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At least 271 records · Page 15

Numerical and Experimental Investigations on the Ignition Behavior of OME

On the path towards climate-neutral future mobility, the usage of synthetic fuels derived from renewable power sources, so-called e-fuels, will be necessary. Oxygenated e-fuels, which contain oxygen in their chemical structure, not only have the potential to realize a climate-neutral powertrain, but also to burn more cleanly in terms of soot formation. Polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (PODE or OMEs) are a frequently discussed representative of such combustibles. However, to operate compression ignition engines with these fuels achieving maximum efficiency and minimum emissions, the physical-chemical behavior of OMEs needs to be understood and quantified. Especially the detailed characterization of physical and chemical properties of the spray is of utmost importance for the optimization of the injection and the mixture formation process. The presented work aimed to develop a comprehensive CFD model to specify the differences between OMEs and dodecane, which served as a reference diesel-like fuel, with regards to spray atomization, mixing and auto-ignition for single- and multi-injection patterns. The simulation results were validated against experimental data from a high-temperature and high-pressure combustion vessel. The sprays’ liquid and vapor phase penetration were measured with Mie-scattering and schlieren-imaging as well as diffuse back illumination and Rayleigh-scattering for both fuels. To characterize the ignition process and the flame propagation, measurements of the OH* chemiluminescence of the flame were carried out. Significant differences in the ignition behavior between OMEs and dodecane could be identified in both experiments and CFD simulations. Liquid penetration as well as flame lift-off length are shown to be consistently longer for OMEs. Zones of high reaction activity differ substantially for the two fuels: Along the spray center axis for OMEs and at the shear boundary layers of fuel and ambient air for dodecane. Additionally, the transient behavior of high temperature reactions for OME is predicted to be much faster.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Fatty acid derived alkyl ether fuels for compression ignition

A fuel for an internal combustion engine includes a fatty alkyl ether having a formula corresponding to formula (II): wherein x is 1-8, and y is 0 to 3; and the alkyl is an alkyl group having a number of carbon atoms that is less than the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain on the opposite side of the oxygen atom. The fatty alky ether can be used as a neat fuel or blend with biodiesel, diesel, ethanol or other fuels. The fatty alkyl ethers are improved in cetane number and cold flow properties over a biodiesel with fatty acid methyl acid methyl ester compounds. This is particularly valuable for compression ignition engines. A method of combustion in several types of engines is also disclosed.

Monroe, Eric↗

Comparing Cetane Number Measurement Methods

Cetane number is one of the most important fuel performance metrics for mixing controlled compression-ignition “diesel” engines, quantifying a fuel’s propensity for autoignition when injected into end-of-compression-type temperature and pressure conditions. The historical default and referee method on a Cooperative Fuel Research (CFR) engine configured with indirect fuel injection and variable compression ratio is cetane number (CN) rating. A subject fuel is evaluated against primary reference fuel blends, with heptamethylnonane defining a low-reactivity endpoint of CN = 15 and hexadecane defining a high-reactivity endpoint of CN = 100. While the CN scale covers the range from zero (0) to 100, typical testing is in the range of 30 to 65 CN. Alternatively, several constant-volume combustion chamber (CVCC)-based cetane rating devices have been developed to rate fuels with an equivalent derived cetane number (DCN) or indicated cetane number (ICN). These devices measure ignition delay for fuel injected into a fixed volume of high-temperature and high-pressure air to simulate end-of-compression-type conditions. In this study, a range of novel fuel compounds are evaluated across three CVCC methods: the Ignition Quality Tester (IQT), Fuel Ignition Tester (FIT), and Advanced Fuel Ignition Delay Analyzer (AFIDA). Resulting DCNs and ICNs are compared for fuels within the normal diesel fuel range of reactivity, as well as very high (~100) and very low DCNs/ICNs (~5). Distinct differences between results from various devices are discussed. This is important to consider because some new, high-efficiency advanced compression-ignition (CI) engine combustion strategies operate with more kinetically controlled distributed combustion as opposed to mixing controlled diffusion flames. These advanced combustion strategies may benefit from new fuel chemistries, but current rating methods of CN, DCN, and ICN may not fully describe their performance. In addition, recent evidence suggests ignition delay in modern on-road diesel engines with high-pressure common rail fuel injection systems may no longer directly correlate to traditional CN fuel ratings. Simulated end-of-compression conditions are compared for CN, DCN, and ICN and discussed in the context of modern diesel engines to provide additional insight. Results highlight the potential need for revised and/or multiple fuel test conditions to measure fuel performance for advanced CI strategies.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Innovative Dual Fuel Aftermarket Emissions Solution

