Inter-cycle variability of in-cylinder pressure parameters in an ethanol fumigated common rail diesel engine

Timothy Bodisco and Richard J. Brown

Energy, 2013, vol. 52, issue C, 55-65

Abstract: The effects of ethanol fumigation on the inter-cycle variability of key in-cylinder pressure parameters in a modern common rail diesel engine have been investigated. Specifically, maximum rate of pressure rise, peak pressure, peak pressure timing and ignition delay were investigated. A new methodology for investigating the start of combustion was also proposed and demonstrated—which is particularly useful with noisy in-cylinder pressure data as it can have a significant effect on the calculation of an accurate net rate of heat release indicator diagram. Inter-cycle variability has been traditionally investigated using the coefficient of variation. However, deeper insight into engine operation is given by presenting the results as kernel density estimates; hence, allowing investigation of otherwise unnoticed phenomena, including: multi-modal and skewed behaviour. This study has found that operation of a common rail diesel engine with high ethanol substitutions (>20% at full load, >30% at three quarter load) results in a significant reduction in ignition delay. Further, this study also concluded that if the engine is operated with absolute air to fuel ratios (mole basis) less than 15, the inter-cycle variability is substantially increased compared to normal operation.

Keywords: Inter-cycle variability; Ethanol fumigation; In-cylinder pressure; Diesel engine (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:52:y:2013:i:c:p:55-65

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2012.12.032

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