Characterisation of Diesel Engine Transient Pumping-loss and Control Methodology for Transient Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC)

This study measures, during various transients of speed and load, in-cylinder-, intake-/exhaust- (manifold) pressures and engine torque. The tests were conducted on a typical high power-density, passenger car powertrain (common-rail diesel engine, of in-line 4-cylinder configuration equipped with a Variable Geometry Turbocharger). The objective was to quantify the deterioration (relative to a steady-steady condition) in transient Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC) that may occur during lagged-boost closed-loop control and thus propose an engine control strategy that minimises the transient SFC deterioration. The results, from transient characterisation and the analysis method applied in this study, indicate that transient SFC can deteriorate up to 30% (function of load transient) and is primarily caused by excessive engine pumping-loss. The results are used to create an empirical model to estimate SFC online and a control methodology is proposed that restricts turbocharger-vanes closure as a function of SFC deviation from the steady-state calibration, thus reducing pumping-loss during transients.