The objective of this project was to develop an advanced emission control system for Class 7 and 8 heavy-duty dual-fuel vehicles that eliminate or mitigates the negative effects of currently used diesel particulate filters (DPF) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) emissions-treatment systems. The project combined multiple technologies that worked together to increase engine efficiency and reduce most emissions from the combustion process.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Coupling of the Electricity and Transportation Sectors - Part II: Risk Assessment

This comprehensive report explores the intricate interplay through “sector coupling” between the Transportation Sector, Energy Sector, and the critical infrastructure challenges faced by the United States. Aligned with the ambitious federal goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the report analyzes the present vulnerabilities in the fossil fuel supply chain, highlighting instances where the dependence on this industry has been susceptible to local and global disruptions. With a focus on risk assessment, this report establishes a framework to compare the fossil fuel-based transportation sector with the burgeoning electrified sector, considering the evolving technologies in electric vehicles (EVs) and the nascent charging infrastructure. This study delves into the historical reliability of fossil fuel-based transportation and identifies opportunities for strengthening sector coupling between transportation and the electric sector. Assessments of the gasoline-diesel supply chain provide insights into both opportunities and threats, offering a roadmap for creating a more reliable and resilient electrified transportation system. We modeled sectoral coupling scenarios for the current internal combustion engine (ICE)-based and future EV-dominant landscapes, leveraging qualitative sector attributes to identify relative strengths and weaknesses in Part 1 of the report. In this report (Part 2) we continue to understand the role of the electricity sector on transportation and develop a semi-quantitative methodology is employed to evaluate and compare the risks associated with the fossil fueled and electric transportation sector during emergency scenarios, drawing from real-world events like hurricanes and geopolitical disruptions. Different operational scenarios for the fossil fuel and electrified sectors have been developed to understand the risks associated with them. This report concludes with recommendations for the architectural designs of electric charging infrastructure, underlining the need for informed decisions in the transition towards a sustainable and resilient transportation future.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

High-Efficiency Mixing Controlled Compression Ignition Combustion of Propane DME Blends

The program is a multi-institutional effort led by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Engine Research Center, partnered with WM International and the University of Central Florida, aiming to revolutionize combustion technology for medium-duty commercial vehicles. The project’s primary objective is to develop a high-efficiency mixing controlled compression ignition (MCCI) combustion strategy utilizing propane and propane/DME blends. This development is crucial because current propane-fueled spark-ignited (SI) engines operate at substantially lower efficiencies (BTE of 31.5%) than comparable modern diesel engines (37.1%).

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Microwave-assisted pyrolysis of liquid hydrocarbons using iron-based alumina catalysts obtained by solution combustion synthesis: The effect of synthesis parameters

