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Numerical Simulation for Next Generation Engines

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "F: Electrical Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 9229

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Francesco Balduzzi

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Guest Editor

Department of Industrial Engineering (DIEF), Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via di Santa Marta 3, I-50139 Firenze, Italy
Interests: internal combustion engines; energy engineering; wind; fluid mechanics; computational fluid dynamics; numerical modeling

Dr. Stephan P. Schmidt

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Institute for Internal Combustion Engines and Thermodynamics, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
Interests: novel and alternative propulsion concepts for small mobility and powersport vehicles; numerical simulation; zero CO2 fuels; hydrogen; fuel cell

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Modern internal combustion (IC) engines must fulfill increasingly strict standards in view of a continuous lowering of pollutant and CO2 emissions. On one hand, the research and development of innovative ideas and technologies must comply with fast-changing targets, in order to allow the transition to new solutions for next-generation engines. On the other hand, the complexity of IC engines is increasing, thus implying a greater number of parameters to be studied and controlled, a change in the engine operation with respect to traditional solutions, and the need for a deeper understanding of mutual interactions between different subsystems.

Numerical simulations play a key role both in understanding the physics of more complex systems and in providing accurate and flexible virtual testing to explore multiple solutions in a limited time. From 0D and 1D engineering multiphysics tools to high-performance multidimensional modeling, the use of computational techniques is mandatory to predict and verify the expected IC engine performance, also considering system optimization and control.

This Special Issue aims to gather recent advances with particular attention to high efficiency powertrain concepts. Topics of interest for publication include (but are not limited to) the development and the application of simulation approaches for:

Advanced hybrid powertrains;
Fuel cells;
Alternative and advanced fuels;
Thermal management;
Alternative and novel combustion concepts;
Engine boosting systems;
Driving cycle emissions control;
Fuel injection and sprays.

Dr. Francesco Balduzzi
Dr. Stephan P. Schmidt
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Internal combustion engine
Numerical simulation
Computational methods
Engine modeling
Engine efficiency
Thermodynamics
Thermal simulation
Emission reduction
Hybrid powertrain
Fuel cell
Alternative fuels
Thermal management
Alternative combustion concepts

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 7269 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Investigation on the Performance of a 4-Stroke Engine with Different Passive Pre-Chamber Geometries Using a Detailed Chemistry Solver

by Simone Bigalli, Iacopo Catalani, Francesco Balduzzi, Nicola Matteazzi, Lorenzo Agostinelli, Michele De Luca and Giovanni Ferrara

Energies 2022, 15(14), 4968; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15144968 - 07 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1399

Abstract

Pre-chamber turbulent jet ignition represents one of the most promising techniques to improve spark ignition engines efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions. This technique consists of igniting the air-fuel mixture in the main combustion chamber by means of several hot turbulent flame jets exiting a pre-chamber. In the present study, the combustion process of a 4-stroke, gasoline SI, PFI engine equipped with a passive pre-chamber has been investigated through three-dimensional CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis. A detailed chemistry solver with a reduced reaction mechanism was employed to investigate ignition and flame propagation phenomena. Firstly, the combustion model was validated against experimental data for the baseline engine configuration (i.e., without pre-chamber). Eventually, the validated numerical model allowed for predictive simulations of the pre-chamber-equipped engine. By varying the shape of the pre-chamber body and the size of pre-chamber orifices, different pre-chamber configurations were studied. The influence of the geometrical features on the duration of the combustion process and the pressure trends inside both the pre-chamber and main chamber was assessed and discussed. Since the use of a pre-chamber can extend the air-fuel mixture ignition limits, an additional sensitivity on the air-fuel ratio was carried out, in order to investigate engine performance at lean conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation for Next Generation Engines)

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19 pages, 4856 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Evaluation of the Effect of Fuel Blending with CO₂ and H₂ on the Very Early Corona-Discharge Behavior in Spark Ignited Engines

by Valerio Mariani, Giorgio La Civita, Leonardo Pulga, Edoardo Ugolini, Emanuele Ghedini, Stefania Falfari, Giulio Cazzoli, Gian Marco Bianchi and Claudio Forte

Energies 2022, 15(4), 1426; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15041426 - 15 Feb 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1402

Abstract

Reducing green-house gases emission from light-duty vehicles is compulsory in order to slow down the climate change. The application of High Frequency Ignition systems based on the Corona discharge effect has shown the potential to extend the dilution limit of engine operating conditions promoting lower temperatures and faster combustion events, thus, higher thermal and indicating efficiency. Furthermore, predicting the behavior of Corona ignition devices against new sustainable fuel blends, including renewable hydrogen and biogas, is crucial in order to deal with the short-intermediate term fleet electric transition. The numerical evaluation of Corona-induced discharge radius and radical species under those conditions can be helpful in order to capture local effects that could be reached only with complex and expensive optical investigations. Using an extended version of the Corona one-dimensional code previously published by the present authors, the simulation of pure methane and different methane–hydrogen blends, and biogas–hydrogen blends mixed with air was performed. Each mixture was simulated both for 10% recirculated exhaust gas dilution and for its corresponding dilute upper limit, which was estimated by means of chemical kinetics simulations integrated with a custom misfire detection criterion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation for Next Generation Engines)

