Browse Topic: Combustion and combustion processes

Items (15,796)

Cooperative Control of Two Free-Piston Engine-Generators for Vibration Reduction

2026-01-5088

To be published on 11/16/2026

The free-piston engine-generator (FPEG) is a promising power unit in vehicle-mounted energy conversion systems. However, inertial-force excitation caused by free-piston reciprocating motion remains a major constraint on its practical application. To address this issue, a hierarchical control architecture consisting of a single-engine motion control layer and a two-engine synchronization control layer is proposed for an opposed two-engine FPEG system. The single-engine motion control layer combines iterative learning control with displacement feedback and adaptive compensation with velocity feedback to regulate dead-center positions. The two-engine synchronization control layer introduces a Combustion State Observer (CSO) to estimate cycle-to-cycle indicated-work variations caused by stochastic combustion fluctuations and guide differential fuel-injection compensation. A simulation verification framework is established to evaluate the proposed strategy under compound disturbances. Relative to the single-engine case, the cooperative scheme achieves a 99.6% mean-square force reduction while maintaining 43.3% indicated thermal efficiency. The residual RMS inertial force is further reduced by 38.1% compared with the master–slave baseline. These results demonstrate that the CSO-based cooperative synchronization strategy is effective in reducing inertial-force excitation in two-engine FPEG systems.

Zhao, Bowen, Ren, Boyao, Xu, Zhaoping

NV Enhancement of Automotive Powertrain through Hardware Refinement and ECU Parameters Optimization While Preserving Performance and Emissions Compliance

2026-28-0163

11/5/2026

To comply with increasingly stringent emission norms and simultaneously enhance engine efficiency, durability, and power output, continuous improvements in engine performance have become essential for modern automotive engineering. However, these advancements often result in unintended consequences, particularly in the form of elevated noise and vibration (NV) levels, which negatively impact overall vehicle refinement and customer comfort. Managing NV without compromising performance has therefore emerged as a critical challenge in contemporary powertrain development. The study addresses the optimization of NV characteristics while maintaining engine functionality through a hybrid approach. This method combines transfer path of noise and vibration with a detailed evaluation of engine electronic control unit (ECU) parameters. By combining these analytical techniques, critical contributors to NV were identified, enabling the formulation of a targeted countermeasure strategy. Experimental validation was carried out on the engine intake system under controlled conditions to assess the effectiveness of proposed solutions. Results indicate that modifications to the intake system significantly reduce noise levels at the engine intake side, thereby improving acoustic comfort without adversely affecting combustion efficiency or power delivery. Furthermore, systematic optimization of ECU parameters contributed to smoother engine operation and reduced vibrational excitation across multiple operating points. The findings demonstrate that accurately targeting the appropriate engine subsystem and employing an integrated analytical-experimental framework can achieve balanced performance and acoustic refinement. This work highlights the effectiveness of integrated analytical and experimental methods for achieving balanced performance and acoustic refinement in advanced engines.

Singh, Karamdeep, Uniyal, Ravinder, Yadav, Manish, Mishra, Durga Prasad

Real-Time Exhaust Manifold Temperature Estimation Using Machine Learning–Based Virtual Sensors for Combustion Engines