The microwave-absorbing and catalytic properties of iron-based alumina (FeAl x O y ) materials have enabled their use as catalysts for the microwave-assisted generation of hydrogen and carbon via pyrolysis of hydrocarbons. Solution combustion synthesis (SCS) is a promising method to fabricate these materials, but the pyrolysis performance still needs to be improved. The present work investigated how altering the SCS parameters affects the pyrolysis of diesel fuel, gasoline, and crude oil. Two fuels (citric acid and glycine), four Fe:Al molar ratios, and two heating modes (hotplate and furnace) were tested. Fe/γ-Al 2 O 3 and Fe/β-SiC catalysts were prepared via incipient wetness impregnation for comparison. Among the three fossil fuels tested, diesel fuel yielded the highest amounts of H 2 and least amounts of CO x . The choice of fuel for the SCS process and the Fe/Al ratio strongly affected pyrolysis performance as they influence properties important for both catalysis and microwave absorption. The use of glycine resulted in catalysts that exhibited high H 2 yield and low CO 2 generation, which is explained by the revealed structural differences. The increase in the Fe:Al molar ratio accelerated microwave heating by adding more magnetic loss but also increased the amount of CO x . When the optimal SCS parameters were used, FeAl x O y catalysts outperformed Fe/γ-Al 2 O 3 and Fe/β-SiC. The high H 2 generation efficiency of the SCS catalysts is explained by their enhanced microwave-absorption properties. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed the formation of large-diameter CNTs via the tip-growth mechanism. The regeneration of SCS catalysts was demonstrated via the Boudouard reaction.

Carbon nanotubes↗

3-D Modeling off the CFR Engine for the Investigation of Knock on Natural Gas

Engine knock and misfire are barriers to pathways leading to high-efficiency Natural Gas (NG) engines. The general tendency to knock is highly dependent on engine operating conditions and the fuel reactivity. The problem is further complicated by low emissions limits and the wide range of chemical reactivity in pipeline quality NG (65< MN<95). In order to realize diesel-like efficiencies, spark-ignited NG engines must be designed to operate at high BMEP near knock limits over a wide range of fuel reactivity. This requires a deep understanding regarding combustion-engine interactions important in flame propagation and end-gas autoignition. The present work highlights a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the Cooperative Fuel Research (CFR) engine to investigate knock behavior with NG. The CFR engine model is used to investigate fuel-engine interactions that lead to knock with NG, including effects of fuel reactivity, engine operating parameters, and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). Cylinder wall, piston, valves, and port surface temperatures are estimated with a 1-D Three-Pressure Analysis (TPA) model. Model validation was performed by comparing model predictions with experimental data taken with a CFR engine over varying compression ratio, CA50, EGR fraction and BMEP.

Bestel, Diego↗

Phase diagram to demarcate supercritical, transcritical, and continuous phase regimes for binary fluid equilibrium mixing relevant to combustion applications

Here, a robust methodology to develop phase diagrams of binary fluid mixtures at fixed thermo dynamic conditions (pressure, temperature, and mole fraction) as well as of two initially separated fluids undergoing mixing near critical conditions are presented for fluids and con ditions relevant to rockets, gas turbines, and diesel engine applications. Phase equilibria of mixtures is first examined to provide insight into the continuous-phase mixing behavior (including but not limited to supercritical behavior), and to develop a broadly applicable phase-diagram for binary fluid mixtures at fixed conditions. Next, adiabatic mixing theory and reduced Helmholtz equations of state are used to predict the thermodynamic conditions required to attain continuous-phase binary fluid mixing near critical conditions. Then, a 3D surface diagram (P,T fuel ,T amb ) separating single and two-phase regions is constructed by varying the ambient pressure and the initial temperatures of the two fluids. Polynomial fits of the 3D surfaces for 10 different binary mixtures are tabulated for nitrogen-alkane and methane-oxygen blends relevant to air-breathing and propellant based engines, respectively.

42 ENGINEERING↗

TAILORED BIOBLENDSTOCKS WITH LOW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT TO OPTIMIZE MCCI ENGINES

The overall objective of the project is to develop and demonstrate a microalgae bio-blendstock with greater than 60% greenhouse gas reduction potential relative to petroleum diesel, that can reduce sooting propensity, increase cetane number and improve engine thermal efficiency relative to a baseline diesel engine operating on conventional fuel. Specific objectives include: (1) development of a new framework for both LCA and TEA that explicitly considers temporal variation in productivity and the frequency of crop loss; (2) determination of how fuel compounds that can be produced from the algal biomass can be ‘bio-tailored’ based on the species composition and biological production process, and subsequent processing via HTL to biocrude, and upgrading of the biocrude; (3) execution of a feedback loop (algae production  biocrude refining  combustion optimization  feedback to refining stage), for optimization of fuels for MCCI combustion; (4) optimization of MCCI combustion and emissions performance, accounting first for the biological processes that dictate the chemical composition of biocrude oil, and second for the subsequent chemical processes that comprise mixing controlled compression ignition combustion; (6) simulation of MCCI engine combustion processes to demonstrate the incorporation of relevant fuel chemistry that captures the specific impacts of optimized algal fuels.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Exploring the Effects of Piston Bowl Geometry and Injector Included Angle on Dual-Fuel and Single-Fuel RCCI

