Correlations for the ignition delay and combustion energy release intervals in a homogeneous charge, spark-ignited engine are developed. After incorporation within a simplified engine cycle simulation, predicted values of these two combustion parameters are compared to experimental engine data. The correlations are based on four fundamental quantities--the turbulent integral scale, the turbulent micro-scale, the turbulent intensity, and the laminar flame speed. The major assumptions include: (1) the turbulent integral scale is proportional to the instantaneous chamber height prior to flame initiation; (2) angular momentum is conserved in the individual turbulent eddies ahead of the flame front (i.e., a ''rapid distortion'' turbulence model); and (3) the turbulent intensity scales with the mean piston speed. Two empirical constants scale the correlations to a given engine. Predicted values for the ignition delay and burn intervals show good agreement with experimental results for wide variations in engine operating and design conditions (e.g., engine speed and load, spark timing, EGR, air-fuel ratio, and compression ratio). In addition, the shapes of the predicted mass fraction burned curves agree well with published data.

The Prediction of Ignition Delay and Combustion Intervals for a Homogeneous Charge, Spark Ignition Engine

A model of the four-stroke S.I. engine cycle has been developed which predicts fuel consumption, NOx and HC emissions as a function of engine design and operating conditions. The model is primarily thermodynamic in nature containing no formal spatial dependence. The major new features of the model are: first, a treatment of heat transfer which confines heat losses to a boundary layer region surrounding a central adiabatic core; second, an integral boundary-layer analysis of in-cylinder burnup of quenched hydrocarbons; and third, a calculation of exhaust port HC oxidation which considers the temperature history of each element of gas leaving the cylinder. The main adjustable parameters of the model relate to the rate of heat transfer and the ratio of the two-plate quench to the single-wall thickness. An extensive comparison of model predictions with experimental CFR engine data is presented. The results show excellent agreement between predicted and experimental fuel consumption and NOx emissions....

R. H. Sherman

Papers

The Influence of Induction and Exhaust Processes on Emissions and Fuel Consumption in the Spark Ignited Engine