<div>The commercial vehicle sector is an important enabler of the economy and is heavily dependent on fossil fuels. In the fight against climate change, reduction of emissions by improving fuel economy is a key step for the commercial vehicle sector. Improving fuel economy deals with reducing energy losses from fuel to the wheels. This study aims to analyze efficiency improvements for two systems that are important in reducing CO2 emissions - hybrid powertrains and natural gas engines. At first, a prototype series hybrid powertrain was analyzed based on on-highway data collected from its powertrain components. Work done per mile by the electrical components of the powertrain showed inefficient battery operation. The net energy delivery of the battery was close to zero at the end of the runs. This indicated battery was majorly used as an energy storage device. Roughly 15% of losses were observed in the power electronics to supply power from battery and generator to the motor. Ability of the hybrid system to capture regenerative energy and utilize it to propel the vehicle is a primary cause for fuel savings. The ability of this system to capture the regenerative energy was studied by modeling the system. The vehicle model demonstrated that the system was capturing most of the theoretically available regenerative energy. The thesis also demonstrates the possibility of reduction of vehicular level losses for the prototype truck. Drag and rolling resistance coefficients were estimated based on two coast down tests conducted. The ratio of captured regenerative to the drive energy energy for estimated drag and rolling resistant coefficients showed that the current system utilizes 4%-9% of its drive energy from the captured regenerative energy. Whereas a low mileage Peterbilt 579 truck could increase the energy capture ratio to 8%-18% for the same drive profile and route. Decrease in the truck’s aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance can potentially improve the fuel benefits.</div><div>The second study aimed to reduce the engine level pumping losses for a natural gas spark ignition engine by cylinder deactivation (CDA). Spark ignited stoichiometric engines with an intake throttle valve encounter pumping/throttling losses at low speed, low loads due to the restriction of intake air by the throttle body. A simulation study for CDA on a six cylinder natural gas engine model was performed in GT- Power. The simulations were ran for steady state operating points with a torque range 25-560 ftlbs and 1600 rpm. Two , three and four cylinders were deactivated in the simulation study. CDA showed significant fuel benefits with increase in brake thermal efficiency and reduction in brake specific fuel consumption depending on the number of deactivated cylinders. The fuel benefits tend to decrease with increase in torque. Engine cycle efficiencies were analyzed to investigate the efficiency improvements. The open cycle efficiency is the main contributor to the overall increase in the brake thermal efficiency. The work done by the engine to overcome the gas exchange during the intake and exhaust stroke is referred to the pumping losses. The reduction in pumping losses cause an improvement in the open cycle efficiency. By deactivating cylinders, the engine meets its low torque requirements by increase in the intake manifold pressure. Increased intake manifold pressure also resulted in reduction of the pumping loop indicating reduced pumping losses. A major limitation of the CDA strategy was ability to meet EGR fraction requirements. The increase in intake manifold pressure also caused a reduction in the delta pressure across the EGR valve. At higher torques with high EGR requirements CDA strategy was unable to meet the required EGR fraction targets. This limited the benefits of CDA to a specific torque range based on the number of deactivated cylinders. Some variable valve actuation strategies were suggested to overcome this challenge and extend the benefits of CDA for a greater torque range.</div><div><br></div>

[pt] O desempenho de veículos automotivos é um importante atributo a ser avaliado quando motores de combustão interna e novos combustíveis estão sendo desenvolvidos. A previsão desse parâmetro também é de suma importância, uma vez que os testes de desempenho de automóveis em pista requerem prazos de realização e altos custos com equipamentos, aluguel da pista, contratação de pessoas e deslocamento de veículos e combustíveis. Além disso, seus resultados são diretamente afetados por irregularidades na superfície da pista e variações nas condições climáticas, como pressão ambiente, temperatura, umidade do ar e velocidade do vento. Assim, este trabalho tem como objetivo utilizar os dados coletados em testes de bancada com um motor de combustão interna com a finalidade de modelar os testes de retomada de velocidade de um automóvel convencional leve. A metodologia proposta simula a força de tração nas rodas a partir do torque medido no dinamômetro do motor ou a partir das curvas de pressão no interior da câmara de combustão com o auxílio de modelos de atrito para motores de ignição por centelha. Para validar o modelo proposto, foi necessário realizar testes de retomada de velocidade com o carro em um dinamômetro de chassi. Além disso, foram utilizadas sete misturas diferentes de etanol e gasolina, e concluiu-se que o etanol anidro puro promoveu maior capacidade de aceleração na maioria dos experimentos, mas apresentou maior consumo de combustível. Os combustíveis hidratados reduziram o desempenho, mas melhoraram a eficiência global. As simulações demonstraram alta precisão em relação ao experimento, com média da diferença do tempo de recuperação da velocidade de 0,51 segundos e desvio padrão de 0,078. Além disso, as simulações de desempenho de aceleração tiveram erros menores que 5,25 por cento. Além disso, a realização desses testes em laboratório tem a vantagem de um maior controle das condições ambientais da sala e dos parâmetros de operação do motor. / [en] Vehicle performance is an important feature to be evaluated when internal combustion engines and new fuels are being developed. Predicting this parameter is also of great significance, once track testing requires long periods of time to be done and high costs with equipment, rental of the track, hiring people and displacement of vehicles and fuels. In addition, their results are directly affected by track surface irregularities and variations in weather conditions such as ambient pressure, temperature, air humidity and wind speed. Thus, this work aims to use collected data in bench tests with an internal combustion engine in order to modeling an automobile speed recovery time. The proposed methodology simulates the traction force on the wheels based on the measured torque in engine dynamometer or from the pressure curves inside the combustion chamber with the aid of friction models for spark ignition engines. In order to validate the proposed model, it became necessary to perform speed recovery tests with the car on a chassis dynamometer. Also, seven different mixtures of ethanol and gasoline were used, and it was concluded that pure anhydrous ethanol promoted a higher acceleration capacity in most of the experiments but it had higher fuel consumption. Hydrated fuels reduced performance but improved global efficiency. The simulations demonstrated a high precision in relation to the experiment, with a speed recovery time diference average of 0.51 seconds and standard deviation of 0.078. Also, the acceleration performance simulations had errors smaller than 5.25 percent. In addition, doing these tests in laboratory has the advantage of a greater control of the room ambient conditions and the engine operating parameters.

En la presente tesis se desarrolla un sistema de control de la mezcla de aire y gasolina en un motor alternativo de cuatro tiempos, basado en redes neuronales. Para que el catalizador logre un grado de depuración aceptable con todos los gases contaminantes simultáneamente, debe mantenerse la proporción de aire y combustible, dentro de una banda muy estrecha. En estado estacionario, este objetivo se cumple sin demasiados problemas, pero el funcionamiento habitual de un vehículo es en régimen muy transitorio, donde los sistemas convencionales no logran evitar desviaciones importantes del punto de consigna. Estos se basan además en una gran cantidad de tablas estáticas, que deben calibrarse de forma experimental, lo cual es bastante costoso tanto en tiempo como en dinero.Para evitar estos problemas se ha diseñado un modelo matemático de un motor, que comprende todo el proceso de formación de la mezcla, sensores, la generación del par motor y la dinámica del vehículo. La realización final se ha realizado en el lenguaje de simulación MatLab/Simulink®. Los datos requeridos son fácilmente obtenibles bien por metrología, bien de forma experimental. Se ha validado con un motor SEAT de 1,6 l y 74 kW.Como primer paso se ha aplicado una estrategia de control convencional bastante simple, consistente en un controlador feedforward estático, más un controlador feedback de tipo PI ó PID. Esto ha permitido el estudio de las principales características del motor desde el punto de vista de control. Con los resultados obtenidos se ha diseñado un observador basado en una red neuronal, que elimine los retardos puros del sistema y que pueda ser utilizado para cerrar el lazo de control. Primero se ha usado una red feedforward, pero vistos los malos resultados, se ha desarrollado una red neuronal recurrente a partir de la red de Elman, que se ha modificado convenientemente para adaptarla a las dificultades propias del problema. El algoritmo de entrenamiento utilizado se basa en el de retropropagación clásico, y modifica no sólo los pesos entre capas, sino también los correspondientes a las neuronas de contexto, las cuales permiten memorizar estados internos. La principal mejora consiste en separar las neuronas de contexto en tantos grupos como entradas tiene la red, y entrenarlos por