were found to promote the HCCI combustion of both fuels but greater sensitivities were observed for hydrogen than for isooctane. Ozone was observed to have the strongest influence, making it a good strategy for a future control approach. The noise level of hydrogen was very high due its high reactivity. Finally, the use of hydrogen together with ozone should enable a very clean engine cycle to be achieved cycle with only water and nitrogen as engine-out emissions.     

Fundamental phenomena affecting low temperature combustion and HCCI engines,high load limits and strategies for extending these limits

Low temperature combustion (LTC) engines are an emerging engine technology that offers an alternative to spark-ignited and diesel engines. One type of LTC engine, the homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine, uses a well-mixed fuel–air charge like spark-ignited engines and relies on compression ignition like diesel engines. Similar to diesel engines, the use of high compression ratios and removal of the throttling valve in HCCI allow for high efficiency operation, thereby allowing lower CO₂ emissions per unit of work delivered by the engine. The use of a highly diluted well-mixed fuel–air charge allows for low emissions of nitrogen oxides, soot and particulate matters, and the use of oxidation catalysts can allow low emissions of unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. As a result, HCCI offers the ability to achieve high efficiencies comparable with diesel while also allowing clean emissions while using relatively inexpensive aftertreatment technologies.     

Effects of fuel combination and IVO timing on combustion and emissions of a dual-fuel HCCI combustion engine

This paper experimentally and numerically studied the effects of fuel combination and intake valve opening (IVO) timing on combustion and emissions of an n-heptane and gasoline dual-fuel homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine. By changing the gasoline fraction (GF) from 0.1 to 0.5 and the IVO timing from –15°CA ATDC to 35°CA ATDC, the in-cylinder pressure traces, heat release behaviors, and HC and CO emissions were investigated. The results showed that both the increased GF and the retarded IVO timing delay the combustion phasing, lengthen the combustion duration, and decrease the peak heat release rate and the maximum average combustion temperature, whereas the IVO timing has a more obvious influence on combustion than GF. HC and CO emissions are decreased with reduced GF, advanced IVO timing and increased operational load.     

Energy efficiency improvement strategies for a diesel engine in low‐temperature combustion

The lowered combustion temperature in diesel engines is capable of reducing nitrogen oxides and soot simultaneously, which can be implemented by the heavy use of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) or the homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) type of combustion. However, the fuel efficiency of the low‐temperature combustion (LTC) cycles is commonly compromised by the high levels of hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. More seriously, the scheduling of fuel delivery in HCCI engines has lesser leverage on the exact timing of auto‐ignition that may even occur before the compression stroke is completed, which may cause excessive efficiency reduction and combustion roughness. New LTC control strategies have been explored experimentally to achieve ultralow emissions under independently controlled EGR, intake boost, exhaust backpressure, and multi‐event fuel‐injection events. Empirical comparisons have been made between the fuel efficiencies of LTC and conventional diesel cycles. Preliminary adaptive control strategies based on cylinder pressure characteristics have been implemented to enable and stabilize the LTC when heavy EGR is applied. The impact of heat‐release phasing, duration, shaping, and splitting on the thermal efficiency has also been analyzed with engine cycle simulations. This research intends to identify the major parameters that affect diesel LTC engine thermal efficiency. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigations on the effects of intake temperature and charge dilution in a hydrogen fueled HCCI engine

This work was aimed at improving the performance and extending the load range of hydrogen fueled homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine through charge temperature regulation and addition of carbon dioxide in order to control the combustion phasing. Intake charge temperature and equivalence ratio were varied from 130 °C to 80 °C and 0.19 to 0.3 respectively. In the neat hydrogen mode it was possible to operate the engine only until a brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) of 2.2 bar. Higher charge temperatures lead to knocking and advanced combustion. At any equivalence ratio the lowest possible charge temperature is the one that leads to the highest thermal efficiency. Addition of carbon dioxide retarded the combustion process and improved the thermal efficiency and also extended the load range to a BMEP of 3.1 bar. Efficiencies of hydrogen HCCI mode were higher than the conventional diesel mode with negligible level of NO emissions.     

