The losses in an internal combustion engine are dominated by thermal and parasitic sources. The latter arises from mechanical inefficiencies inherent within the system, particularly friction in load bearing conjunctions such as the piston assembly. During idle and at low engine speeds, frictional losses are the major contributor to the overall engine losses as opposed to the dominant contribution of thermal losses under other driving conditions. Given the relatively small size and simple structure of the top compression ring, it has a disproportionate contribution to the total frictional losses. This suggests further analysis would be required to understand the underlying causes of compression ring behaviour throughout the engine cycle. The available literature on tribological analyses of compression rings does not account for the transient ring elastodynamics. They usually assume a rigid ring for film thickness and power loss predictions, which is not representative of the ring's dynamic response. A combined study of ring elastodynamic behaviour and its tribological conjunction is a comprehensive approach.

O trabalho apresenta uma análise técnica de desempenho dos motores de combustão interna ciclo Diesel, operando com combustível biodiesel em relação à operação com óleo diesel automotivo do tipo B. Busca-se neste trabalho definir uma relação tecnológica entre o antigo (óleo diesel) e o novo (biodiesel), demonstrando-se formas e processos de operação com ambos, a fim de enfatizar a garantia de eficiência da aplicação do biodiesel nos motores que hoje operam com óleo diesel automotivo. O desempenho foi avaliado em relação ao torque, potência, consumo específico de combustível e emissões de fumaça. A aplicação do biodiesel como uma nova forma de energia alternativa, sem alterações em projetos originais dos motores de combustão interna ciclo Diesel, motivou a realização deste trabalho. O motor utilizado nestes ensaios foi um motor Agrale M93 ID, monocilíndrico, com cilindrada de 668 cm³ e relação de compressão de 20,0:1. Neste motor foram ensaiados três tipos diferentes de biodiesel: o de soja, mamona e dendê. Todos os ensaios foram realizados utilizando-se percentuais específicos de adição de biodiesel ao óleo diesel. Utilizou-se inicialmente o B25 (adição de 25% de biodiesel ao óleo diesel tipo B), e posteriormente concentrações de B50, B75 e B100. Todo o sistema motriz foi instalado em uma bancada dinamométrica e instrumentado, a fim de permitir a coleta de informações e avaliações do torque, potência, consumo específico, emissões de fumaça, temperaturas e rotações operação. Os ensaios foram desenvolvidos em velocidades de rotação de 2600, 2400, 2200, 2000 e 1800 min-¹, para cada uma das concentrações de biodiesel e óleo diesel, coletando-se posteriormente todos os dados necessários para aplicar no programa de correção, conforme normatização vigente. Os resultados apresentaram pequenas variações nos parâmetros torque e potência, com variações mais significativas para o consumo específico e emissões de fumaça. Observa-se ao final dos ensaios que a aplicação de biodiesel destas três oleaginosas não altera o funcionamento do motor até percentuais próximos a 25%. Para misturas acima de 50%, verifica-se que o motor ensaiado apresenta reduções mais significativas nos parâmetros torque e potência, com aumento considerável no consumo específico de combustível e redução expressiva nas emissões de fumaça. / This study presents a Diesel cycle internal combustion engine technical analysis of performance operating on biodiesel fuel compared to the operation using type B automotive diesel oil. The aim of the study is to define the technological relationship between the long-standing diesel oil and the new biodiesel, demonstrating ways and processes of operation with both of them, so as to emphasize the guarantee of efficient application of biodiesel in engines which presently operate on automotive diesel oil. The performance was evaluated in relation to torque, power, specific fuel consumption and smoke emissions. The application of biodiesel as a new form of alternative energy, with no alterations in original cycle Diesel internal combustion engine projects, motivated this study. The engine used for the tests was a single-cylinder Agrale M93 ID, with 668 cc and 20,0:1 compression ratio. Three different types of biodiesel were tested in that engine: from soybeans, from castor oil plant (mamona) and from dende palm tree. All tests were carried out using specific percentages of biodiesel addition to the diesel oil. Initially, B25 (addition of 25% of biodiesel to the B type diesel oil) was tested, and then concentrations of B50, B75 and B100 were used. The whole engine system was installed and instrumented on a dynamometric bench, so as to allow the data collecting to record information and evaluations on torque, power, specific fuel consumption, smoke emissions, temperature and operating rotations. The tests were performed on rotation speeds of 2600, 2400, 2200, 2000 and 1800 min-¹, for each of the concentrations of biodiesel and diesel oil, obtaining all the necessary data to apply in the correction program, according to the present norms. The results presented little variation for the torque and power parameters and more significant variations for specific fuel consumption and smoke emissions. After testing, we observed that the application of biodiesel from those three oleaginous plants does not alter engine operation with percentages around 25%; for mixtures above 50%, the engine tested presented more significant reductions in torque and power parameters, with a considerable increase in specific fuel consumption and a substantial reduction in smoke emissions.