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20 pages, 4275 KiB

Open AccessArticle

2-Stroke RCCI Engines for Passenger Cars

by Enrico Mattarelli, Carlo Alberto Rinaldini, Luca Marmorini, Stefano Caprioli, Francesco Legrottaglie and Francesco Scrignoli

Energies 2022, 15(3), 1173; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15031173 - 05 Feb 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1746

Abstract

Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) is one of the most promising solutions among the low temperature combustion concepts, in terms of thermal efficiency and pollutant emissions. However, for values of brake mean effective pressure higher than 10 bar, in-cylinder peak pressure rise rates tend to be too high, limiting the specific power of any 4-Stroke (4S) engine. Such a limitation can be canceled by moving to the 2-Stroke (2S) cycle. Among many alternatives, the “Uniflow” scavenging system with exhaust poppet valves on the cylinder head allows the designer to reproduce the same identical combustion patterns of a 4-stroke RCCI engine, while increasing the indicated power output. The goal of the paper is to explore the potential of a 2-stroke RCCI engine, on the basis of a comprehensive experimental campaign carried out on a modified automotive 2.0 L, 4-stroke, four-cylinder, four-valve diesel engine. The developed prototype can run with one cylinder operating in 4-stroke RCCI mode (gasoline–diesel), while the others work in the standard diesel mode. A One Dimensional-Computational Fluid Dynamics (1D-CFD) model has been built to predict the performance of the same prototype, when operating all four cylinders in RCCI mode. In parallel, an equivalent 2-stroke RCCI virtual engine has been developed, by means of 1D-CFD simulations and empirical assumptions. A numerical comparison between the 4S and the 2S engines is finally presented, in terms of performance and emissions at full load. The study demonstrates that a 2S RCCI engine can maintain all of the advantages of the RCCI combustion, strongly reducing the penalization in terms of performance, in comparison to a standard 4S diesel engine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation for Next Generation Engines)

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22 pages, 5351 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Machine Learning-Based Identification Strategy of Fuel Surrogates for the CFD Simulation of Stratified Operations in Low Temperature Combustion Modes

by Valerio Mariani, Leonardo Pulga, Gian Marco Bianchi, Stefania Falfari and Claudio Forte

Energies 2021, 14(15), 4623; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14154623 - 30 Jul 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2202

Abstract

Many researchers in industry and academia are showing an increasing interest in the definition of fuel surrogates for Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation applications. This need is mainly driven by the necessity of the engine research community to anticipate the effects of new gasoline formulations and combustion modes (e.g., Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition, Spark Assisted Compression Ignition) to meet future emission regulations. Since those solutions strongly rely on the tailored mixture distribution, the simulation and accurate prediction of the mixture formation will be mandatory. Focusing purely on the definition of surrogates to emulate liquid phase and liquid-vapor equilibrium of gasolines, the following target properties are considered in this work: density, Reid vapor pressure, chemical macro-composition and volatility. A set of robust algorithms has been developed for the prediction of volatility and Reid vapor pressure. A Bayesian optimization algorithm based on a customized merit function has been developed to allow for the efficient definition of surrogate formulations from a palette of 15 pure compounds. The developed methodology has been applied on different real gasolines from literature in order to identify their optima surrogates. Furthermore, the ‘unicity’ of the surrogate composition is discussed by comparing the optimum solution with the most different one available in the pool of equivalent-valuable solutions. The proposed methodology has proven the potential to formulate surrogates characterized by an overall good agreement with the target properties of the experimental gasolines (max relative error below 10%, average relative error around 3%). In particular, the shape and the end-tails of the distillation curve are well captured. Furthermore, an accurate prediction of key chemical macro-components such as ethanol and aromatics and their influence on evaporative behavior is achieved. The study of the ‘unicity’ of the surrogate composition has revealed that (i) the unicity is strongly correlated with the accuracy and that (ii) both ‘unicity’ and accuracy of the prediction are very sensitive to the high presence of aromatics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation for Next Generation Engines)

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26 pages, 17120 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transient Simulation of the Six-Inlet, Two-Stage Radial Turbine under Pulse-Flow Conditions

by Dariusz Kozak and Paweł Mazuro

Energies 2021, 14(8), 2043; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14082043 - 07 Apr 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1497

Abstract

In recent years, the automotive sector has been focused on emission reductions using hybrid and electric vehicles. This was mainly caused by political trends promoting “green energy”. However, that does not mean that internal combustion engines (ICEs) should be forgotten. The ICE has still the potential of recovering energy from exhaust gases. One of the promising ways to recover energy is turbocharging. Over the years engine manufacturers have designed very efficient turbocharger systems which have greatly increased the overall engine efficiency. This led to pollutant emission reductions. This paper presents the results of the three-dimensional (3-D) numerical simulations of the two-stage, six-inlet turbocharging system under the influence of unsteady, pulsed-flow conditions. The calculations were carried out for three turbine speeds. The most interesting results of this study were the separation of exhaust gases coming from the six-exhaust pipes and the performance of both stages under pulse-flow conditions. The two-stage turbocharging system was compared against the single-stage turbocharging system and the results showed that the newly designed two-stage turbine system properly separated the exhaust gases of the adjacent exhaust pipes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Numerical Simulation for Next Generation Engines)

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