separado, de modo que cada grupo se adapte a la dinámica particular de la entrada a la que va asociado. Se muestra mediante simulación el comportamiento del conjunto motor más observador en lazo cerrado, y se compara con el esquema convencional. Se prueba asimismo la robustez del sistema frente a distintas consignas, ruido en la planta y defectos de sintonía. / In the present thesis a control system for the air-fuel mixture in a reciprocating four-stroke engine is developed, based on neural networks. The air-fuel ratio has to be kept within a very narrow window so that the catalyst achieves an acceptable degree of purification simultaneously with all the polluting gases. In steady state, this goal can be fulfilled without difficulties, but the usual operation of a vehicle is in a very transient state, where the conventional systems are not able to avoid important excursions from the set point. They also rely on a great number of look-up tables, which have to be tuned experimentally, thus with an enormous investment of money and time.To avoid those problems a mathematical model of an engine has been designed, in such a way that it comprises of the whole mixture formation process, sensors, the torque generation and the vehicle dynamics. Finally it has been implemented in the simulation language MatLab/Simulink®. The required data is easily available both from metrology, and experimental work. It has been validated with a 1,6 litre 74 kW SEAT engine.As a first step, a quite simple conventional control strategy has been applied, consisting of a static feedforward controller, and a PI or PID feedback controller. This has permitted studying the main features of the engine from the control point of view.With the obtained results an observer based on a neural network has been designed, which eliminates the delays of the system and that can be used to close the control loop. First a feedforward network has been used, but due to the bad results, a recurrent neural network has been developed starting from the Elman network, which has been properly modified in order to adapt it to the characteristic difficulties of the problem. The training algorithm used is based on that of classical backpropagation, and it modifies not only the weights interconnecting different layers, but also those corresponding to the context neurons, which allow the memorising of internal states. The main improvement consists in separating the context neurons in as many groups as the network has inputs, and to train them separately, so that each group adapts to the particular dynamics of the input with which it is associated. The behaviour of the engine plus the observer in closed loop is shown by means of simulation, and is compared with the conventional scheme. It is proven the robustness of system response to different set points, noise in the plant and tuning defects.

This work concerns a systematic study of IC engine operation with 100% biogas as fuel (as opposed to the dual-fuel mode) with particular emphasis on operational issues and the quest for high efficiency strategies. As a first step, a commercially available 1.2 kW genset engine is modified for biogas operation. The conventional premixing of air and biogas is compared with a new manifold injection strategy. The effect of biogas composition on engine performance is also studied. Results from the genset engine study indicate a very low overall efficiency of the system. This is mainly due to the very low compression ratio (4.5) of the engine. To gain further insight into factors that contribute to this low efficiency, thermodynamic engine simulations are conducted. Reasonable agreement with experiments is obtained after incorporating estimated combustion durations. Subsequently, the model is used as a tool to predict effect of different parameters such as compression ratio, spark timing and combustion durations on engine performance and efficiency. Simulations show that significant improvement in performance can be obtained at high compression ratios. As a step towards developing a more efficient system and based on insight obtained from simulations, a high compression ratio (9.2) engine is selected. This engine is coupled to a 3 kW alternator and operated on 100% biogas. Both strategies, i.e., premixing and manifold injection are implemented. The results show very high overall (chemical to electrical) efficiencies with a maximum value of 22% at 1.4 kW with the manifold injection strategy. The new manifold injection strategy proposed here is found to be clearly superior to the conventional premixing method. The main reasons are the higher volumetric efficiency (25% higher than that for the premixing mode of supply) and overall lean operation of the engine across the entire load range. Predictions show excellent agreement with measurements, enabling the model to be used as a tool for further study. Simulations suggest that a higher compression ratio (up to 13) and appropriate spark advance can lead to higher engine power output and efficiency.

Aujourd’hui, les constructeurs automobiles continuent de chercher les technologies renouvelables face à la pénurie d’énergie et les problèmes d’émission de polluants. Un moyen important pour optimiser l’économie de carburant et réduire les émissions polluantes des moteurs à allumage commandés est le concept ‘downsizing’. Cependant, ce concept est limité par le phénomène de cliquetis dû aux conditions de haute température et haut pression. Dans cette étude, le contrôle de la concentration d’oxygène dans l’air est proposé. Car d’une part, la combustion enrichie en oxygène permet d’améliorer la densité de puissance de moteur avec le même niveau de pression d’admission. Cela permet soit de ‘booster’ la combustion pour augmenter la puissance du moteur ou de l’activer lorsque le moteur fonctionne à faible charge ou dans des conditions de démarrage à froid. D’autre part, une faible concentration en oxygène dans l’air (ou dilution de N2) par un système membranaire peut être considérée comme une alternative à la recirculation des gaz d’échappement. Les expériences ont été effectuées dans un moteur monocylindre ‘downsizing’ avec différents taux d’oxygène et richesse. L’étude de l’impact du contrôle de la concentration d’oxygène sur les caractéristiques de combustion et d’émissions a été effectuée pour plusieurs charges en fonctionnement optimum pour limiter la consommation spécifique de carburant. L’effet de la concentration en oxygène sur les caractéristiques de combustion du moteur a été simulé en utilisant le logiciel commercial AMESim avec le modèle de combustion développé par IFP-EN. En mettant en oeuvre des corrélations de la vitesse de combustion laminaire, déterminées au préalable durant ce travail, et délai d’auto-inflammation, les pressions dans les cylindres sont parfaitement calibrés avec une erreur maximale inférieure à 2% et l’intensité du cliquetis a pu être prédite. / Nowadays, car manufacturers continue to lead researches on new technologies facing to the energy shortage and pollutant emission problems. A major way to optimise fuel economy and reduce pollutant emissions for Spark-Ignition (SI) engines is the downsizing concept. However, this concept is unfortunately limited by ‘knock’ phenomena (abnormal combustion) due to high temperature and high pressure in-cylinder conditions. In the present study, control the oxygen concentration in air is proposed. Indeed, on the one hand, oxygen-enriched combustion can improve engine power density with the same intake pressure level. Thus, oxygen-enriched combustion can be used either as a booster to increase engine output or as a combustion enhancer when the engine operates at low loads or in cold start conditions. On the other hand, low oxygen concentration in air (or N2 dilution) can be considered as an alternative to exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). The experiments were carried out in a downsized single-cylinder SI engine with different rates of oxygen and equivalence ratios. The study of the impact of controlling oxygen concentration on the combustion characteristics and emissions was performed at several loads by optimizing the spark advance and the intake pressure to maintain the load and obtain a minimum value of indicated Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC). The effect of oxygen concentration on the engine combustion characteristics was simulated by using the commercial software AMESim, with the combustion model developed by IFP-EN. By implementing correlations for the laminar burning velocity, determined previously during this study, and auto-ignition delay data base, the in-cylinder pressures were perfectly calibrated with a maximum pressure relative error less than 2%, and the knock intensity was predicted.

In order to meet future emission norms for small carbureted SI engines, such as those used on motorcycles in India, there is a need to study mixture preparation, specifically the two-phase flow exiting the carburetor and entering the inlet manifold. A fully functional, modular experimental rig is designed and erected for performing both qualitative and quantitative flow visualization. The vibrations of the engine are minimized to reduce their effect on the flow. A special, optically accessible tube of square cross-section is added between the carburetor and the inlet manifold, to enable the visualization of flow at the exit of the carburetor. An electronic circuit to obtain a signal for the engine crank angle and convert it to a standard TTL pulse, for use on standard imaging systems to capture cycle resolved-images is also designed. The flow in the optical section is qualitatively visualized using high and low speed cameras. The resulting images and movies show two modes of fuel transport within the inlet manifold, one of which is in the form of a dense cloud of fine fuel droplets during some part of the intake stroke. The second mode is in the form of a film at all times in the cycle, along the lower surface of the inlet manifold during idling and along vertical walls under loaded conditions. Recirculation is seen on the vertical walls of the manifold during idling and under load. Finally, the thickness of the fuel film in the optical section at the exit of the carburetor is measured, using PLIF. This part of the study also reveals that there is a film on upper surface of the optical section, at all loads and speeds. This film is lesser than the resolution of measurement for low loads, and increases to 0.5 mm in the case of highest load and speed attained at full throttle. In contrast to the loaded conditions, during idling, the film occurs on the lower surface of the manifold and its thickness is highest (1 mm.). The film is also present throughout the cycle during idling and all load-speed conditions, suggesting that the mixture that goes into the engine has a significant part of fuel in liquid form.