均质压燃发动机燃烧与排放的多区模型模拟

应用一个有质量交换的6区模型模拟正庚烷在HCCI发动机中的燃烧和排放特性．通过把缸内划分为缝隙区、边界层区、外核心区和内核心区,加入Woschni传热模型计入了缸内的温度和浓度的不均匀分布．全部计算基于正庚烷燃烧的包含57种组分290个反应的详细机理,结果表明,该多区模型合理地模拟了HCCI发动机的燃烧过程,并可满意地预测出HC、CO和NO的排放．最后采用此多区模型分别讨论了缝隙容积、边界层厚度和壁面温度对HCCI发动机的燃烧和排放的影响．     

Characterization of ringing intensity in a hydrogen-fueled HCCI engine

Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) is a promising alternative combustion strategy having higher thermal efficiency while maintaining the NO_x and soot emissions below the current emissions mandates. The HCCI combustion engine has typically lower operating load range in comparison to conventional engines. The HCCI combustion is constrained by various operational limits such as combustion instability limit, combustion noise limits, emission limits and peak cylinder pressure limit. High load limit of HCCI combustion is typically limited by very high heat release rate, which leads to ringing operation. Intense ringing operation leads to very high combustion noise, and heavy ringing operation can also damage the engine parts. Thus, it is important to investigate the characteristics of ringing intensity (RI) in HCCI engine. Hydrogen fueled HCCI engine combines the potential advantages of alternative fuel as well as the alternative combustion strategy. This study presents the RI characterization and prediction using chemical kinetics and artificial neural network (ANN) for hydrogen-HCCI operation. In the first part of the study, the effect of equivalence ratio (φ), inlet temperature (T_ivc), and engine speed on ringing intensity is investigated using chemical kinetics model. Based on ringing operation characteristics of hydrogen HCCI engine, ANN model is used to predict the ringing intensity (RI) for different engine operating conditions (i.e., φ T_ivc, engine speed) and different combustion parameters. The result indicates that RI increases with advanced combustion phasing (CA₅₀), higher inlet temperature, and equivalence ratio. To control the ringing operation, the CA₅₀ position needs to be retarded by optimizing the T_ivc and φ. Maximum engine operating range is found for lower engine speed (i.e., 1000 rpm) and reduces with increase in the engine speed. The results showed that the RI is strongly correlated to the CA₅₀ position with a correlation coefficient of 0.99 at constant inlet temperature. The ANN results also show that ANN model predicts RI with sufficient accuracy. The ANN model predicts RI with engine operating conditions as well as combustion parameters with a correlation coefficient of 0.97 and 0.95 respectively.     

二甲醚均质压燃燃烧过程的试验研究

在一台单缸直喷柴油机上进行了二甲醚(DME)均质压燃(HCCl)燃烧过程的试验．研究结果表明，进气中加入30％的惰性气体CO2,发动机实现HCCl运转的负荷范围从0．05MPa扩展到0．35MPa．二甲醚在HCCl模式下表现出明显的双阶段着火特性，增加惰性气体的浓度，第一阶段着火始点滞后，燃烧放热峰值降低，燃烧持续期延长．排放测试表明，HCCl模式下发动机的NOx排放接近于零，可实现无碳烟排放，但CO和HC排放较高．     

正庚烷/生物柴油双燃料的部分均质压燃燃烧

研究了气口喷射正庚烷、缸内直喷生物柴油的部分均质充量压缩着火(HCCI)燃烧的燃烧特性和排放特性.研究表明,整个燃烧过程旱现三阶段放热模式.随着正庚烷预混合比例的增加,第一阶段和第二阶段最大放热率呈线性增加,从而导致生物柴油着火时的温度和压力明显上升.预混合正庚烷的引入使得放热中心时刻和放热结束时刻明显提前,燃烧持续时间缩短.至于排放方面,预混合比例的增加会引起CO和HC排放的增加,并且增加幅度逐渐减小;在中小当量比下,预混合比例增加会使得NOx排放线性降低,但是对碳烟排放却几乎没有影响;在较大当量比下,预混合比例增加可以使得NOx和碳烟排放同时大幅度下降,并且在20%～25%之间可以得到最佳的NOx和碳烟降低效果.     

Direct injection of hydrogen main fuel and diesel pilot fuel in a retrofitted single-cylinder compression ignition engine

Up to 90% hydrogen energy fraction was achieved in a hydrogen diesel dual-fuel direct injection (H2DDI) light-duty single-cylinder compression ignition engine. An automotive-size inline single-cylinder diesel engine was modified to install an additional hydrogen direct injector. The engine was operated at a constant speed of 2000 revolutions per minute and fixed combustion phasing of ?10 crank angle degrees before top dead centre (°CA bTDC) while evaluating the power output, efficiency, combustion and engine-out emissions. A parametric study was conducted at an intermediate load with 20–90% hydrogen energy fraction and 180-0 °CA bTDC injection timing. High indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) of up to 943 kPa and 57.2% indicated efficiency was achieved at 90% hydrogen energy fraction, at the expense of NO_x emissions. The hydrogen injection timing directly controls the mixture condition and combustion mode. Early hydrogen injection timings exhibited premixed combustion behaviour while late injection timings produced mixing-controlled combustion, with an intermediate point reached at 40 °CA bTDC hydrogen injection timing. At 90% hydrogen energy fraction, the earlier injection timing leads to higher IMEP/efficiency but the NO_x increase is inevitable due to enhanced premixed combustion. To keep the NO_x increase minimal and achieve the same combustion phasing of a diesel baseline, the 40 °CA bTDC hydrogen injection timing shows the best performance at which 85.9% CO₂ reduction and 13.3% IMEP/efficiency increase are achieved.     

