The development of a quasi-dimensional model for dual fuel combustion in engine cycle-simulation

The research presented within this thesis gives an overview of the process of development, validation and application of a quasi-dimensional combustion model for the cycle-simulations in the conventional dual fuel internal combustion (IC) engines. The newly developed combustion model is called the Dual Fuel Multi Zone Combustion Model (DFMZCM), and has been integrated within the AVL cycle-simulation software (AVL Boost) Dual fuel engine is a term which is used for an IC engine that operates with two fuels simultaneously. However, this term is usually used to describe an IC engine that operates in the compression-ignition mode and is powered by a combination of the high and low reactivity fuels, mainly Diesel fuel and natural gas (methane). A conventional dual fuel engine operates with the port injected low reactivity fuel (natural gas) and directly injected high reactivity fuel (Diesel fuel). The combustion process in a conventional dual fuel engine shares characteristics with the combustion in the conventional compression-ignited and spark-ignited engines. In the initial stages the combustion in a conventional dual fuel IC engine is driven by the chemistry of the prepared fuel/air mixture, while in the later stages it is driven by both the fuel/ air/ combustion products mixing process and the flame propagation through the premixed mixture. The DFMZCM is a zero-dimensional (0-D) model, which means that only the time discretization is accounted for, while the spatial heterogeneities of composition and of the state are neglected. In order to introduce more physical description of the phenomena which occur inside the engine’s combustion chamber, a multi-zone and quasi-dimensional approach to combustion modeling are used. Quasi-dimensional approach to the 0-D combustion modeling enables the inclusion of various geometrical effects in the calculation of the burning rate. Multi-zone approach to the 0-D combustion modeling enables the prediction of in-cylinder composition and temperature heterogeneity. The DFMZCM accounts for the in-cylinder turbulence, zone and wall heat transfer, spray process and mixing-controlled combustion process, the process of flame propagation through the premixed mixture, harmful exhaust gas emissions formation, and knock in the end gas. The validation and application of newly developed DFMZCM reveal that the model is predictive, and that with this model it is possible to achieve a good fit between the experimentally measured and simulated results.