Reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) is an engine combustion strategy that utilizes in-cylinder fuel blending to produce low NOx and particulate matter (PM) emissions while maintaining high thermal efficiency. The current study investigates RCCI and conventional diesel combustion (CDC) operation in a light-duty multicylinder engine (MCE) using a transient capable engine test cell. The main focus of the work uses engine experiments to investigate methods which can improve low load RCCI operation. The first set of experiments investigated RCCI operation during cold start conditions. The next set of tests investigated combustion mode switching between RCCI and CDC. During the cold start tests, RCCI performance and emissions were measured over a range of engine coolant temperatures (ECTs) from 48 °C to 85 °C. A combination of open- and closed-loop controls enabled RCCI to operate at a 1500 rpm, 1 bar BMEP operating point over this range of coolant temperatures. At a similar operating condition, i.e., 1500 rpm, 2 bar BMEP, the engine was instantaneously switched between CDC and RCCI combustion using the same open- and closed-loop controls as the cold start testing. During the mode switch tests, emissions and performance were measured with high-speed sampling equipment. The tests revealed that it was possible to operate RCCI down to 48 °C with simple open- and closed-loop controls with emissions and efficiency similar to the warm steady-state values. Next, the mode switching tests were successful in switching combustion modes with minimal deviations in emissions and performance in either mode at steady state.
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September 2016
Research-Article
Investigation of Cold Starting and Combustion Mode Switching as Methods to Improve Low Load RCCI Operation
Reed Hanson,
Reed Hanson
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Wisconsin-Madison,
Madison, WI 53706
University of Wisconsin-Madison,
Madison, WI 53706
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Rolf Reitz
Rolf Reitz
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Wisconsin-Madison,
Madison, WI 53706
University of Wisconsin-Madison,
Madison, WI 53706
Search for other works by this author on:
Reed Hanson
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Wisconsin-Madison,
Madison, WI 53706
University of Wisconsin-Madison,
Madison, WI 53706
Rolf Reitz
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Wisconsin-Madison,
Madison, WI 53706
University of Wisconsin-Madison,
Madison, WI 53706
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the IC Engine Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING FOR GAS TURBINES AND POWER. Manuscript received January 26, 2016; final manuscript received January 27, 2016; published online March 22, 2016. Editor: David Wisler.
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Sep 2016, 138(9): 092802 (8 pages)
Published Online: March 22, 2016
Article history
Received:
January 26, 2016
Revised:
January 27, 2016
Citation
Hanson, R., and Reitz, R. (March 22, 2016). "Investigation of Cold Starting and Combustion Mode Switching as Methods to Improve Low Load RCCI Operation." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. September 2016; 138(9): 092802. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4032711
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