Article
Thermodynamics
Vicente Macian, Javier Monsalve-Serrano, David Villalta, Alvaro Fogue-Robles
Summary: The dual-mode dual-fuel combustion strategy can achieve ultra-low NOx and soot emissions, while synthetic fuels can address the issue of total CO2 emissions. The OMEx-gasoline combination in DMDF engines can reach engine-out NOx emissions below 0.2 g/kWh with less than 4% impact on fuel consumption, meeting the EU's 2030 CO2 reduction targets.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Akhilendra Pratap Singh, Nikhil Sharma, Vikram Kumar, Avinash Kumar Agarwal
Summary: Global warming and strict emission regulations are major concerns for the road transport sector, driving researchers to explore advanced combustion technologies such as Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition combustion. This experimental study compared baseline compression ignition combustion with RCCI combustion, showing that RCCI combustion delivered higher thermal efficiency, stability, and lower emissions. Optimization of the premixed ratio of methanol is crucial for achieving the best results in RCCI combustion at different engine loads.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Christian Honecker, Bastian Lehrheuer, Stefan Pischinger, Karl Alexander Heufer
Summary: To achieve future targets for reducing emissions, alternative fuels and combustion modes show potential. The Molecularly-Controlled high swirl Combustion system (MCC) presents a dual direct injection of low- and high-reactivity fuels with lean air-fuel ratios, high compression ratio, and compression ignition. Ethanol and 1-octanol/diesel fuel were used to investigate combustion characteristics, efficiency, and emissions in a single-cylinder research engine. MCC achieves a reduction in soot emissions and improved efficiency compared to conventional compression ignition combustion.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Carrie Hall, Mateos Kassa
Summary: Dual fuel engines using gaseous fuels have been around for over a century, but recent advances in fuel injection technologies and electronic control systems have revolutionized combustion control methods for automotive applications. Early efforts with natural gas in compression ignition engines relied on map-based methods, but the introduction of multi-pulse injection and electronic fuel injection capabilities has enabled new combustion strategies and necessitated more complex control methods. Novel approaches like reactivity controlled compression ignition and high pressure natural gas injection have improved efficiency and cleanliness, but also introduced more complex combustion phenomena.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Huiquan Duan, Ming Jia, Yaopeng Li, Tianyou Wang
Summary: The study investigated RCCI with reverse reactivity stratification (RRCCI) with gasoline and PODEn as fuels at low and medium loads in a light-duty compression-ignition engine. Results showed that R-RCCI has moderate combustion rate and efficiency, with the highest indicated thermal efficiency (ITE) and significantly lower NOx and soot emissions compared to PPC. R-RCCI also strikes a better balance between premixed combustion and combustion temperature, leading to very low soot emissions at low and medium loads.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Akhilendra Pratap Singh, Vikram Kumar, Avinash Kumar Agarwal
Summary: Stricter emission norms, scarce availability of conventional fuel resources, and moderate engine efficiency are major concerns for both spark ignition (SI) and compression ignition (CI) engines. The use of advanced low-temperature combustion technologies, particularly reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) mode combustion, can address these issues effectively. RCCI mode combustion offers lower exhaust emissions and higher brake thermal efficiency compared to CI mode combustion, making it a promising solution for improved engine performance and reduced emissions.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mattia Pelosin, Ricardo Novella, Gabriela Bracho, Cassio Fernandes, Tommaso Lucchini, Luca Marmorini, Qiyan Zhou
Summary: In this study, a low temperature combustion system called Temperature Controlled Reactivity Compression Ignition (TCRCI) is presented, and a numerical optimization of the hardware and the operating parameters is proposed. The system aims to simplify the Reaction Controlled Compression Ignition engine (RCCI) by replacing direct injection of high reactivity fuel with heated injection of low reactivity fuel. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model is used to simulate the combustion, and the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm is integrated to optimize the system. The optimized configuration improves net efficiency and reduces CO emissions.
Article
Thermodynamics
P. A. Harari, N. R. Banapurmath, V. S. Yaliwal, Manzoore Elahi M. Soudagar, T. M. Yunus Khan, M. A. Mujtaba, Mohammad Reza Safaei, Naveed Akram, Marjan Goodarzi, Ashraf Elfasakhany, Ahmed EL-Seesy
Summary: The study showed that adding 10% pentanol in the fuel is beneficial for increasing the brake thermal efficiency of diesel and pentanol fuel combination in RCCI mode, while reducing nitrogen oxide and smoke emissions.
CASE STUDIES IN THERMAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Antonio Garcia, Javier Monsalve-Serrano, David Villalta, Alvaro Fogue-Robles
Summary: This study aims to experimentally measure the particle emissions of the dual-mode dual-fuel combustion concept and analyze the particle size distribution, in order to design a potential filtering system. The results show that the dual-mode dual-fuel combustion can achieve ultra-low NOx and soot emissions simultaneously, but the characteristics of the particles may vary with different combustion modes.
