Progress and recent trends in homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines

Experimentally obtained energy release results, a semi-empirical ignition model, and an empirical energy release equation developed during this research were used to evaluate the combustion of compression-ignited homogeneous mixtures of fuel, air, and exhaust products in a CFR engine. A systematic study was carried out to evaluate the response of compression-ignited homogeneous charge (CIHC) combustion to changes in operating parameters with emphasis being placed on the phenomena involved rather than the detailed chemical kinetics. This systematic study revealed that the response of the combustion process to changes in operating parameters can be explained in terms of known chemical kinetics, and that through the proper use of temperature and species concentrations the oxidation kinetics of hydrocarbon fuels can be sufficiently controlled to allow an engine to be operated in a compression-ignited homogeneous charge combustion mode.

Compression-Ignited Homogeneous Charge Combustion

Homogeneous-Charge Compression-Ignition (HCCI) Engines

A premixed charge compression ignition engine, and a control system, is provided which effectively initiates combustion by compression ignition and maintains stable combustion while achieving extremely low nitrous oxide emissions, good overall efficiency and acceptable combustion noise and cylinder pressures. The present engine and control system effectively controls the combustion history, that is, the time at which combustion occurs, the rate of combustion, the duration of combustion and/or the completeness of combustion, by controlling the operation of certain control variables providing temperature control, pressure control, control of the mixture's autoignition properties and equivalence ratio control. The combustion control system provides active feedback control of the combustion event and includes a sensor, e.g. pressure sensor, for detecting an engine operating condition indicative of the combustion history, e.g. the start of combustion, and generating an associated engine operating condition signal. A processor receives the signal and generates control signals based on the engine operating condition signal for controlling various engine components to control the temperature, pressure, equivalence ratio and/or autoignition properties so as to variably control the combustion history of future combustion events to achieve stable, low emission combustion in each cylinder and combustion balancing between the cylinders.

Premixed charge compression ignition engine with optimal combustion control

Demonstrating the Multi Fuel Capability of a Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition Engine with Variable Compression Ratio

https://www.engr.colostate.edu/~marchese/combustion10/2.pdf

A new lean combustion process for internal combustion engines has been developed. This newly devised combustion system, designated as "Active Thermo-Atmosphere Combustion" (ATAC), differs from conventional gasoline and diesel engine combustion processes. ATAC can be applied most easily to two-stroke cycle gasoline engines. Stable combustion can be achieved with lean mixtures at part-throttle operation. With ATAC the fuel consumption and exhaust emissions of two-stroke cycle spark-ignition engines are remarkably improved, and noise and vibration are reduced.

Active Thermo-Atmosphere Combustion (ATAC) - A New Combustion Process for Internal Combustion Engines

A new scavenging method for two-stroke cycle engines - Multi-Layer Stratified Scavenging (MULS) - has been developed. The MULS method is achieved by separating the mixture generated by the carburetor into a rich mixture and a lean mixture between the inlet manifold and the scavenging ports, and by finely controlling the scavenging flows. With the MULS method the thermal efficiency and HC emissions of two-stroke cycle gasoline engines are considerably improved without sacrificing the brake specific power output and mechanical simplicity.

Shigeru Onishi

Papers

Active Thermo-Atmosphere Combustion (ATAC) - A New Combustion Process for Internal Combustion Engines

Multi-Layer Stratified Scavenging (MULS) - A New Scavenging Method for Two-Stroke Engine