The Mechanism of Surface Ignition in Internal Combustion Engines

A theoretical model for the determination of surface ignition has been established on the basis of thermal and chemical properties of deposits as related to heat transfer rates in an internal combustion engine. It is used in conjunction with fuel ignition temperature and ignition delay, as obtained using an adiabatic compression machine. The model, in conjunction with the experimental data, has the flexibility of determining the effects of various parameters which are prevalent in surface ignition.

The fuels most prone to surface ignition were benzene, diisobutylene, toluene, and isooctane, in that order. The results agree favorably with those obtained by other experimenters using actual engines.