Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

This thesis deals with turbulent mixing processes occurring in internal combustion engines, when applying exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). EGR is a very efficient way to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in internal combustion engines. Exhaust gases are recirculated and mixed with the fresh intake air, reducing the oxygen con- centration of the combustion gas and thus the peak combustion temperatures. This temperature decrease results in a reduction of NOx emissions. When applying EGR, one is often faced with non-uniform distribution of exhaust among and inside the cylinders, deteriorating the emission performance. The mixing of exhaust gases and air is governed by the flow in the engine intake manifold, which is characterized by unsteadiness due to turbulence and engine pulsations. Moreover, the density cannot be assumed to be constant due to the presence of large temperature variations.Different flow cases having these characteristics are computed by compressible Large Eddy Simulations (LES). First, the stationary flows in two T-junction type geometries are investigated. The method is validated by comparison with experimental data and the accuracy of the simulations is confirmed by grid sensitivity studies. The flow structures and the unsteady flow modes are described for a range of mass flow ratios between the main and the branch inlet. A comparison to RANS computations showed qualitatively different flow fields.Thereafter, pulsating inflow conditions are prescribed on the branch inlet in or- der to mimic the large pulsations occurring in the EGR loop. The flow modes are investigated using Dynamical Mode Decomposition (DMD).After having established the simulation tool, the flow in a six-cylinder engine is simulated. The flow is studied by Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) and DMD. The mixing quality is studied in terms of cylinder-to-cylinder non-uniformity and temporal and spatial variances. It was found that cycle-averaging of the concentration may give misleading results. A sensitivity study with respect to changes in the boundary conditions showed that the EGR pulsations, have large influence on the results. This could also be shown by POD of the concentration field showing the significance of the pulses for the maldistribution of exhaust gases.Finally, the flow in an intake manifold of a four-cylinder engine is investigated in terms of EGR distribution. For this geometry, pipe bends upstream of the EGR inlet were found to be responsible for the maldistribution. / <p>QC 20130207</p>

Originally presented as the author's Thesis--Universität Hamburg, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

This thesis considers the effect of compression ratio on the performance of a direct injection diesel engine. One aspect of engine performance is considered in great detail, namely the combustion performance at increased clearance volume. This aspect was of particular interest because variable compression ratio (VCR) systems normally operate by varying the clearance volume. The investigation relied upon results obtained both from experimental and computer simulating models. The experimental tests were carried out using a single-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine, under simulated turbocharged conditions at a reduced compression ratio. A number of one-dimensional computer models were developed; these simulate the induction and compression strokes, and the fuel spray trajectories in the presence of air swirl. The major objectives of the investigation were: to assess the benefits of VCR in terms of improvements in output power and fuel economy; to assess the effects on combustion of increased clearance volume, and investigate methods for ameliorating resulting problems; develop computational models which could aid understanding of the combustion process under varying clearance volume conditions. It was concluded that at the reduced compression ratio of 12.9:1 (compared to the standard value of 17.4:1 for the naturally-aspirated engine), brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) could be increased by more than 50%, and the brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) could be reduced by more than 20%. These improvements were achieved without the maximum cylinder pressure or engine temperatures exceeding the highest values for the standard engine. Combustion performance deteriorated markedly, but certain modifications to the injection system proved successful in ameliorating the problems. These included: increase in the number of injector nozzle holes from 3 to 4, increase in injection rate by about 28%, advancing injection timing by about 6°CA. In addition, operation with weaker air fuel ratio, in the range of 30 to 40:1 reduced smoke emissions and improved BSFC. Use of intercooling under VCR conditions provided only modest gains in performance. The NO emission was found to be insensitive to engine operating conditions (fixed compression ratio of 12.9:1), as long as the peak cylinder pressure was maintained constant. Engine test results were used in order to assess the accuracy of four published correlations for predicting ignition delay. The best prediction of ignition delay with these correlations deviated by up to 50% from the measured values. The computer simulation models provided useful insights into the fuel distribution within the engine cylinder. It also became possible to quantify the interaction between the swirling air and the fuel sprays, using two parameters: the crosswind and impingement velocities of the fuel spray when it impinges on the piston-bowl walls. Tentative trends were identified which showed that high crosswind velocity coincided with lower smoke emissions and lower BSFC.

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Missouri University of Science and Technology, 2008. / Vita. The entire thesis text is included in file. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed April 28, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 170-176).

Thesis (M.S.)--Mississippi State University. Department of Mechanical Engineering. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Orientador: Jose Luz Silveira / Coorientadora: Eliana Vieira Canettieri / Coorientador: Antonio Wagner Forti / Banca: Nestor proenza Pérez / Banca: Ederaldo Godoy Junior / Resumo: O motor Stirling é um motor de combustão externa que opera com diferenças de temperaturas, produzindo trabalho mecânico e eletricidade. Esse tipo de motor opera em um ciclo fechado, que através do uso de uma fonte quente e uma fria, expande e comprime um fluido de trabalho (ar, hélio ou hidrogênio, dentre os mais comuns), fornecendo assim o movimento de um pistão. Pode operar com calor residual e também com a queima de qualquer tipo de combustível (gás natural, diesel, gasolina, etc). Essa tecnologia tem se destacado para o desenvolvimento de sistemas que operam com biocombustíveis (biogás e syngas) e com energias renováveis, como por exemplo, caso de uso de concentradores solares. Este trabalho tem como objetivo estudar as performances termodinâmica, econômica e ambiental de um sistema Stirling operando com sistema de alimentação a biogás e energia solar, aplicado para a geração de energia elétrica descentralizada. São realizados estudos dos aspectos termodinâmicos do ciclo Stirling, com foco no funcionamento e no trabalho do motor. São efetuadas análises técnicas do sistema operando com câmara de combustão a biogás e utilizando energia de concentrador solar parabólico. Em etapa final são analisados e comparados os aspectos econômicos e ambientais do sistema acionado por biogás e energia solar. Os resultados obtidos mostraram pela teoria de Schmidt uma eficiência do motor Stirling de 67%. Da análise econômica, fica evidente que um maior número de horas de operação corrobora ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The Stirling engine is an external combustion engine that operates at varying temperatures, producing mechanical work or electricity. This type of engine operates in a closed cycle, which through the use of a hot and cold source expands and compresses a working fluid (air, helium or hydrogen, among the most common), thus providing the movement of a piston. It can operate with residual heat and also with the burning of any type of fuel (natural gas, diesel, gasoline, etc.). This technology has been outstanding for the development of hybrid systems that operate with biofuels (biogas and syngas) and with renewable energies, as for example, case of use of solar concentrators. This work aims to study the thermodynamic, economic and environmental performances of a Stirling system operating with a biogas and solar energy supply system, applied for the generation of decentralized electric energy. Studies are carried out on the thermodynamic aspects of the Stirling cycle, focusing on the operation and work of the engine. Technical analysis of the system is carried out using a biogas combustion chamber and using parabolic solar concentrator energy. In the final stage are analyzed and compared the economic and environmental aspects of the system activated by biogas and solar energy. The results showed that through the thermodynamic analysis by the Schmidt theory, a Stirling engine efficiency of 67% was obtained. From the economic analysis, it is evident that a greater number of hours of operation corroborates with economic viability. As for the environmental aspects, the ecological efficiency value of the Stirling engine operating biogas is 98.02%. In the case of the solar system using concentrator to power the Stirling engine, the ecological efficiency indicates is about 98%. It is concluded that the use of renewable sources, allow good levels of efficiency of electric power ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre