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.

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<div>Computational studies are performed on a Cambridge Stratified Swirl burner (SwB), a lean premixed stratified flame, by using the Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) model and the transported Probability Density Function (PDF) model. The SwB burner was measured</div><div>by Sweeney et al. (Combustion and Flame, 2012, 159: 2896-2911), and comprehensive data are available for model validation, e.g., the mean and root-mean-square values of velocity, temperature, and species mass fractions. The experimental data are available for sixteen different cases to investigate flames in premixed and stratified regimes, with or without swirl. In this study, we consider only non-swirling, premixed and stratified cases. Different</div><div>turbulence models are examined in the modeling studies, and the Reynolds Stress model with standard model constant values is found to perform well with the transported PDF model. A joint PDF for enthalpy and species mass fractions allows for the highly non-linear reaction term in the transport equation to be completely closed. The mixing term arising from molecular diffusion is not closed and requires modeling which is a significant challenge. For the SwB, we consider a series of mixing models including the Interaction by Exchange with the Mean (IEM) mixing model with different mixing model constants, the Modified Curl model, and two mixing models designed for premixed combustion from the literature. We first examine the models in the non-stratified/premixed case (SwB1) to isolate the effect</div><div>of other conditions from stratification on the model predictions. The stratification is then added in two levels, a moderately stratified case (SwB5) and a highly stratified case (SwB9). The predicted results are compared with the experimental data at various locations, inside and outside the recirculation zone in the burner. In general, good agreement is obtained for the velocity fields inside the recirculation zone. Good agreement is also obtained</div><div>of the predicted and measured results is obtained for the mean values of temperature and species mass fractions. The scalar fluctuations are generally underpredicted. Overall, the employed modeling method is able to capture the mean flame structure reasonably well in lean premixed stratified flames. Some limitations are noticed, e.g., the underprediction of scalar fluctuations, and overprediction of CH4 concentration in the stratified cases. These observations are useful for guiding the future research directions.</div>

<p dir="ltr">Addressing the pressing need for reduced carbon emissions, Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI) emerges as a promising technology for ultra-lean combustion, offering enhanced thermal efficiencies and minimized cyclic variability in spark-ignited engines. To facilitate rapid testing and integration of this technology, a robust computational modeling framework is crucial. This study delves into the predictive capabilities of computational models for main-chamber ignition and premixed flame propagation using a single-cycle TJI rig measured by Biswas et al. (Applied Thermal Engineering, volume 106, 2016). Employing an open-source compressible flow simulation solver with Large Eddy Simulation (LES) for turbulence modeling, the investigation integrates the conventional Laminar Finite Rate Chemistry (LFRC) model alongside the transported Probability Density Method (PDF) for turbulence-chemistry interaction. A fully-consistent Eulerian Monte-Carlo Fields (EMCF) method is utilized to approximate the transported PDF, while Interaction by Exchange with Mean is employed to close micro-mixing terms in stochastic differential equations. A reduced chemical reaction mechanism with 21 species and 84 reactions (DRM-19) is used for solving chemical kinetics, and a double Gaussian energy deposition model is used to approximate the spark ignition in the pre-chamber. An unstructured O-grid mesh with 0.3 million cells in the pre-chamber and 1 million cells in the main chamber is employed. Results are divided into two phases: pre-chamber initialization and full TJI simulations. Validation of the predicted pre-chamber flame propagation and the lean ignition in the main-chamber is carried out by using available experimental data. Under quiescent conditions, both the LFRC and transported PDF methods largely underestimate the flame speed and subsequent pressure growth in the pre-chamber. A linear momentum forcing technique is applied to investigate the impact of initial turbulence in the pre-chamber, demonstrating a notable influence on flame propagation. Fine-tuning of the forcing coefficient reproduces the sudden pressure growth observed in the experiment. The experimentally validated pre-chamber simulation serves as the initial condition for the full TJI simulations. It is found that the LFRC model fails to predict lean-ignition in the main-chamber, resulting in a misfiring event. Incorporation of turbulence-chemistry interaction using the transported PDF method substantially improves the prediction of the ignition event in the main-chamber, achieving fair qualitative agreement and quantitative validation of combustion parameters within 10% of the reported experimental data. The rich simulation results consisting of a full set of statistical description of the thermo-chemical states enable us to gain deep insights into the ignition mechanisms in the main chamber, which is limited when done experimentally. A novel dual ignition phenomenon is revealed in the TJI rig for the first time. Initially, a primary ignition kernel is formed at a downstream location which eventually detaches from the main jet. As the jet momentum decreases, a secondary ignition event follows, this time at a more upstream location which eventually combines with the primary ignition kernel to form a single connected flame front. Investigation of these ignition sequences in chemical composition space reveal distinct differences between the two. The primary ignition event in the main-chamber is followed by a large concentration of active radicals from the pre-chamber jet, accelerating the chain-branching steps, characterizing what has been referred to as flame ignition. In contrast, the secondary ignition occurs in the absence of active radicals in the pre-chamber jet, hence characterized as jet ignition. Further analysis of the effect of pre-chamber jet characteristics on lean ignition in the main-chamber is conducted by setting up cases with different initial pressure ratios (p_r^o) between the two chambers, a non-dimensional parameter, ranging from 1.2 to 3.2. As the initial pressure ratio increases, jet momentum increases, with dual ignition observed in cases above p_r^o= 2.2. Case with p_r^o= 3.2 lead to misfiring. The effect of ignition sequence on global combustion characteristics of TJI is analyzed. Dual ignition events lead to non-monotonicity in combustion characteristics such as global reaction progress variable, flame penetration, and global heat release rate. In dual ignition events, although the rate of fuel consumption and global heat release rate is initially lower, the secondary ignition leads to a sudden increase in flame surface area, resulting in a sudden jump and promoting the overall performance of the TJI system.</p>

[ES] El principal desafío en los motores turbina de gas empleados en aviación reside en aumentar la eficiencia del ciclo termodinámico manteniendo las emisiones contaminantes por debajo de las rigurosas restricciones. Ésto ha conllevado la necesidad de diseñar nuevas estrategias de inyección/combustión que operan en puntos de operación peligrosos por su cercanía al límite inferior de apagado de llama. En este contexto, el concepto Lean Direct Injection (LDI) ha emergido como una tecnología prometedora a la hora de reducir los óxidos de nitrógeno (NOx) emitidos por las plantas propulsoras de los aviones de nueva generación. En este contexto, la presente tesis tiene como objetivos contribuir al conocimiento de los mecanismos físicos que rigen el comportamiento de un quemador LDI y proporcionar herramientas de análisis para una profunda caracterización de las complejas estructuras de flujo de turbulento generadas en el interior de la cámara de combustión. Para ello, se ha desarrollado una metodología numérica basada en CFD capaz de modelar el flujo bifásico no reactivo en el interior de un quemador LDI académico mediante enfoques de turbulencia U-RANS y LES en un marco Euleriano-Lagrangiano. La resolución numérica de este problema multi-escala se aborda mediante la descripción completa del flujo a lo largo de todos los elementos que constituyen la maqueta experimental, incluyendo su paso por el swirler y entrada a la cámara de combustión. Ésto se lleva a cabo través de dos códigos CFD que involucran dos estrategias de mallado diferentes: una basada en algoritmos de generación y refinamiento automático de la malla (AMR) a través de CONVERGE y otra técnica de mallado estático más tradicional mediante OpenFOAM. Por un lado, se ha definido una metodología para obtener una estrategia de mallado óptima mediante el uso del AMR y se han explotado sus beneficios frente a los enfoques tradicionales de malla estática. De esta forma, se ha demostrado que la aplicabilidad de las herramientas de control de malla disponibles en CONVERGE como el refinamiento fijo (fixed embedding) y el AMR son una opción muy interesante para afrontar este tipo de problemas multi-escala. Los resultados destacan una optimización del uso de los recursos computacionales y una mayor precisión en las simulaciones realizadas con la metodología presentada. Por otro lado, el uso de herramientas CFD se ha combinado con la aplicación de técnicas de descomposición modal avanzadas (Proper Orthogonal Decomposition and Dynamic Mode Decomposition). La identificación numérica de los principales modos acústicos en la cámara de combustión ha demostrado el potencial de estas herramientas al permitir caracterizar las estructuras de flujo coherentes generadas como consecuencia de la rotura de los vórtices (VBB) y de los chorros fuertemente torbellinados presentes en el quemador LDI. Además, la implementación de estos procedimientos matemáticos ha permitido tanto recuperar información sobre las características de la dinámica de flujo como proporcionar un enfoque sistemático para identificar los principales mecanismos que sustentan las inestabilidades en la cámara de combustión. Finalmente, la metodología validada ha sido explotada a través de un Diseño de Experimentos (DoE) para cuantificar la influencia de los factores críticos de diseño en el flujo no reactivo. De esta manera, se ha evaluado la contribución individual de algunos parámetros funcionales (el número de palas del swirler, el ángulo de dichas palas, el ancho de la cámara de combustión y la posición axial del orificio del inyector) en los patrones del campo fluido, la distribución del tamaño de gotas del combustible líquido y la aparición de inestabilidades en la cámara de combustión a través de una matriz ortogonal L9 de Taguchi. Este estudio estadístico supone un punto de partida para posteriores estudios de inyección, atomización y combus / [CA] El principal desafiament als motors turbina de gas utilitzats a la aviació resideix en augmentar l'eficiència del cicle termodinàmic mantenint les emissions contaminants per davall de les rigoroses restriccions. Aquest fet comporta la necessitat de dissenyar noves estratègies d'injecció/combustió que radiquen en punts d'operació perillosos per la seva aproximació al límit inferior d'apagat de flama. En aquest context, el concepte Lean Direct Injection (LDI) sorgeix com a eina innovadora a l'hora de reduir els òxids de nitrogen (NOx) emesos per les plantes propulsores dels avions de nova generació. Sota aquest context, aquesta tesis té com a objectius contribuir al coneixement dels mecanismes físics que regeixen el comportament d'un cremador LDI i proporcionar ferramentes d'anàlisi per a una profunda caracterització de les complexes estructures de flux turbulent generades a l'interior de la càmera de combustió. Per tal de dur-ho a terme s'ha desenvolupat una metodología numèrica basada en CFD capaç de modelar el flux bifàsic no reactiu a l'interior d'un cremador LDI acadèmic mitjançant els enfocaments de turbulència U-RANS i LES en un marc Eulerià-Lagrangià. La resolució numèrica d'aquest problema multiescala s'aborda mitjançant la resolució completa del flux al llarg de tots els elements que constitueixen la maqueta experimental, incloent el seu pas pel swirler i l'entrada a la càmera de combustió. Açò es duu a terme a través de dos codis CFD que involucren estratègies de mallat diferents: una basada en la generación automàtica de la malla i en l'algoritme de refinament adaptatiu (AMR) amb CONVERGE i l'altra que es basa en una tècnica de mallat estàtic més tradicional amb OpenFOAM. D'una banda, s'ha definit una metodologia per tal d'obtindre una estrategia de mallat òptima mitjançant l'ús de l'AMR i s'han explotat els seus beneficis front als enfocaments tradicionals de malla estàtica. D'aquesta forma, s'ha demostrat que l'aplicabilitat de les ferramente de control de malla disponibles en CONVERGE com el refinament fixe (fixed embedding) i l'AMR són una opció molt interessant per tal d'afrontar aquest tipus de problemes multiescala. Els resultats destaquen una optimització de l'ús dels recursos computacionals i una major precisió en les simulacions realitzades amb la metodologia presentada. D'altra banda, l'ús d'eines CFD s'ha combinat amb l'aplicació de tècniques de descomposició modal avançades (Proper Orthogonal Decomposition and Dynamic Mode Decomposition). La identificació numèrica dels principals modes acústics a la càmera de combustió ha demostrat el potencial d'aquestes ferramentes al permetre caracteritzar les estructures de flux coherents generades com a conseqüència del trencament dels vòrtex (VBB) i dels raigs fortament arremolinats presents al cremador LDI. A més, la implantació d'estos procediments matemàtics ha permès recuperar informació sobre les característiques de la dinàmica del flux i proporcionar un enfocament sistemàtic per tal d'identificar els principals mecanismes que sustenten les inestabilitats a la càmera de combustió. Finalment, la metodologia validada ha sigut explotada a traves d'un Diseny d'Experiments (DoE) per tal de quantificar la influència dels factors crítics de disseny en el flux no reactiu. D'aquesta manera, s'ha avaluat la contribución individual d'alguns paràmetres funcionals (el nombre de pales del swirler, l'angle de les pales, l'amplada de la càmera de combustió i la posició axial de l'orifici de l'injector) en els patrons del camp fluid, la distribució de la mida de gotes del combustible líquid i l'aparició d'inestabilitats en la càmera de combustió mitjançant una matriu ortogonal L9 de Taguchi. Aquest estudi estadístic és un bon punt de partida per a futurs estudis de injecció, atomització i combustió en cremadors LDI. / [EN] Aeronautical gas turbine engines present the main challenge of increasing the efficiency of the cycle while keeping the pollutant emissions below stringent restrictions. This has led to the design of new injection-combustion strategies working on more risky and problematic operating points such as those close to the lean extinction limit. In this context, the Lean Direct Injection (LDI) concept has emerged as a promising technology to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) for next-generation aircraft power plants In this context, this thesis aims at contributing to the knowledge of the governing physical mechanisms within an LDI burner and to provide analysis tools for a deep characterisation of such complex flows. In order to do so, a numerical CFD methodology capable of reliably modelling the 2-phase nonreacting flow in an academic LDI burner has been developed in an Eulerian-Lagrangian framework, using the U-RANS and LES turbulence approaches. The LDI combustor taken as a reference to carry out the investigation is the laboratory-scale swirled-stabilised CORIA Spray Burner. The multi-scale problem is addressed by solving the complete inlet flow path through the swirl vanes and the combustor through two different CFD codes involving two different meshing strategies: an automatic mesh generation with adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) algorithm through CONVERGE and a more traditional static meshing technique in OpenFOAM. On the one hand, a methodology to obtain an optimal mesh strategy using AMR has been defined, and its benefits against traditional fixed mesh approaches have been exploited. In this way, the applicability of grid control tools available in CONVERGE such as fixed embedding and AMR has been demonstrated to be an interesting option to face this type of multi-scale problem. The results highlight an optimisation of the use of the computational resources and better accuracy in the simulations carried out with the presented methodology. On the other hand, the use of CFD tools has been combined with the application of systematic advanced modal decomposition techniques (i.e., Proper Orthogonal Decomposition and Dynamic Mode Decomposition). The numerical identification of the main acoustic modes in the chamber have proved their potential when studying the characteristics of the most powerful coherent flow structures of strongly swirled jets in a LDI burner undergoing vortex breakdown (VBB). Besides, the implementation of these mathematical procedures has allowed both retrieving information about the flow dynamics features and providing a systematic approach to identify the main mechanisms that sustain instabilities in the combustor. Last, this analysis has also allowed identifying some key features of swirl spray systems such as the complex pulsating, intermittent and cyclical spatial patterns related to the Precessing Vortex Core (PVC). Finally, the validated methodology is exploited through a Design of Experiments (DoE) to quantify the influence of critical design factors on the non-reacting flow. In this way, the individual contribution of some functional parameters (namely the number of swirler vanes, the swirler vane angle, the combustion chamber width and the axial position of the nozzle tip) into both the flow field pattern, the spray size distribution and the occurrence of instabilities in the combustion chamber are evaluated throughout a Taguchi's orthogonal array L9. Such a statistical study has supposed a good starting point for subsequent studies of injection, atomisation and combustion on LDI burners. / Belmar Gil, M. (2020). Computational study on the non-reacting flow in Lean Direct Injection gas turbine combustors through Eulerian-Lagrangian Large-Eddy Simulations [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/159882 / TESIS