The GDI engine has a number of practical advantages over the more traditional port-fuel injection strategy, however a number of challenges remain the subject of continued research in an attempt to fully exploit the advantages of the GDI engine. These include complex in-cylinder flow fields and fuel-air mixing strategies, and significant temporal variation, both through an engine cycle and on a cycle-by-cycle basis. Despite advances in experimental techniques, the relative difficulty and cost of taking detailed measurements remains high, thus computational techniques are an integral part of research activities. The research work presented in this thesis has focused on the use of detailed 3D-CFD techniques for investigating physical phenomena of the in-cylinder flow field and fuel injection process in a single cylinder GDI engine with early injection event. A detailed validation of the numerical predictions of the in-cylinder flow field using both the RANS RNG k-ε turbulence model and the Smagorinsky LES SGS turbulence model was completed with both models showing good agreement against available experimental results. A detailed validation of the numerical predictions of the fuel injection process using a Lagrangian DDM and both RANS RNG k-ε turbulence model and Smagorinsky LES SGS turbulence model was completed with both models showing excellent agreement against experimental data. The model was then used to investigate the in-cylinder flow field and fuel injection process including research into: the three dimensional nature of the flow field; intake valve jet flapping, characterisation, causality and CCV, and whether it could account for CCV of the mixture field at spark timing; the anisotropic characteristics of the flow field using both the fluctuating velocity and turbulence intensity, including the increase in anisotropy due to the fuel injection event; the use of POD for quantitatively analysing the in-cylinder flow field; investigations into the intake valve, cylinder liner and piston crown spray plume impingement processes, including the use of a multi-component fuel surrogate and CCV of the formed liquid film; characterisation and CCV of the mixture field though the intake and compression strokes up to spark timing. Finally, the predicted turbulence characteristics were used to evaluate the resultant premixed turbulent combustion event using combustion regime diagrams.

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Justin W. Behrens, for the Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, presented on June 24, 2011 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: MODIFICATION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A MONO-VALVE ENGINE MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Suri Rajan A four-stroke engine utilizing one tappet valve for both the intake and exhaust gas exchange processes has been built and evaluated. The engine operates under its own power, but has a reduced power capacity than the conventional 2-valve engine. The reduction in power is traced to higher than expected amounts of exhaust gases flowing back into the intake system. Design changes to the cylinder head will fix the back flow problems, but the future capacity of mono-valve engine technology cannot be estimated. The back flow of exhaust gases increases the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate and deteriorates combustion. Intake pressure data shows the mono-valve engine requires an advanced intake valve closing (IVC) time to prevent back flow of charge air. A single actuation camshaft with advanced IVC was tested in the mono-valve engine, and was found to improve exhaust scavenging at TDC and nearly eliminated all charge air back flow at IVC. The optimum IVC timing is shown to be approximately 30 crank angle degrees after BDC. The mono-valve cylinder head utilizes a rotary valve positioned above the tappet valve. The open spaces inside the rotary valve and between the rotary valve and tappet valve represent a common volume that needs to be reduced in order to reduce the base EGR rate. Multiple rotary valve configurations were tested, and the size of the common volume was found to have no effect on back flow but a direct effect on the EGR rate and engine performance. The position of the rotary valve with respect to crank angle has a direct effect on the scavenging process. Optimum scavenging occurs when the intake port is opened just after TDC.

O trabalho apresenta uma análise técnica de desempenho dos motores de combustão interna ciclo Diesel, operando com combustível biodiesel em relação à operação com óleo diesel automotivo do tipo B. Busca-se neste trabalho definir uma relação tecnológica entre o antigo (óleo diesel) e o novo (biodiesel), demonstrando-se formas e processos de operação com ambos, a fim de enfatizar a garantia de eficiência da aplicação do biodiesel nos motores que hoje operam com óleo diesel automotivo. O desempenho foi avaliado em relação ao torque, potência, consumo específico de combustível e emissões de fumaça. A aplicação do biodiesel como uma nova forma de energia alternativa, sem alterações em projetos originais dos motores de combustão interna ciclo Diesel, motivou a realização deste trabalho. O motor utilizado nestes ensaios foi um motor Agrale M93 ID, monocilíndrico, com cilindrada de 668 cm³ e relação de compressão de 20,0:1. Neste motor foram ensaiados três tipos diferentes de biodiesel: o de soja, mamona e dendê. Todos os ensaios foram realizados utilizando-se percentuais específicos de adição de biodiesel ao óleo diesel. Utilizou-se inicialmente o B25 (adição de 25% de biodiesel ao óleo diesel tipo B), e posteriormente concentrações de B50, B75 e B100. Todo o sistema motriz foi instalado em uma bancada dinamométrica e instrumentado, a fim de permitir a coleta de informações e avaliações do torque, potência, consumo específico, emissões de fumaça, temperaturas e rotações operação. Os ensaios foram desenvolvidos em velocidades de rotação de 2600, 2400, 2200, 2000 e 1800 min-¹, para cada uma das concentrações de biodiesel e óleo diesel, coletando-se posteriormente todos os dados necessários para aplicar no programa de correção, conforme normatização vigente. Os resultados apresentaram pequenas variações nos parâmetros torque e potência, com variações mais significativas para o consumo específico e emissões de fumaça. Observa-se ao final dos ensaios que a aplicação de biodiesel destas três oleaginosas não altera o funcionamento do motor até percentuais próximos a 25%. Para misturas acima de 50%, verifica-se que o motor ensaiado apresenta reduções mais significativas nos parâmetros torque e potência, com aumento considerável no consumo específico de combustível e redução expressiva nas emissões de fumaça. / This study presents a Diesel cycle internal combustion engine technical analysis of performance operating on biodiesel fuel compared to the operation using type B automotive diesel oil. The aim of the study is to define the technological relationship between the long-standing diesel oil and the new biodiesel, demonstrating ways and processes of operation with both of them, so as to emphasize the guarantee of efficient application of biodiesel in engines which presently operate on automotive diesel oil. The performance was evaluated in relation to torque, power, specific fuel consumption and smoke emissions. The application of biodiesel as a new form of alternative energy, with no alterations in original cycle Diesel internal combustion engine projects, motivated this study. The engine used for the tests was a single-cylinder Agrale M93 ID, with 668 cc and 20,0:1 compression ratio. Three different types of biodiesel were tested in that engine: from soybeans, from castor oil plant (mamona) and from dende palm tree. All tests were carried out using specific percentages of biodiesel addition to the diesel oil. Initially, B25 (addition of 25% of biodiesel to the B type diesel oil) was tested, and then concentrations of B50, B75 and B100 were used. The whole engine system was installed and instrumented on a dynamometric bench, so as to allow the data collecting to record information and evaluations on torque, power, specific fuel consumption, smoke emissions, temperature and operating rotations. The tests were performed on rotation speeds of 2600, 2400, 2200, 2000 and 1800 min-¹, for each of the concentrations of biodiesel and diesel oil, obtaining all the necessary data to apply in the correction program, according to the present norms. The results presented little variation for the torque and power parameters and more significant variations for specific fuel consumption and smoke emissions. After testing, we observed that the application of biodiesel from those three oleaginous plants does not alter engine operation with percentages around 25%; for mixtures above 50%, the engine tested presented more significant reductions in torque and power parameters, with a considerable increase in specific fuel consumption and a substantial reduction in smoke emissions.

