Review of high efficiency and clean reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) combustion in internal combustion engines

Evolution, challenges and path forward for low temperature combustion engines

Parametric study and optimization of a RCCI (reactivity controlled compression ignition) engine fueled with methanol and diesel

Combustion, performance and emission analysis of diesel engine fuelled by higher alcohols (butanol, octanol and heptanol)/diesel blends

RCCI (reactivity controlled compression ignition) engines are found to be capable of achieving higher thermal efficiency and ultra-low NOx and PM emissions. The reactivity controlled combustion is accomplished by creating reactivity stratification in the cylinder with the use of two fuels characterized by distinctly different cetane numbers. The low reactivity (i.e., low cetane number) fuel is firstly premixed with air and then charged into the cylinder through the intake manifold; later, the high reactivity (i.e., high cetane number) fuel is injected into the charged mixture through a direct injector. Subsequently, the reactivity stratification is formed. By strategically adjusting the ratio of two fuels and injection timings, the produced reactivity gradient is able to control the combustion phasing and mitigate the pressure rise rate, as well as the heat release rate. Alternatively, structural factors such as CR (compression ratio) and piston bowl geometries can also affect the combustion characteristics of RCCI. Besides the engine management, the fuels that could be utilized in RCCI engines are also crucial to determine the evaporation, mixing, and combustion processes. To gain a comprehensive knowledge on the state-of-the-art of RCCI combustion, detailed review on the management of RCCI engines has been presented in this paper. This review covers the up-to-date research progress of RCCI including the use of alternative fuels and cetane number improvers, and the effects of fuel ratio, different injection strategies, EGR rate, CR and bowl geometry on engine performance and emissions formation. Moreover, the controllability issues are addressed in this article.

Review on the management of RCCI engines

In the present study, various low temperature combustion strategies were investigated using single cylinder engine experiments. The combustion strategies that were investigated premix the majority of the fuel and do not require exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to achieve ultra-low NOx and soot emissions for low- to mid-load engine operation. These types of advanced compression ignition combustion strategies have been shown to have challenges with combustion phasing control. The focus of the study was to compare engine performance and emissions, combustion sensitivity to intake conditions, and the ability to control any observed sensitivity through the fuel injection strategy. Even though these are steady state engine experiments, this will demonstrate a given combustion strategies controllability on a cycle-to-cycle basis. The combustion strategies that were investigated are fully premixed dual-fuel homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI), dual-fuel reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI),...

Comparison of Low Temperature Combustion Strategies for Advanced Compression Ignition Engines with a Focus on Controllability

Effect of Piston Bowl Geometry on Dual Fuel Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) in a Light-Duty Engine Operated with Gasoline/Diesel and Methanol/Diesel

Effect of Cetane Improvers on Gasoline, Ethanol, and Methanol Reactivity and the Implications for RCCI Combustion

Natural Gas for High Load Dual-Fuel Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition in Heavy-Duty Engines

Use of Low-Pressure Direct-Injection for Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) Light-Duty Engine Operation

N. Ryan Walker

Papers

Comparison of Low Temperature Combustion Strategies for Advanced Compression Ignition Engines with a Focus on Controllability

Effect of Piston Bowl Geometry on Dual Fuel Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) in a Light-Duty Engine Operated with Gasoline/Diesel and Methanol/Diesel

Effect of Cetane Improvers on Gasoline, Ethanol, and Methanol Reactivity and the Implications for RCCI Combustion

Natural Gas for High Load Dual-Fuel Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition in Heavy-Duty Engines

Use of Low-Pressure Direct-Injection for Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI) Light-Duty Engine Operation