2026-28-0193

11/5/2026

Exhaust manifold temperature (EMT) plays a critical role in combustion control, engine performance, and thermal safeguarding of key hardware components in combustion engines. EMT is a primary power limiting constraint, as exceeding allowable temperature limits can lead to severe thermal damage to the exhaust manifold and turbine housing. Accurate estimation of EMT is therefore essential to ensure engine operation within allowable operating limits. EMT is typically measured using physical temperature sensors, which are prone to soot fouling, durability degradation, and calibration drift over time, while also increasing system cost and complexity. These limitations motivate the development of reliable virtual sensing approaches capable of replacing or augmenting physical EMT measurements. This work presents a machine learning–based virtual sensor for real-time estimation of exhaust manifold temperature, with a strong focus on production feasibility within resource constrained engine electronic control units (ECUs). Model development, training, and initial evaluation are conducted using data generated from a high-fidelity one-dimensional engine simulation environment that captures a wide range of steady state and transient operating conditions. The trained models are subsequently validated using engine measurement data to assess robustness and generalization under real world operating scenarios. Multiple lightweight supervised regression architectures are investigated to identify the best model that provides an effective balance between estimation accuracy and embedded implementation efficiency. Hardware implementation confirmed production feasibility, with the proposed EMT virtual sensor achieving deterministic real-time execution while requiring only 20% additional CPU utilization and 3.93ms worst-case execution time. The proposed framework establishes a feasible and scalable pathway for deploying machine learning–based EMT virtual sensors in engine controllers, enabling reduced reliance on physical exhaust manifold temperature sensors and supporting the transition toward intelligent, software defined combustion engine control systems.

Bayyavarapu, Chandu, Kamaraj, Keerthi Vallarasu, Mathur, Nilkumar, Gupta, Chirag, Prasad, Lakshmi, Arntz, David, Bergland, Nathaniel

Development and Validation of a Partially Scale-Resolving Three-Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Model for Homogeneous Reactivity-Controlled Compression Ignition with Renewable Fuels

03-19-06-0028

11/5/2026

Reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) is a promising combustion strategy for improving engine efficiency while reducing emissions. Within the framework of the dtec.bw MORE project, this study investigates an innovative homogeneous RCCI (hRCCI) combustion concept using port fuel injection of ethanol combined with early direct injection of octanol in a modified single-cylinder gasoline research engine. Although three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been increasingly applied to low-temperature combustion (LTC) concepts, the use of partially scale-resolving approaches remains limited because of their higher computational cost and the resulting challenges for multi-cycle simulations in comparison to conventional Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations. To address this challenge, a CFD methodology in AVL FIRE M is developed that combines partially averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS) turbulence modeling with port and direct fuel injection, fuel-specific spray and evaporation behavior, wall-film formation and evaporation, and chemical kinetics. A novel reduced-species definition strategy is introduced to decrease the computational effort associated with chemistry and enable the application of the PANS approach over multiple engine cycles. After preconditioning cycles, nine consecutive cycles are simulated and analyzed to characterize combustion variability. The simulations reproduce the experimentally observed cylinder pressure and heat release rate trends with good agreement. The predicted cycle-to-cycle variations remain within the experimental minimum–maximum range and are tightly distributed around the experimentally observed mean cylinder pressure evolution. The predicted combustion duration agrees well with the experiments up to approximately 0–85% mass fraction burned. Beyond 85% burn, significant deviations occur, which are attributed to the increasing contribution of diffusion-controlled combustion and effects that are not fully captured by the present modeling framework. The results demonstrate that the proposed PANS-based methodology, together with the developed computational reduction strategy, enables computationally tractable multi-cycle 3D simulations while retaining the capability to resolve important flow–mixture–chemistry interactions. This study provides new insights into the combustion characteristics of dual-fuel hRCCI operation, while also demonstrating the influence of fuel injection parameters and identifying current modeling limitations. The proposed framework therefore provides a basis for further model development and combustion system optimization toward higher efficiency and reduced emissions.

Grundl, Larissa Michaela, Sundaram, Pravin Kumar, Tinschmann, Georg, Trapp, Christian

Numerical Diagnosis and Evidence-Chain Analysis of the Non-Sustained Ignition Process in a Hydrogen/Air Turbulent Diffusion Flame under an LES–PaSR Framework

