Effect of the Shape of the Combustion Chamber on Dual Fuel Combustion

The effect of the shape of the bowl on the combustion process and emissions of a Natural Gas - Diesel dual fuel engine is analyzed. The simulation of the dual fuel combustion is performed with a modified version of the KIVA3V code where diesel is treated as the main fuel and a further reacting specie is introduced as methane (CH₄). The auto-ignition of the pilot is simulated with a modified version of the Shell model and the first stage of the combustion, related to the pilot burning process, is simulated with the Characteristic Time Combustion model. When the temperature of the mixture reaches a certain threshold, a kernel of combustion is initialized. Until the kernel reaches a nominal radius the combustion of CH₄ is prevented. The combustion of CH₄ is simulated with a turbulent characteristic time too. Numerical models were chosen as a compromise between accuracy and computational time. The model has been validated with comparison to experimental data including in-cylinder pressure traces and tailpipe emissions. The numerical analysis has been performed with respect to a single cylinder diesel engine converted to dual fuel combustion. The results of the investigation showed that the conversion rate of CH₄ can be increased by optimizing the bowl profile.