<div>Stoichiometric air-fuel ratio (AFR) and air/EGR flow control are essential control problems in today’s advanced spark-ignited (SI) engines to enable effective application of the three-way-catalyst (TWC) and generation of required torque. External exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) can be used in SI engines to help mitigate knock, reduce enrichment and improve efficiency[1 ]. However, the introduction of the EGR system increases the complexity of stoichiometric engine-out lambda and torque management, particularly for high BMEP commercial vehicle applications. This thesis develops advanced frameworks for sensing and control architecture designs to enable robust air handling system management, stoichiometric cylinder air-fuel ratio (AFR) control and three-way-catalyst emission control.</div><div><br></div><div><div>The first work in this thesis derives a physically-based, control-oriented model for turbocharged SI engines utilizing cooled EGR and flexible VVA systems. The model includes the impacts of modulation to any combination of 11 actuators, including the throttle valve, bypass valve, fuel injection rate, waste-gate, high-pressure (HP) EGR, low-pressure (LP) EGR, number of firing cylinders, intake and exhaust valve opening and closing timings. A new cylinder-out gas composition estimation method, based on the inputs’ information of cylinder charge flow, injected fuel amount, residual gas mass and intake gas compositions, is proposed in this model. This method can be implemented in the control-oriented model as a critical input for estimating the exhaust manifold gas compositions. A new flow-based turbine-out pressure modeling strategy is also proposed in this thesis as a necessary input to estimate the LP EGR flow rate. Incorporated with these two sub-models, the control-oriented model is capable to capture the dynamics of pressure, temperature and gas compositions in manifolds and the cylinder. Thirteen physical parameters, including intake, boost and exhaust manifolds’ pressures, temperatures, unburnt and burnt mass fractions as well as the turbocharger speed, are defined as state variables. The outputs such as flow rates and AFR are modeled as functions of selected states and inputs. The control-oriented model is validated with a high fidelity SI engine GT-Power model for different operating conditions. The novelty in this physical modeling work includes the development and incorporation of the cylinder-out gas composition estimation method and the turbine-out pressure model in the control-oriented model.</div></div><div><br></div><div><div>The second part of the work outlines a novel sensor selection and observer design algorithm for linear time-invariant systems with both process and measurement noise based on <i>H</i>2 optimization to optimize the tradeoff between the observer error and the number of required sensors. The optimization problem is relaxed to a sequence of convex optimization problems that minimize the cost function consisting of the <i>H</i>2 norm of the observer error and the weighted <i>l</i>1 norm of the observer gain. An LMI formulation allows for efficient solution via semi-definite programing. The approach is applied here, for the first time, to a turbo-charged spark-ignited (SI) engine using exhaust gas recirculation to determine the optimal sensor sets for real-time intake manifold burnt gas mass fraction estimation. Simulation with the candidate estimator embedded in a high fidelity engine GT-Power model demonstrates that the optimal sensor sets selected using this algorithm have the best <i>H</i>2 estimation performance. Sensor redundancy is also analyzed based on the algorithm results. This algorithm is applicable for any type of modern internal combustion engines to reduce system design time and experimental efforts typically required for selecting optimal sensor sets.</div></div><div><br></div><div><div>The third study develops a model-based sensor selection and controller design framework for robust control of air-fuel-ratio (AFR), air flow and EGR flow for turbocharged stoichiometric engines using low pressure EGR, waste-gate turbo-charging, intake throttling and variable valve timing. Model uncertainties, disturbances, transport delays, sensor and actuator characteristics are considered in this framework. Based on the required control performance and candidate sensor sets, the framework synthesizes an H1 feedback controller and evaluates the viability of the candidate sensor set through analysis of the structured</div><div>singular value μ of the closed-loop system in the frequency domain. The framework can also be used to understand if relaxing the controller performance requirements enables the use of a simpler (less costly) sensor set. The sensor selection and controller co-design approach is applied here, for the first time, to turbo-charged engines using exhaust gas circulation. High fidelity GT-Power simulations are used to validate the approach. The novelty of the work in this part can be summarized as follows: (1) A novel control strategy is proposed for the stoichiometric SI engines using low pressure EGR to simultaneously satisfy both the AFR and air/EGR-path control performance requirements; (2) A parametrical method to simultaneously select the sensors and design the controller is first proposed for the internal combustion engines.