O trabalho apresenta uma análise técnica de desempenho dos motores de combustão interna ciclo Diesel, operando com combustível biodiesel em relação à operação com óleo diesel automotivo do tipo B. Busca-se neste trabalho definir uma relação tecnológica entre o antigo (óleo diesel) e o novo (biodiesel), demonstrando-se formas e processos de operação com ambos, a fim de enfatizar a garantia de eficiência da aplicação do biodiesel nos motores que hoje operam com óleo diesel automotivo. O desempenho foi avaliado em relação ao torque, potência, consumo específico de combustível e emissões de fumaça. A aplicação do biodiesel como uma nova forma de energia alternativa, sem alterações em projetos originais dos motores de combustão interna ciclo Diesel, motivou a realização deste trabalho. O motor utilizado nestes ensaios foi um motor Agrale M93 ID, monocilíndrico, com cilindrada de 668 cm³ e relação de compressão de 20,0:1. Neste motor foram ensaiados três tipos diferentes de biodiesel: o de soja, mamona e dendê. Todos os ensaios foram realizados utilizando-se percentuais específicos de adição de biodiesel ao óleo diesel. Utilizou-se inicialmente o B25 (adição de 25% de biodiesel ao óleo diesel tipo B), e posteriormente concentrações de B50, B75 e B100. Todo o sistema motriz foi instalado em uma bancada dinamométrica e instrumentado, a fim de permitir a coleta de informações e avaliações do torque, potência, consumo específico, emissões de fumaça, temperaturas e rotações operação. Os ensaios foram desenvolvidos em velocidades de rotação de 2600, 2400, 2200, 2000 e 1800 min-¹, para cada uma das concentrações de biodiesel e óleo diesel, coletando-se posteriormente todos os dados necessários para aplicar no programa de correção, conforme normatização vigente. Os resultados apresentaram pequenas variações nos parâmetros torque e potência, com variações mais significativas para o consumo específico e emissões de fumaça. Observa-se ao final dos ensaios que a aplicação de biodiesel destas três oleaginosas não altera o funcionamento do motor até percentuais próximos a 25%. Para misturas acima de 50%, verifica-se que o motor ensaiado apresenta reduções mais significativas nos parâmetros torque e potência, com aumento considerável no consumo específico de combustível e redução expressiva nas emissões de fumaça. / This study presents a Diesel cycle internal combustion engine technical analysis of performance operating on biodiesel fuel compared to the operation using type B automotive diesel oil. The aim of the study is to define the technological relationship between the long-standing diesel oil and the new biodiesel, demonstrating ways and processes of operation with both of them, so as to emphasize the guarantee of efficient application of biodiesel in engines which presently operate on automotive diesel oil. The performance was evaluated in relation to torque, power, specific fuel consumption and smoke emissions. The application of biodiesel as a new form of alternative energy, with no alterations in original cycle Diesel internal combustion engine projects, motivated this study. The engine used for the tests was a single-cylinder Agrale M93 ID, with 668 cc and 20,0:1 compression ratio. Three different types of biodiesel were tested in that engine: from soybeans, from castor oil plant (mamona) and from dende palm tree. All tests were carried out using specific percentages of biodiesel addition to the diesel oil. Initially, B25 (addition of 25% of biodiesel to the B type diesel oil) was tested, and then concentrations of B50, B75 and B100 were used. The whole engine system was installed and instrumented on a dynamometric bench, so as to allow the data collecting to record information and evaluations on torque, power, specific fuel consumption, smoke emissions, temperature and operating rotations. The tests were performed on rotation speeds of 2600, 2400, 2200, 2000 and 1800 min-¹, for each of the concentrations of biodiesel and diesel oil, obtaining all the necessary data to apply in the correction program, according to the present norms. The results presented little variation for the torque and power parameters and more significant variations for specific fuel consumption and smoke emissions. After testing, we observed that the application of biodiesel from those three oleaginous plants does not alter engine operation with percentages around 25%; for mixtures above 50%, the engine tested presented more significant reductions in torque and power parameters, with a considerable increase in specific fuel consumption and a substantial reduction in smoke emissions.

[pt] É realizado um estudo teórico experimental sobre motores a combustão interna operando com taxa de compressão variável. É feita uma análise teórica sobre determinado mecanismo que permite variar a taxa de compressão. Para tal foi utilizado um programa de simulação para motores com ignição por centelha. No presente trabalho o modelo de simulação foi aprimorado, com a inclusão de previsão de detonação, de emissão de hidrocarbonetos, do cálculo da potencia de atrito, assim como a inclusão do dispositivo do mecanismo de taxa de compressão variável, entre outras alterações. Uma parte experimental foi também realizada, como o objetivo de validar os resultados do modelo teórico e de quantificar os benefícios proporcionados pelo mecanismo em questão. Para tal um motor de pesquisa de combustível – motor CFR – foi utilizado. Uma comparação dos resultados teóricos e experimentais obtidos no presente trabalho com os de outros pesquisadores é também apresentada. / [en] The present work is concerned with a theoretical and expererimental study of variable compression ratio spark ignition internal combustion engines. A theoretical analysis of the engine, operating with a mechanism allows for variable compression ratio, is carried out. For that a simulation program is utilized. In the present work the simulation model was updated with the inclusion of friction, knocking and hidrocarbon emission models, among other things. An experimental work was also carried out, with a CFR engine. The objective was a wo-fold to validade the results of the theoretical model and to assens the benefits of running an engine with variable compression ratio. A comparison is also made between the rrsults of the present work and those from other authors.

