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Performance of a Methanol-Fueled Direct-Injection Compression-Ignition Heavy-Duty Engine under Low-Temperature Combustion Conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Mark Treacy

    (Division of Fluid Mechanics, Department of Energy Sciences, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden)

  • Leilei Xu

    (Division of Fluid Mechanics, Department of Energy Sciences, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden)

  • Hesameddin Fatehi

    (Division of Fluid Mechanics, Department of Energy Sciences, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden)

  • Ossi Kaario

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Aalto University, Otakaari 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland)

  • Xue-Song Bai

    (Division of Fluid Mechanics, Department of Energy Sciences, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden)

Abstract

Low-temperature combustion (LTC) concepts, such as homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) and partially premixed combustion (PPC), aim to reduce in-cylinder temperatures in internal combustion engines, thereby lowering emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO x ) and soot. These LTC concepts are particularly attractive for decarbonizing conventional diesel engines using renewable fuels such as methanol. This paper uses numerical simulations and a finite-rate chemistry model to investigate the combustion and emission processes in LTC engines operating with pure methanol. The aim is to gain a deeper understanding of the physical and chemical processes in the engine and to identify optimal engine operation in terms of efficiency and emissions. The simulations replicated the experimentally observed trends for CO, unburned hydrocarbons (UHCs), and NO x emissions, the required intake temperature to achieve consistent combustion phasing at different injection timings, and the distinctively different combustion heat release processes at various injection timings. It was found that the HCCI mode of engine operation required a higher intake temperature than PPC operation due to methanol’s low ignition temperature in fuel-richer mixtures. In the HCCI mode, the engine exhibited ultra-low NO x emissions but higher emissions of UHC and CO, along with lower combustion efficiency compared to the PPC mode. This was attributed to poor combustion efficiency in the near-wall regions and engine crevices. Low emissions and high combustion efficiency are achievable in PPC modes with a start of injection around a crank angle of 30° before the top dead center. The fundamental mechanism behind the engine performance is analyzed.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Treacy & Leilei Xu & Hesameddin Fatehi & Ossi Kaario & Xue-Song Bai, 2024. "Performance of a Methanol-Fueled Direct-Injection Compression-Ignition Heavy-Duty Engine under Low-Temperature Combustion Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:17:p:4307-:d:1466027
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xu, Leilei & Bai, Xue-Song & Li, Yaopeng & Treacy, Mark & Li, Changle & Tunestål, Per & Tunér, Martin & Lu, Xingcai, 2020. "Effect of piston bowl geometry and compression ratio on in-cylinder combustion and engine performance in a gasoline direct-injection compression ignition engine under different injection conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    2. Pachiannan, Tamilselvan & Zhong, Wenjun & Rajkumar, Sundararajan & He, Zhixia & Leng, Xianying & Wang, Qian, 2019. "A literature review of fuel effects on performance and emission characteristics of low-temperature combustion strategies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C), pages 1-1.
    3. Xu, Leilei & Bai, Xue-Song & Jia, Ming & Qian, Yong & Qiao, Xinqi & Lu, Xingcai, 2018. "Experimental and modeling study of liquid fuel injection and combustion in diesel engines with a common rail injection system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 287-304.
    4. Xu, Leilei & Treacy, Mark & Zhang, Yan & Aziz, Amir & Tuner, Martin & Bai, Xue-Song, 2022. "Comparison of efficiency and emission characteristics in a direct-injection compression ignition engine fuelled with iso-octane and methanol under low temperature combustion conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
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