Abstract Reactivity control compression ignition (RCCI) is a low-temperature combustion technique that has been proposed to meet the current demand for high thermal efficiency and low engine-out emissions. However, its requirement of two separate fuel systems (i.e., a low-reactivity fuel system and a high-reactivity fuel system) has been one of its major challenges in the last decade. This leads to the single-fuel RCCI concept, where the secondary fuel (reformates of diesel) is generated from the primary fuel (diesel) through catalytic partial oxidation reformation. Following the in-depth analysis of the reformate fuel (reformates of diesel) and its benefit as the low-reactivity fuel with diesel, the effects of the start of injection (SOI) timing of diesel and the energy-based blend ratio were also studied in detail. In this study, the effects of piston profile and the injector included angles were experimentally examined using both conventional fuel pairs (gasoline—diesel and natural gas—diesel) and reformate RCCI. A validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was also used for a better understanding of the experimental trends. Comparing a reentrant bowl piston with a shallow bowl piston at a constant compression ratio and SOI, the latter showed better thermal efficiency, regardless of the fuel combination, due to its 10% lower surface area for the heat transfer. Comparing the 150-degree included angle and 60-degree included angle on the shallow bowl piston, the latter showed better combustion efficiency, regardless of the fuel combination, due to its earlier combustion phasing (at constant SOI timing). The effect was particularly prominent on reformate RCCI because of its incredibly high diluent concentration, which retards the combustion further for the 150-deg injector. Later, using convergecfd, seven different injector included angles were studied at a constant SOI. With the change in injector included angle, the region of the cylinder targeted by the fuel spray varies significantly, and it was found to have a significant impact on the combustion efficiency and the engine-out emissions. As the injector included angle changed from 60-deg to 150-deg, the combustion efficiency increased by 15% and the CO, NOx, and HC emissions decreased by 96%, 70%, and 86%, respectively.

Engineering↗

Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Air-Handling and DME-Propane Blends on the Performance and Emissions of a 4-Cylinder CI Engine

Dimethyl ether (DME) is considered an excellent alternative to diesel because of its higher cetane number and lower carbon content. Additionally, DME can be blended with abundantly available propane with minimal modifications to the propane infrastructure. This paper focuses on an experimental investigation of the effect of air-handling i.e., boost pressure and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and DME-propane blends on the combustion and emissions performance of a light-duty, four-cylinder, compression ignition (CI) engine. Here, the boost pressure and EGR sweeps were carried out and showed that higher boost pressures resulted in increased brake thermal efficiencies (BTE) at the expense of higher NOx emissions which could be reduced by an increase in EGR. The fuel sweeps were carried out at 0, 15 and 25% propane (neat, 85% and 75% DME) with 0% and 25% EGR. The fuel sweeps indicated that the ignition delay (ID) increased and burn duration (BD) decreased monotonically when the blend increased to 25% propane/75% DME. The results suggest optimum engine performance with neat DME at 105 kPa boost pressure and 25% EGR with propane addition improving the BTE with negligible increase in emissions. Higher contents of Propane, up to 25%, did not affect the variability of combustion, with standard deviations of burn duration and peak cylinder pressures below 1% for all test cases.

air-handling↗

Methanol mixing−controlled compression ignition enabled via homogeneous charge compression ignition of dimethyl ether through catalytic decomposition of methanol

