A Model for the Physical Part of the Ignition Delay in a Diesel Engine

A theoretical model for the physical part of the ignition delay period in a direct injection diesel engine is derived, based on single droplet calculations. It is used in a parametric study to examine the influence of air pressure and temperature, initial fuel temperature, and mean droplet size and velocity on the physical processes that precede the chemical reactions.

The model is also used to correlate the results of an experimental investigation of the effects of using different pressures and different injection nozzles on the magnitude of ignition delay.