Mr Mehran Nazemian, Mr Mehrdad Nazemian, Mr Mahdi Hosseini Bohloli, Mr Hadi Hosseini Bohloli, Mr Mohammad Reza Hosseinitazek,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (9-2024)
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of nozzle hole diameter (NHD) variations on spray dynamics, combustion efficiency, and emissions in a Reactivity-Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) engine using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations with the CONVERGE software. The study systematically examines NHDs ranging from 130 µm to 175 µm and evaluates their impact on key parameters such as injection pressure, droplet formation, Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD), and evaporation rates. The results demonstrate that reducing NHD to 130 µm significantly enhances fuel atomization by reducing SMD to 15.49 µm and increasing droplet number by 24%, which in turn accelerates evaporation and improves fuel-air mixing. These effects shorten ignition delays, accelerate combustion, and increase peak cylinder pressures and temperatures. Optimal NHDs (150–160 µm) achieve the highest combustion efficiency (92.04%) and gross indicated efficiency (38.58%). However, further reduction in NHD below this range causes premature ignition, energy dissipation, and higher NOx emissions (10.08 g/kWh) due to elevated combustion temperatures. Conversely, when the NHD increases to 175 µm, the larger droplets formed result in prolonged ignition delays, slower combustion, and lower peak pressures. These effects negatively impact combustion efficiency and promote incomplete combustion, leading to higher HC (15.27 gr/kWh) and CO (4.22 gr/kWh) emissions. Larger NHDs, however, lower NOx emissions to 2.66 gr/kWh due to reduced peak temperatures. This study clearly identifies an optimal NHD range (150–160 µm) that effectively balances droplet size, evaporation rate, combustion timing, and emission reduction, thereby enhancing both engine performance and environmental sustainability.
Mr Mehran Nazemian, Mr Mehrdad Nazemian,
Volume 15, Issue 2 (6-2025)
Abstract
This study investigates the performance of Reactivity-Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) engines under varying engine speeds using a 4E approach (Evaporation, Energy, Emissions, Exergy) and introduces innovative multidimensional efficiency indices. A 1.9-liter TDI Volkswagen engine was modeled in CONVERGE CFD software to analyze spray dynamics, combustion processes, and emissions across different engine speeds. New indices, including Evaporation-Energy Performance Index (EvEPI), Emission-Energy Synergy Index (EmESI), and Exergy-Emission Balance Index (ExEmBI), were developed to evaluate engine performance comprehensively. Results reveal that optimal performance occurs within 1600–2200 RPM, where fuel evaporation, combustion efficiency, and exergy utilization are maximized while emissions are minimized. For instance, at 3100 RPM, EvEPI increases sharply to 9857.17 mg/ms, reflecting enhanced evaporation but also highlighting risks of non-uniform fuel-air mixing at high speeds. Conversely, EmESI for HC rises from 33.04 gr/kW.h at 1000 RPM to 284.90 gr/kW.h at 3100 RPM, indicating increased unburned hydrocarbons due to incomplete combustion. NOx emissions decrease from 11.51 gr/kW.h at 1600 RPM to 2.28 gr/kW.h at 3100 RPM, aligning with reduced combustion temperatures. Higher speeds lead to elevated HC and CO emissions due to shorter mixing times, while lower speeds increase NOx due to prolonged combustion durations. Exergy analysis shows total and second-law efficiencies peak at lower speeds, emphasizing the importance of optimizing operational parameters. These findings provide valuable insights for designing efficient, low-emission RCCI engines.
