2002-01-2702

Title: Numerical evaluation of a methanol-fueled directly injected engine

Publication Date: 10-21-2002

Information Group: Technical Papers

Language: English

 

Abstract:

A numerical study on the combustion of methanol in a directly injected (DI) engine was conducted. The study considers the effect of the bowl-in-piston (BIP) geometry, swirl ratio (SR), and relative equivalence ratio (λ), on flame propagation and burn rate of methanol in a 4-stroke engine. Ignition-assist in this engine was accomplished by a spark plug system.

Numerical simulations of two different BIP geometries were considered. Combustion characteristics of methanol under swirl and no-swirl conditions were investigated. In addition, the amount of injected fuel was varied in order to determine the effect of stoichiometry on combustion. Only the compression and expansion strokes were simulated. The results show that fuel-air mixing, combustion, and flame propagation was significantly enhanced when swirl was turned on. This resulted in a higher peak pressure in the cylinder, and more heat loss through the cylinder walls. In addition, the results indicate that when a stoichiometric mixture was used, incomplete combustion occurred.

 

Index Terms:

Alcohols;      Alternative fuels;      Combustion processes;      Direct injection;      Flame propagation;      Spark ignition engines;     

Author(s):

Name

Affiliation

Bassem H. Ramadan

Kettering Univ.

Fakhri Hamady

U.S. EPA

Charles L. Gray @sJr.

U.S. EPA

Karl H. Hellman

U.S. EPA

Schock Harold J. Schock

Michigan State Univ.

Other Info:

Publisher: Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., Warrendale, Pennsylvania, USA
Publishers Segment: SAE
Country of Publication: United States
Document Source: 
Document Category: N/A

Meeting Name: Powertrain and Fluid Systems Conference and Exhibition
Meeting Location: San Diego, California, USA
Meeting Start Date: 10-21-2002
Meeting End Date: 10-24-2002
Larger Publication: SP-1720
Presenter: United States
Designation: 
Section: