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Optical Investigation of the Reduction of Unburned Hydrocarbons Using Close-Coupled Post Injections at LTC Conditions in a Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine

Journal Article
2013-01-0910
ISSN: 1946-3936, e-ISSN: 1946-3944
Published April 08, 2013 by SAE International in United States
Optical Investigation of the Reduction of Unburned Hydrocarbons Using Close-Coupled Post Injections at LTC Conditions in a Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine
Sector:
Citation: O'Connor, J. and Musculus, M., "Optical Investigation of the Reduction of Unburned Hydrocarbons Using Close-Coupled Post Injections at LTC Conditions in a Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine," SAE Int. J. Engines 6(1):379-399, 2013, https://doi.org/10.4271/2013-01-0910.
Language: English

Abstract:

Partially premixed low-temperature combustion (LTC) using exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) has the potential to reduce engine-out NOx and soot emissions, but increased unburned hydrocarbon (UHC) emissions need to be addressed. In this study, we investigate close-coupled post injections for reducing UHC emissions. By injecting small amounts of fuel soon after the end of the main injection, fuel-lean mixtures near the injector that suffer incomplete combustion can be enriched with post-injection fuel and burned to completion. The goal of this work is to understand the in-cylinder mechanisms affecting the post-injection efficacy and to quantify its sensitivity to operational parameters including post-injection duration, injection dwell, load, and ignition delay time of the post-injection mixture. Three optical diagnostics - planar laser induced fluorescence of OH radicals, planar laser induced fluorescence of formaldehyde, and high-speed imaging of natural combustion luminescence - complement measurements of engine-out UHC with parametric variations of main- and post-injection timing and duration. Across all conditions tested, each at 1200 RPM, the optimal post-injection command duration for UHC reduction was approximately 400 microseconds (2.9°CA). Also, conditions with shorter (3.4°CA) post-injection ignition delays were over twice as effective on a percentage basis at reducing engine-out UHC as those with longer (5.5°CA) post-injection ignition delays. Optical data at the post-injection "sweet-spot," where UHC emissions are minimized, indicate that the post injection promotes transition to second-stage ignition in the near-injector region, most likely by enriching the overly fuel-lean mixtures in the wake of the main injection.