Modelling and Optimization of a Small Diesel Burner for Mobile Applications

Zahra S. Musavi, Henrik Kusar, Robert Andersson and Klas Engvall
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Zahra S. Musavi: Department of Chemical Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 42, 11428 Stockholm, Sweden
Henrik Kusar: Department of Chemical Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 42, 11428 Stockholm, Sweden
Robert Andersson: Reformtech Heating Technologies AB, Skalholtsgatan 9, 164 40 Kista, Sweden
Klas Engvall: Department of Chemical Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 42, 11428 Stockholm, Sweden

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 11, 1-21

Abstract: While extensive research has been done on improving diesel engines, much less has been done on auxiliary heaters, which have their own design challenges. The study analyzes how to optimize the combustion performance of an auxiliary heater, a 6 kW diesel burner, by investigating key parameters affecting diesel combustion and their properties. A model of a small diesel heater, including a simulation of fuel injection and combustion process, was developed step-wise and verified against experimental results that can be used for scaling up to 25 kW heaters. The model was successfully applied to the burner, predicting the burner performance in comparison with experimental results. Three main variables were identified as important for the design. First, it was concluded that the distance from the ring cone to the nozzle is essential for the fluid dynamics and flame location, and that the ring cone should be moved closer to the nozzle for optimal performance. Second, the design of the swirl co-flow is important, and the swirl number of the inlet air should be kept above 0.6 to stabilize the flame location for the present burner design. Finally, the importance of the nozzle diameter to avoid divergent particle vaporization was pointed out.

Keywords: diesel combustion; CFD modelling; nozzle diameter; NOx emission; swirl number; design optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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