This paper presents an investigation of a Volvo Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI) engine, where the fuel distribution and the in-cylinder flow field have been mapped by the use of laser techniques in an engine with optical access. Along with the experimental work, CFD-modelling of flow and fuel distribution has been performed.
Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF) visualisation of the fuel distribution in a DI-engine has been performed using an endoscopic detection system. Due to the complex piston crown geometry it was not possible to monitor the critical area around the sparkplug with conventional, through the piston, detection. Therefore, an endoscope inserted in the spark plug hole was used. This approach gave an unrestricted view over the desired area.
In addition, the in-cylinder flow fields have been monitored by Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) through cylinder and piston.
The results from both the LIF and the PIV measurements have been compared with CFD-modelling at Volvo. The validation was made at part load when the engine was operating in stratified mode, i.e. late injection during the compression phase. Qualitative agreement was found between the calculated and measured fuel distribution around the spark plug prior to ignition.
Also the PIV measurements showed a promising agreement with the flow fields obtained by CFD-modelling. In addition, the transportation properties of the fuel distribution that was monitored by LIF could to a great extent be explained by the results from the PIV measurement and the CFD-modelling.
All three techniques showed promising agreements with each other and the measured properties could be used to further increase the accuracy of the CFD-modelling. The close collaboration and comparison between different techniques described in this paper increased the understanding of the processes going on in the combustion chamber.