Improved model for the analysis of the Heat Release Rate (HRR) in Compression Ignition (CI) engines

The accuracy of the Heat Release Rate (HRR) model of Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs) is highly depended on the ratio of specific heats, gamma (gamma). Previous gamma models were largely expressed as functions of temperature only. The effects of the excess air ratio (lambda) and the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) rate on gamma were neglected in most of the existing gamma functions. Furthermore, previous HRR models were developed for stoichiometric or near - stoichiometric air - fuel mixtures in an engine condition. However, Compression Ignition (CI) engines operate over a wide range of lambda. No work has been done to model the HRR of CI engines under non - stoichiometric conditions. Also, no work has been done to investigate the accuracy of existing gamma functions specifically with respect to the modelling of the HRR of CI engines for non - stoichiometric conditions. The aim of this work was to develop an improved HRR model for the analysis of the HRR of CI engines for non - stoichiometric conditions (lambda > 1). In this work, a modified gamma(T, lambda), was used to model the HRR of a 96 kW, multiple fuel injection, Euro V, Direct Injection (DI) engine. The modified HRR model (Leeds HRR model) predicted the fuel consumption of the engine with an average error of 1.41% confirming that the accuracy of the HRR model of CI engines is improved by using gamma(T, lambda). The typical average error in the prediction of the other models was 16%. The much improved HRR model leads to more accurate prediction of fuel consumption, which enables the development of and enhances better fuel consumption management strategies for engines and fuels. It was also ascertained in this work that EGR has insignificant effect on the HRR of CI engines at low and medium loads. (C) 2020 Energy Institute. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.