Methanol is a potentially attractive fuel for marine and off−road engines owing to its availability at bunkering and global distribution locations. Although methanol is well−distributed worldwide, its fuel chemistry and ignition properties make it poorly suited as a direct drop−in replacement for diesel fuel in compression−ignition engines. However, industrial processes are regularly used to convert methanol, via catalytic dehydration, to dimethyl ether (DME) over nonprecious metal catalysts. This chemical conversion can occur at relatively low pressures, temperatures, and catalyst space velocities, highlighting a potential opportunity to generate DME via onboard catalytic dehydration of methanol. DME’s fuel kinetic and ignition properties for compression ignition are much more favorable than those of methanol or even diesel fuel, but DME is more challenging than diesel fuel or methanol to pump, store, and deliver through conventional diesel fueling injection hardware. Thus, a potential opportunity exists to use the ignition and kinetic properties of DME, with the transportation and delivery advantages of methanol, in a methanol−fueled mixing−controlled compression−ignition engine. The present work explores performance, combustion behavior, and emissions reduction opportunities for methanol mixing−controlled combustion, enabled by a HCCI of DME that represents a small fraction of the total fuel energy that can be generated onboard via catalytic dehydration of methanol.

Splitter, Derek [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000174044047)↗

Reactivity of net-zero carbon alcohol fuels and their corresponding aldehyde intermediates on PGM-based commercial oxidation catalysts for lean-burn emissions control

Alcohol net-zero carbon fuels will play a significant role in decarbonization of the hard-to-electrify transportation sectors. However, the combustion process in alcohol-fueled engines generate toxic aldehydes. For commercialization of net-zero carbon fuels on engines, compliance with the stringent U.S. EPA regulations is necessary. Here, this contribution focuses on reactivity of alcohols and aldehydes on commercial diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC) to inform selection of future net-zero carbon fuels. Alcohol (and aldehyde) light-off temperatures were measured on aged DOCs under full synthetic engine-exhaust conditions. Methanol was the most reactive, while ethanol completely oxidized at higher temperatures. Alcohols typically formed less reactive aldehyde intermediates. DRIFTS revealed strongly adsorbing surface formates and acetates during methanol and ethanol oxidation, respectively, resulting in inhibition effects. Preliminary alcohol oxidation mechanisms combining flow reactor and DRIFTS observations are presented. Aldehydes inhibited CO oxidation. Minimal N 2 O formation was observed for the alcohols investigated.

Alcohol oxidation↗

Microwave-assisted dehydrogenation of fossil fuels using iron-based alumina nanocomposites

Hydrogen is mainly produced via steam reforming of methane and gasification of coal, with enormous CO 2 emissions in both cases. Microwave-assisted thermocatalytic decomposition (pyrolysis) is of interest as a method for hydrogen production from fossil fuels with no CO 2 emissions. For successful implementation of this technology, it is necessary to develop decomposition catalysts that are also good microwave absorbers and can be produced from inexpensive materials via a robust synthetic route. Recently, iron-based alumina nanocomposites, fabricated by solution combustion synthesis (SCS), have shown promising microwave-absorbing and catalytic properties in the pyrolysis of plastics. The reported project explored the feasibilities of improving such catalysts and using them for the microwave-assisted pyrolysis of liquid fossil fuels, viz., diesel fuel, gasoline, and crude oil. The research focused on how SCS parameters affect the material properties and pyrolysis performance.

02 PETROLEUM↗

Investigating realistic anode off-gas combustion in SOFC/ICE hybrid systems: mini review and experimental evaluation

