• SAE-2010-01-0572

Simulating combustion of practical fuels and blends for modern engine applications using detailed chemical kinetics

Authors: Andrew J. Smallbone*, Amit Bhave, Neal M. Morgan, Markus Kraft*, Roger Cracknell, and Gautam Kalghatgi

Reference: SAE Paper 2010-01-0572

Abstract

This research describes the potential to adopt detailed chemical kinetics for practical and potential future fuels using tri-component surrogate mixtures capable of simulating fuel octane "sensitivity". Since the combustion characteristics of modern fuels are routinely measured using the RON and MON of the fuel, a methodology to generate detailed chemical kinetic mechanisms for these fuels based on these data is presented. Firstly, a novel correlation between various tri-component blends (comprised of i-octane, n-heptane and toluene) and fuel RON and MON was obtained by carrying out standard octane tests. Secondly, a chemical kinetic mechanism for tricomponent fuels was validated using a Stochastic Reactor Model (SRM) suite, an in-cylinder engine combustion simulator, and a series of engine experiments conducted in HCCI operating mode. Thirdly, the methodology was applied to predict combustion characteristics of a practical gasoline and fuel blends with ethanol and di-iso-butylene blends using detailed chemical kinetics. Finally, for the first time the application of this technique was demonstrated by employing detailed chemistry in the optimization of two engines and two fuels operating in HCCI mode. Here a parametric study highlighted the adoption of fuels with "sensitivity" could significantly extend the HCCI peak operating IMEP limit by as much as 60%.


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*Corresponding author:
Telephone: 0191 208 4954
Address: Sir Joseph Swan Centre for Energy Research Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
Website: Personal Homepage
*Corresponding author:
Telephone: +44 (0)1223 762784 (Dept) 769010 (CHU)
Address: Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
University of Cambridge
West Cambridge Site
Philippa Fawcett Drive
Cambridge CB3 0AS
United Kingdom
Website: Personal Homepage