The internal combustion engine is synonyms with the automobile since its invention in late 19th century. The internal combustion engine today is far more advanced and efficient compared to its early predecessors. An intense competition exists today amongst the automotive OEMs in various countries and regions for stepping up sales and increasing market share. The pressure on automotive OEMs to reduce fuel consumption and emission is enormous which has lead to innovations of many variations in engine and engine-related technologies. However, IC engines are in existence for well more than a century and hence have already evolved to a highly refined state. Changes in IC engine are therefore largely incremental in nature. A deterrent towards development of an engine configuration that is significantly different from its predecessor is the phenomenal cost involved in prototyping. Thus, the only viable alternative in exploring new engine concepts and even optimizing designs currently in operation is through extensive use of CAE. In light of published work in the field of analysis of IC engines, current research effort is directed towards development of a rational methodology for arriving at a weight-optimized engine design, which simultaneously meets performance of various attributes such as thermal, durability, vehicle dynamics and NVH. This is in contrast to the current methodology adopted in industry, according to which separate teams work on aspects of engine design such as combustion, NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness), acoustics, dynamics, heat transfer and durability. Because of the involvement of heterogeneous product development groups, optimization of an engine for weight, which can have a significant impact on its power-to-weight ratio, becomes a slow process beset with manual interventions and compromise solutions. Thus, following the traditional approach, it is quite difficult to claim that an unambiguous weight-optimized design has been achieved. As a departure from the practiced approach, the present research effort is directed at the deployment of a single multi-physics explicit analysis solver, viz. LS-DYNA - generally known for its contact-impact analysis capabilities, for simultaneously evaluating a given engine design for heat transfer, mechanical and thermal loading, and vibration. It may be mentioned that only combustion analysis is carried out in an uncoupled manner, using proven phenomenological thermodynamic relations, to initially arrive at mechanical and thermal loading/boundary conditions for the coupled thermo-mechanical analysis. The proposed methodology can thus be termed as a semi-integrated technique and its efficacy is established with the case study of designing a single cylinder air-cooled diesel engine from scratch and its optimization.

Pre-Chamber combustion systems are gaining popularity in Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) with the increasing emissions regulations due to their advantages in improving fuel economy by increasing the lean limit and cutting emission, especially NOx. In pre-chamber Combustion, flame jets shoot out from the pre-chamber orifices into the main chamber and generates several ignition points that promote a rapid burn rate of the lean mixture (air-excess ratio (λ) >1) in the main chamber. This work focused on studying two different fuels in the main chamber, lean limit, combustion efficiency (ηc), and emissions. A single-cylinder heavy-duty engine equipped with a narrow throat active pre-chamber was used. Two fuels were tested in the main chamber, Methane (CH4) and Ethanol (C2H5OH), the first fuel is used as a baseline, while keeping the pre-chamber fueled by Methane only. The engine was operated at a fixed speed, intake pressure, and spark-timing. The amount of fuel injected was varied to attain different global λ, then at each global λ; the amount of fuel injected to the Pre-chamber was varied to observe the effect of the pre-chamber λ. Different air intake temperatures were tested to see the effect on combustion efficiency. Results from the study showed an increase in the lean-limit using Ethanol in the main chamber compared to using only Methane in both chambers. However, lower ηc than that of the Methane was reported; this is due to a combination of the narrow-throat feature and the high heat of vaporization of Ethanol, ηc showed improvement when the air intake temperature increased.

Internal combustion engines, used for light duty transportation, represent a major role in mobility, contributing 28.6% to CO$_2$ emissions worldwide. To mitigate environmental impact and ease the transition to clean technologies, the search for more efficient, less polluting engines has been demanded, and unique tools are necessary to meet the constantly upgraded policies. Hence, data-driven approaches that emulate current vehicles represent a valuable contribution to the improvement of engine performance. Dynamometer tests of commercial engines are open-data, and a dependable source for understanding on-road behavior of several vehicle variables. Artificial neural network (ANN) algorithms, a subset of machine learning, have received considerable attention recently given their wide number of applications and the possibility to provide accurate data-driven approximations. This work describes a methodology for applying ANN’s to predict emissions, efficiency, and fuel consumption in combustion engines using dynamometer test data, and to extrapolate its use in new technologies. The procedure is also applied to a hybrid vehicle case study. The proposed methodology accurately generates ANN’s for the prediction of brake thermal efficiency (BTE), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and emissions in conventional engines with 𝑅$^2$>0.91 and mean absolute errors (MAE) of less than five percent. Using the same approach, the hybrid vehicle state of charge (SOC), and the fuel scale state, are predicted, showing good agreement 𝑅$^2$>0.96 and confirming the versatility of the proposed algorithm. Finally, an initial approach for dealing with missing data in the databases is introduced. Using various simple and iterative imputation methods, it was possible to obtain 𝑅$^2$>0.80 for predicting the BTE and BSFC with five percent of the data missing from the input values.