</div></div><div><br></div><div><div>In the fourth part of the work, a novel two-loop estimation and control strategy is proposed to reduce the emission of the three-way-catalyst (TWC). In the outer loop, an FOS estimator consisting of a TWC model and an extended Kalman-filter is used to estimate the current TWC fractional oxygen state (FOS) and a robust controller is used to control the TWC FOS by manipulating the desired engine λ. The outer loop estimator and controller are combined with an existing inner loop controller. The inner loop controller controls the engine λ based on the desired λ value and the control inaccuracies are considered and compensated by the outer loop robust controller. This control strategy achieves good emission reduction performance and has advantages over the constant λ control strategy and the conventional two-loop switch-type control strategy.</div></div>

[ES] El transporte por carretera es uno de los sectores que más contribuyen al cambio climático. Por ello, muchos gobernantes a nivel mundial están promoviendo una transición hacia medios de transporte sostenibles que no dependan de combustibles fósiles. Sin embargo, debido a la falta de competitividad de las alternativas actuales, no parece factible, en el corto plazo, reducir significativamente el uso de los motores de combustión. Así pues, es probable que los motores de gasolina (MEP) mantengan su papel dominante en el sector automotriz durante los próximos años. De ahí que sea crucial seguir mejorando estos motores a fin de reducir su huella de carbono. Actualmente, es habitual fabricar motores MEP de pequeña cilindrada ("downsizing") con sistemas de sobrealimentación e inyección directa, a fin de reducir el consumo de combustible y las emisiones de CO2. Además, en la última década, se ha demostrado que la recirculación de gases de escape (EGR) puede mejorar la eficiencia de los motores MEP entre un 3 % y un 6 %, dependiendo del grado de carga. Como desventaja, para poder extraer todo el potencial de la estrategia EGR, es necesario trabajar con altas tasas de EGR, lo que puede causar ciertos problemas en condiciones transitorias. En esta tesis, se ha demostrado que el uso de altas tasas de EGR a través de sistemas de baja presión en motores MEP turboalimentados puede ralentizar la respuesta del motor y provocar fallos de encendido durante maniobras de aceleración y desaceleración, respectivamente. Con la entrada en vigor de nuevos procedimientos de homologación de vehículos, como el WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicle Test Procedure), donde las operaciones transitorias tienen un peso importante, los fabricantes buscan que sus motores consuman y emitan menos en un amplio rango de condiciones de operación, tanto estacionarias como transitorias. Por ello, el objetivo principal de esta tesis es analizar y optimizar el funcionamiento, en condiciones transitorias, de los motores MEP que operan con altas tasas de EGR. Para ello, se ha empleado un motor de gasolina (Euro 6) de 1.3l turboalimentado con inyección directa, distribución variable y turbina de geometría variable. Se ha desarrollado un modelo unidimensional (1D) del motor para el estudio de la fluidodinámica y los fenómenos de transporte en su interior. Por otro lado, se ha ensayado el motor para calibrar el modelo 1D y evaluar aspectos difícilmente predecibles con dicho modelo, como las emisiones contaminantes y la estabilidad de la combustión. Previo al estudio en condiciones transitorias, el motor fue calibrado con EGR, y se realizaron simulaciones para determinar el consumo de un vehículo convencional y otro híbrido, ambos con EGR, durante un ciclo WLTP. Finalmente, se concluyó que ciertas estrategias orientadas a mejorar el proceso de renovación de la carga pueden resolver la problemática del uso del EGR en condiciones transitorias. Eso sí, implementar dichas estrategias conllevaría un aumento en complejidad y costes. / [CA] El transport per carretera és un dels sectors que més contribueixen al canvi climàtic. Per això, molts governants a nivell mundial estan promovent una transició cap a mitjans de transport sostenibles que no depenguen de combustibles fòssils. No obstant això, a causa de la falta de competitivitat de les alternatives actuals, no sembla factible, en el curt termini, reduir significativament l'ús dels motors de combustió. Així doncs, és probable que els motors de gasolina (MEP) mantinguen el seu paper dominant en el sector automotriu durant els pròxims anys. D'ací ve que siga crucial continuar millorant aquests motors a fi de reduir la seua petjada de carboni. Actualment, és habitual fabricar motors MEP de xicoteta cilindrada ("downsizing") amb sistemes