Application of exhaust gas fuel reforming in diesel and homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines fuelled with biofuels

This paper documents the application of exhaust gas fuel reforming of two alternative fuels, biodiesel and bioethanol, in internal combustion engines. The exhaust gas fuel reforming process is a method of on-board production of hydrogen-rich gas by catalytic reaction of fuel and engine exhaust gas. The benefits of exhaust gas fuel reforming have been demonstrated by adding simulated reformed gas to a diesel engine fuelled by a mixture of 50% ultra low sulphur diesel (ULSD) and 50% rapeseed methyl ester (RME) as well as to a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine fuelled by bioethanol. In the case of the biodiesel fuelled engine, a reduction of NO_x emissions was achieved without considerable smoke increase. In the case of the bioethanol fuelled HCCI engine, the engine tolerance to exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) was extended and hence the typically high pressure rise rates of HCCI engines, associated with intense combustion noise, were reduced.     

灵活缸重整模式下低温重整产物对压燃式发动机燃烧和排放影响的数值模拟研究

采用数值模拟方法研究了第一参比燃料(PRF50)的低温重整过程及其产物对压燃式发动机燃烧和排放特性的影响。研究结果表明,PRF50燃料的低温重整区域随当量比的增加而增大,初始温度和压力的选择范围变化有限,并且PRF50燃料发生低温反应的触发界线开始向较高的初始进气温度方向移动;初始进气温度和当量比对重整过程的影响要大于初始压力的影响;PRF50燃料的低温重整产物均可使PRF50燃料均质充量压燃的燃烧相位提前,且重整产物的加入改善了发动机有害排放中一氧化碳、未燃碳氢和氮氧化物的排放,指示热效率也可提高约3.0%。     

预混合比例实时优化控制正庚烷复合HCCI燃烧

在一台单缸柴油机上试验研究了预混合比例对正庚烷复合HCCI燃烧的影响,并在各个负荷下实现预混合比例的优化控制.结果表明:复合HCCI燃烧呈现三阶段放热模式,并且随着预混合比例的增大,复合HCCI燃烧第2阶段高温反应着火提前,燃烧持续期缩短,第3阶段扩散燃烧滞燃期缩短,同时缸内最高压力和最大压力升高率均升高.复合HCCI的NOx排放与直喷相比显著降低,且随预混合比例的增大先降低后升高.同时,复合HCCI的CO排放随预混合比例增大先增大后减小,而HC则随预混合比例增大而增大.通过预混合比例优化控制,复合HC-CI燃烧能够显著拓展负荷范围,并且保持较高的热效率.     

The effect of hydrogen on the performance and emissions of an SI engine having a high compression ratio fuelled by compressed natural gas

The aim of this paper is investigation of the effect of hydrogen on engine performance and emissions characteristics of an SI engine, having a high compression ratio, fuelled by HCNG (hydrogen enriched compressed natural gas) blend. The experiments were carried out at 1500, 2000 and 2500 rpm under full load conditions of a modified Isuzu 3.9 L engine, having a compression ratio of 12.5. The engine brake power, brake thermal efficiency, combustion analysis and emissions parameters were realized at 5, 10 15 and 20 deg. CA BTDC (crank angle before top dead center) ignition timings and in excess air ratios of 0.9–1.3 fuelled by hydrogen enriched compressed natural gas (100/0, 95/5, 90/10 and 80/20 of % natural gas/hydrogen).The experimental results showed that the maximum power values were generally obtained with HCNG5 (5% hydrogen in natural gas) fuel. The optimum ignition timing that was obtained according to the maximum brake torque was retarded by the addition of hydrogen to CNG (compressed natural gas), while it was advanced by increasing the engine speed. Furthermore, it was observed that the BTE (brake thermal efficiency) generally declined with the hydrogen addition to compressed natural gas and increasing the engine speed. Additionally, the curves of cylinder pressure and ROHR (rate of heat release values) generally closed to top dead center with the increasing of the hydrogen fraction in the blend and a decreasing engine speed. The hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions generally obtained were lower than the Euro-5 and Euro-6 standards.