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have been deployed in hybrid decentralized energy systems, in which they are directly coupled to internal combustion engines (ICEs). Prior research indicated that the anode tailgas exiting the SOFC stack should be additionally exploited due to its high energy value, with typical ICE operation favoring hybridization due to matching thermodynamic conditions during operation. Consequently, extensive research has been performed, in which engines are positioned downstream the SOFC subsystem, operating in several modes of combustion, with the most prevalent being homogeneous compression ignition (HCCI) and spark ignition (SI). Experiments were performed in a 3-cylinder ICE operating in the latter modus operandi, where the anode tailgas was assimilated by mixing syngas (H 2 : 33.9%, CO: 15.6%, CO 2 : 50.5%) with three different water vapor flowrates in the engine’s intake. While increased vapor content significantly undermined engine performance, brake thermal efficiency (BTE) surpassed 34% in the best case scenario, which outperformed the majority of engines operating under similar operating conditions, as determined from the conducted literature review. Nevertheless, the best performing application was identified operating under HCCI, in which diesel reformates assimilating SOFC anode tailgas, fueled a heavy duty ICE (17:1), and gross indicated thermal efficiency ([Formula: see text]) of 48.8% was achieved, with the same engine exhibiting identical performance when operating in reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI). Overall, emissions in terms of NO x and CO were minimal, especially in SI engines, while unburned hydrocarbons (UHC) were non-existent due to the absence of hydrocarbons in the assessed reformates.

Engineering↗

Effect of NO on DME-Methanol HCCI Experimental Observations

Methanol is an attractive fuel for the maritime sector due to its wide availability. Its direct use as a fuel, however, is accompanied by challenges such as high latent heat of vaporization and low cetane number. A potential solution to overcome the ignition properties of methanol could be through on-board generation of dimethyl ether (DME) via catalytic dehydration of methanol. The resulting mixture from dehydration can be mixed in with the intake air to generate a homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) preburn for subsequent direct injection (DI) and successful ignition methanol at diesel–like timescales. However, if the preburn species are treated separately from the complete methanol MCCI approach the preburn heat release rate (HRR) phasing and behavior do not replicate the preburn behavior of the complete approach. Thus, the presence of the main methanol mixing controlled compression ignition (MCCI) combustion event influences the DME/methanol preburn kinetics. Specifically, it was found that trapped residual temperature alone was insufficient alone to be responsible for the observed differences, and that trace species concentrations of NO in the trapped residual gas also influenced DME/methanol kinetics increasing low temperature heat release (LTHR) magnitude and advancing high temperature heat release (HTHR) phasing. NO is not present in HCCI combustion of neat DME or DME/methanol blends nor is elevated gas temperature in the trapped residuals; both of which result in failure to accurately predict the HCCI combustion of DME/methanol blends when coupled with subsequent DI methanol MCCI. This work experimentally explores the effect of trapped residual temperature and NO on DME and DME/methanol HCCI combustion.

Jatana, Gurneesh [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000288903225)↗

An energy model of droplet impingement on an inclined wall under isothermal and non-isothermal environments

The observation of spray-wall interaction is of great importance to understand the dynamics that occur during fuel impingement onto the chamber wall or piston surfaces in internal combustion engines. It is found that the maximum spreading length of an impinged droplet can provide a quantitative estimation of heat transfer and energy transformation for spray-wall interaction. Furthermore, it influences the air-fuel mixing and hydrocarbon and particle emissions at combusting conditions. In this paper, an analytical model of different droplet-wall impingement conditions is developed in terms of βm (dimensionless maximum spreading length, the ratio of maximum spreading length to initial droplet diameter) to understand the detailed impinging dynamic process. These conditions are grouped as: a single diesel droplet impinging on the wall with different inclined angles (α); cold wall - heated droplet and heated wall - cold droplet impingement when inclined angle of the wall is 0°, respectively. The analytical model is built up based on the energy conservation that considers kinetic energy, gravitation energy, and surface energy before impingement, as well as viscous dissipation, gravitation energy, adhesion energy, deformation energy, and heat energy after impingement. The experimental work of diesel droplet impinging on an inclined wall is performed at a certain range of the Weber number (We of 33 to 420) with various inclined angles (α of 0° to 45°), while for inclined angle is 0°, droplet and wall temperature are varied from 25°C to 150°C to study the effects of the inclined angle and temperature on the temporal evolution of the post-impingement characteristics (i.e. droplet spreading length, dynamic contact angle). The analytical model is validated and evaluated at the aforementioned experimental operating points. The validated model can be employed to predict maximum spreading length of the droplet impinged on the wall. It is further utilized to determine the transition from capillary regime to kinetic regime, then to viscous regime at different inclined angle of the wall.

42 ENGINEERING↗