de sobrealimentació i injecció directa, a fi de reduir el consum de combustible i les emissions de CO2. A més, en l'última dècada, s'ha demostrat que la recirculació de gasos d'escapament (EGR) pot millorar l'eficiència dels motors MEP entre un 3% i un 6%, depenent del grau de càrrega. Com a desavantatge, per a poder extraure tot el potencial de l'estratègia EGR, és necessari treballar amb altes taxes de EGR, la qual cosa pot causar uns certs problemes en condicions transitòries. En aquesta tesi, s'ha demostrat que l'ús d'altes taxes de EGR a través de sistemes de baixa pressió en motors MEP turboalimentats pot alentir la resposta del motor i provocar fallades d'encesa durant maniobres d'acceleració i desacceleració, respectivament. Amb l'entrada en vigor de nous procediments d'homologació de vehicles, com el WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicle Test Procedure), on les operacions transitòries tenen un pes important, els fabricants busquen que els seus motors consumisquen i emeten menys en un ampli rang de condicions d'operació, tant estacionàries com transitòries. Per això, l'objectiu principal d'aquesta tesi és analitzar i optimitzar el funcionament, en condicions transitòries, dels motors MEP que operen amb altes taxes de EGR. Per a això, s'ha emprat un motor de gasolina (Euro 6) de 1.3l turboalimentat amb injecció directa, distribució variable i turbina de geometria variable. S'ha desenvolupat un model unidimensional (1D) del motor per a l'estudi de la fluidodinàmica i els fenòmens de transport en el seu interior. D'altra banda, s'ha assajat el motor per a calibrar el model 1D i avaluar aspectes difícilment predictibles amb aquest model, com les emissions contaminants i l'estabilitat de la combustió. Previ a l'estudi en condicions transitòries, el motor va ser calibrat amb EGR, i es van realitzar simulacions per a determinar el consum d'un vehicle convencional i un altre híbrid, tots dos amb EGR, durant un cicle WLTP. Finalment, es va concloure que unes certes estratègies orientades a millorar el procés de renovació de la càrrega poden resoldre la problemàtica de l'ús del EGR en condicions transitòries. Això sí, implementar aquestes estratègies comportaria un augment en complexitat i costos. / [EN] Road transport is a major contributor to climate change. However, given the lack of competitiveness of fossil fuel-free alternatives, it does not seem possible to reduce the dependence on the internal combustion engine (ICE) as rapidly as planned by the authorities. Advanced gasoline engines will therefore hold a high market share in the automobile industry in the following years, at least during the next decade, either working in conventional or hybrid powertrains. Hence it is essential to keep improving these engines to reduce the negative impact of light-duty vehicles on the environment. The most used strategy to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in current spark-ignition (SI) gasoline engines is downsizing combined with direct injection (DI). Besides, downsizing must go hand in hand with turbocharging to maintain peak power. It is also proven that exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) can improve fuel economy in SI engines by 3-6% at medium and high loads. As a disadvantage, extracting the full benefit from EGR requires operating with high recirculation rates (close to the EGR dilution limit), leading to some issues under transient conditions. In this thesis, it is demonstrated that high EGR operation through long-route systems in turbocharged engines can potentially originate combustion instabilities and poor engine response during load-decrease (tip-out) and load-increase (tip-in) maneuvers, respectively. Transient operations are especially important for manufacturers since the implementation of the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). The present thesis is therefore devoted to analyzing and optimizing the gasoline engine performance under high EGR conditions during relevant transient maneuvers. To this end, a Euro-6 1.3L turbocharged DI SI gasoline engine with a variable geometry turbine was employed. A 1D model of this ICE was developed to assess fluid dynamics and transport phenomena. Engine tests were also performed to validate the 1D model and evaluate torque response, combustion stability, and raw exhaust emissions. Before addressing the study of transient maneuvers, the engine calibration with EGR was carried out, and 0D conventional and hybrid vehicle simulations were done to determine the EGR benefit in fuel economy under WLTP driving conditions. Finally, tip-in and tip-out results revealed that some air management strategies are effective in meeting the transient EGR challenges in SI engines, but at the expense of increased complexity and costs. / González Domínguez, D. (2023). Analysis and Optimization of the Transient Operation of Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection Engines Under High EGR Conditions [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/193852