Article
Thermodynamics
Junheng Liu, Haoran Ma, Wenwen Liang, Jun Yang, Ping Sun, Xidong Wang, Yongxu Wang, Pan Wang
Summary: The research found that as the MSR increases, the ignition delay of the dual-fuel engine increases, as does the COV, with different combustion characteristics under different loads.
Article
Thermodynamics
Jisoo Shin, Sungwook Park
Summary: Due to environmental regulations, the use of ammonia as a carbon-free fuel for internal combustion engines is gaining attention. This study investigated the combustion characteristics of an ammonia-diesel dual-fuel engine through numerical simulation. The results showed that advanced injection timing and high ammonia energy fraction can significantly improve efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jiaying Pan, Zhen Hu, Zhenhua Pan, Gequn Shu, Haiqiao Wei, Tao Li, Changwen Liu
Summary: Ethanol as an oxygenate additive in gasoline can inhibit knocking tendency, delay auto-ignition timing, and reduce pressure oscillations in combustion. Turbulent mixing and energy density play roles in alleviating knocking intensity and promoting detonation development, but fuel reactivity remains the key factor in strong knocking formation and detonation development.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Sunyoup Lee, Changgi Kim, Seokhwan Lee, Jeongwoo Lee, Junghwan Kim
Summary: This study investigates the combustion and emission characteristics of compressed natural gas (CNG)/diesel reactivity-controlled compression ignition under high load conditions. The experimental results reveal the impact of CNG substitution and intake boosting on combustion efficiency and emissions.
FUEL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Mujdat Firat, Sehmus Altun, Mutlu Okcu, Yasin Varol
Summary: The combustion characteristics of reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) were investigated using iso-propanol, petroleum diesel, biodiesel, and their blends as fuels. The results showed that increasing the premixed ratio of low-reactivity fuel (iso-propanol) prolonged the ignition delay period, reduced the combustion duration and rate of pressure rise, leading to reduced NO emissions and smoke opacity. Iso-propanol and biodiesel blends demonstrated the best performance in RCCI mode.
PROPULSION AND POWER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Abhinandhan Narayanan, Deivanayagam Hariharan, Kendyl Ryan Partridge, Austin Leo Pearson, Kalyan Kumar Srinivasan, Sundar Rajan Krishnan
Summary: Dual fuel combustion is an efficient method that combines high-reactivity fuel with low reactivity fuel-air mixture, resulting in high efficiencies and low emissions. The study investigated the impact of increasing low reactivity fuel substitution on combustion performance, emissions, and efficiency for two different fuels (natural gas and propane) on a single-cylinder engine. The results showed that increasing low reactivity fuel substitution improved load, cylinder pressure, and apparent heat release rate, but also increased nitrogen oxide emissions.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Tommy R. Powell, James P. Szybist, Flavio Dal Forno Chuahy, Scott J. Curran, John Mengwasser, Allen Aradi, Roger Cracknell
Summary: The octane index (OI) is a new autoignition metric developed to better describe fuel knock resistance over a broader range of engine conditions. Research found that under ACI operation, autoignition behavior is more closely correlated to fuel composition rather than RON and MON tests conditions.
Review
Thermodynamics
James P. Szybist, Stephen Busch, Robert L. McCormick, Josh A. Pihl, Derek A. Splitter, Matthew A. Ratcliff, Christopher P. Kolodziej, John M. E. Storey, Melanie Moses-DeBusk, David Vuilleumier, Magnus Sjoberg, C. Scott Sluder, Toby Rockstroh, Paul Miles
Summary: The Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines (Co-Optima) initiative aims to maximize energy efficiency and renewable fuel utilization by developing fuels and engines together. The Central Fuel Property Hypothesis (CFPH) is used to assess the potential benefits of candidate fuels regardless of their chemical composition. A thermodynamic-based assessment quantifies how six individual fuel properties can affect efficiency in spark-ignition (SI) engines, leading to a unified merit function for assessing the fuel property-based efficiency potential of fuels with conventional and unconventional compositions.
PROGRESS IN ENERGY AND COMBUSTION SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Chloe Lerin, K. Dean Edwards, Scott J. Curran, Eric J. Nafziger, Melanie Moses-DeBusk, Brian C. Kaul, Sandeep Singh, Marc Allain, Jeff Girbach
Summary: Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted an experimental investigation on a modified Detroit DD15 engine to study the efficiency and emissions benefits of dual-fuel advanced combustion approaches. The study included adding a natural gas port fuel injection system and exploring dual-fuel strategies with both low temperature and non-LTC approaches. Key findings included improved brake thermal efficiency and reduced NOx and soot emissions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Aduramo Lasode, Emma Rinn, William F. Northrop
Summary: Waste treatment plays a crucial role in the future global energy portfolio, but implementing energy recovery technology faces challenges in technical, economic, and policy aspects. This study focuses on the tradeoff between input waste energy content and output electrical power efficiency, as well as the selection of conversion technology based on waste characteristics and energy content. Case studies suggest that gas and steam turbines are recommended for large-scale systems, while fuel cells are suitable for small-scale systems based on their high efficiency.
JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Flavio D. F. Chuahy, Melanie Moses-DeBusk, Scott J. Curran, John M. E. Storey, Scott W. Wagnon
Summary: The DOE Co-Optima initiative focuses on investigating the interaction between fuel properties and advanced combustion engines to improve fuel economy. Gasoline Compression Ignition (GCI) is a promising advanced compression ignition strategy that utilizes the auto-ignition resistance of gasoline-like fuels. Results from the study show that the aromatic content of the fuel has a greater impact on particulate matter emissions than the fuel's distillation characteristics.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Noah R. H. Bock, David B. Kittelson, William F. Northrop
Summary: Characterizing the kinetics of soot oxidation is crucial for understanding the performance of gasoline particulate filters (GPFs). A novel in-situ measurement method was developed to evaluate soot oxidative reactivity. The results showed that the catalytic washcoat and lubrication oil additives had significant effects on the oxidation rate.
JOURNAL OF AEROSOL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Daniel E. Thomas, Krishna P. Shrestha, Fabian Mauss, William F. Northrop
Summary: This study investigates the combustion of ammonia-hydrogen fuel mixtures and provides an improved kinetic mechanism for modeling ammonia combustion. The measured extinction strain rate and flame NO concentration are compared to various models, and it is found that the previously published models do not accurately predict the experimental results. By updating the reaction rate parameters, the improved model shows better agreement with the experimental data, especially in predicting NO concentration.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMBUSTION INSTITUTE
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Shawn A. Reggeti, Seamus P. Kane, William F. Northrop
Summary: Anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is a carbon-free fuel that can be produced from renewable energy and stored at high energy density. It can be used as a combustion promoter in internal combustion engines (ICEs) mixed with a small fraction of hydrogen (H2). This study explores a new method of producing hydrogen from fuel-rich ammonia-air mixtures in an engine cylinder, eliminating the need for expensive catalyst materials. Experimental results show promising hydrogen concentrations and energy conversion efficiency.
APPLICATIONS IN ENERGY AND COMBUSTION SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yensil Park, Melanie Moses-DeBusk, Scott S. Sluder, Shean P. Huff
Summary: The Co-Optima initiative by the U.S. Department of Energy aims to diversify fuel sources, improve efficiency, and reduce emissions in diesel engines. This study investigates the impact of using a multimode strategy with premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI) and conventional diesel combustion (CDC) at different load conditions, as well as the influence of an oxygenated biofuel blend on emissions. The results show that PCCI effectively reduces NOx, total HC, and PM/PN emissions, particularly larger particles. The addition of a 25% hexyl hexanoate (HHN) biofuel blend further decreases PM/PN emissions at high loads, while the fuel type does not significantly affect total HC emissions.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Melanie Moses-DeBusk, John M. E. Storey, Samuel A. Lewis Sr, R. Maggie Connatser, Shannon M. Mahurin, Shean Huff, Cyril V. Thompson, Yensil Park
Summary: Research on controlling cold-start NOx emissions is more extensive, while research on closely linked HC and PM emissions is relatively limited. This study provides a detailed characterization of HC and PM emissions during cold-start to facilitate the development of emissions control technologies. By comparing vehicles with different engine architectures, it was found that cumulative emissions were similar, but HC composition and particle size varied during the cold-start.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Chaitanya Wadkar, Aviral Kumar, Hyewon Lee, Benjamin Rollins, Nicolas Grosjean, Satbir Singh, William F. Northrop
Summary: This article investigates the effect of thermal boundary conditions on catalyst performance in packed-bed reactors with a large reactor-diameter-to-particle-diameter ratio. Using computational fluid dynamics simulations, the authors find that the assumptions made by the 1-D model no longer hold under certain conditions, and a more complex 3-D model is required.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sreshtha Sinha Majumdar, Melanie Moses-DeBusk, Dhruba Jyoti Deka, Michelle K. Kidder, Calvin R. Thomas, Josh A. Pihl
Summary: This study reports that the addition of Mg to catalysts can improve their hydrothermal stability and methane oxidation activity in lean-burn, natural gas engines. The results of characterization experiments show that Mg has significant impacts on metal-support interaction, reducibility of PdOx sites, and the stabilization of active Pd (1 0 0) facets.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
(2024)
Article
Thermodynamics
Dereck K. Dasrath, Rohan Biwalkar, Satbir Singh, William F. Northrop
Summary: Through numerical and experimental comparisons of bowl piston, creviced piston, and flat piston configurations, it was found that the bowl piston outperforms traditional piston geometries in terms of temperature, more thermally uniform gas core, combustion efficiency, ignition strength, and heat release rate.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMBUSTION INSTITUTE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ying Lin, Xuesong Li, Martyn V. Twigg, William F. Northrop
Summary: This study introduces a novel non-premixed opposed-flow reactive volatilization reactor for vaporizing and partially oxidizing low volatility liquid hydrocarbons at short contact time, with potential for high conversion and selectivity. Experimental and modeling results reveal the importance of local mixture determined by mesh axial position and local stoichiometry at the mesh surface over global one.
REACTION CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
