Optical investigation of the fuel injector influence in a PFI spark ignition engine for two-wheel vehicles

This paper describes the results obtained in a port fuel injection spark-ignition (PFI SI) engine by optical diagnostics during the fuel injection and the combustion process. A research optical engine was equipped with the fuel injection system, the head and the exhaust device of a commercial 250 cc engine for scooters and small motorcycles. Two injectors were tested: standard 3-hole injector that equipped the real reference engine and a 12-hole injector. The intake manifold was modified to allow the visualization of the fuel injection using an endoscopic system coupled with CCD camera. Size and number of the fuel droplets were evaluated through an image processing procedure. The cycle resolved visualization and chemiluminescence allowed to follow the combustion process from the spark ignition to the exhaust phase. All the optical data were correlated with engine parameters and exhaust emissions. The effect of the fuel injector type on deposits formed by fuel accumulation and dripping on the intake valves steams and seats was investigated. In particular, the evolution of diffusion-controlled flames due to the fuel deposits burning was analyzed. These flames were principally located near the intake valves, and they persisted well after the normal combustion event. The consequences were the formation and emission of soot and unburned hydrocarbons. The multi-hole injector helped reducing wall wetting and deposit formation so that the emission characteristic can be improved. The use of 12-hole injector allowed a more homogeneous distribution for a lower time of fuel droplets in the intake manifold than the 3-hole injector. This study also investigated the detailed physical/chemical phenomena to figure out reasons for the improvement using optical measurements.