Cycle Simulation of Coal Particle Fueled Reciprocating Internal-Combustion Engines

A cycle simulation has been developed and used to investigate the combustion process and performance trends of coal particle fueled, direct-injected diesel engines. Particle reaction rates were calculated as a function of crank angle and depended on instantaneous conditions of both the cylinder gas and particles. Assumptions were made that cylinder gas was uniformly mixed and the particles were solid spheres of pure carbon.

The results of the study suggest that the particles will not self-ignite in the cylinder, but will burn successfully with use of a pilot ignition. Thermal efficiency was found to be sensitive to the selected initial particle size and the engine operating speed.