2026-99-2324

10/30/2026

This paper addresses non-sustained ignition in numerical simulations of hydrogen/air turbulent diffusion flames. A reproducible LES-PaSR case study was constructed on the OpenFOAM platform, and a box-shaped ignition core was applied using setFields. The work is positioned as a numerical diagnostic and benchmark workflow, not as an experimentally validated prediction of a stable flame. The evidence chain, consisting of three diagnostic indicators - the domain-wide maximum temperature, centerline statistics along the ignition axis, and slices at critical moments - tracks the complete ignition-peak decay process. Calculations show that the domain-wide maximum temperature (Tmax) reaches a peak of 2852.5 K at t = 3.13×10^–4 s and then rapidly drops to 956.4 K at t = 0.0015 s. The duration of Tmax ≥ 2000 K is 0.818 ms, while Tmax ≥ 1000 K lasts for 1.388 ms. Comparison between the centerline and cross-sections further indicates that the high-temperature OH reaction zone is mainly limited to the ignition core and its downstream neighboring region. Under the combined effects of convective transport and turbulent mixing, this region rapidly cools and dissipates, failing to form a stable self-sustained exothermic structure. Finally, three physically plausible explanatory pathways and corresponding sensitivity-case designs are proposed, providing a practical basis for subsequent parameter scanning, mechanism replacement, and future comparison with experimental or literature-reported data. A supplementary sensitivity case with the ignition-kernel temperature increased from 2200 K to 2400 K exhibits a higher peak temperature and delayed threshold crossings, yet the reacting structure remains non-sustained within the simulated time window. Tmax ≥ 2000KTmax ≥ 1000K

Liu, Jiaqi, He, Jiandong, Yuan, Youquan, Duan, Yu

Permutation Test as a Novel Robust Statistical Approach for Gauging a Change in the Rate of Stochastic Preignition

03-19-06-0027

10/23/2026

Multiple statistical methods were evaluated to determine the most suitable approach to gauge whether a gasoline deposit control additive (DCA) causes a statistically significant increase in rate of stochastic preignition (SPI) in a direct injection, turbocharged, spark ignition (SI) engine. SPI is an abnormal combustion phenomenon observed at highly boosted conditions in turbocharged SI engines. The high in-cylinder pressures observed during an SPI event have the potential to cause physical damage to the engine. The SPI rate is a function of engine operating conditions as well as fuel and oil properties. DCAs are commonly used in commercial gasoline at very low concentrations (20–200 ppm m/m) to prevent the buildup of carbon deposits in the combustion chambers and fuel systems. Since the effect of DCAs on SPI rate can be subtle and the data inherently stochastic, a controlled engine test methodology with robust statistical analysis is required to conclusively determine whether a gasoline detergent increases or mitigates the rate of SPI occurrence. Therefore, the TOP TIER™ Standardized Dynamometer Test Method to Evaluate Additized Detergent Gasoline for Stochastic Pre-Ignition (hereafter referred to as the TOP TIER™ Additive SPI Test Protocol) described herein is designed to gauge whether a gasoline additive causes a statistically significant change in the SPI rate at a controlled operating condition as compared to unadditized gasoline. This study focuses on the statistical analysis portion of the test protocol. Multiple statistical approaches were evaluated using data from the TOP TIER™ Additive SPI Test Protocol to determine the most appropriate and robust approach for detecting a statistically significant difference in SPI rates. The analysis included the two-sample (unpaired) t-test, linear mixed-effects models (LMMs), the Mann–Whitney U test, and the permutation test. The results indicated a combination of permutation paired with Wilkinson’s method as the most suitable approach.

Gopujkar, Siddharth, Davis, Richard, Zhang, Kui, Reilly, Veronica, Studzinski, William

Coking Inhibition Characteristics of Dimethyl Disulfide during Supercritical Pyrolysis of n-Decane

2026-99-2993

10/19/2026

Inhibition of coking from pyrolysis of hydrocarbon fuel is critical for ensuring the safe operation of high-speed aircraft. In this work, the inhibitory effects of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) on coke during the supercritical pyrolysis of n-decane were investigated. Experiments using an electrically heated micro-reactor tube were conducted to study the influences of presulfidation and cofeeding methods with varying DMDS concentrations. The pyrolysis products were analyzed via gas chromatography, while pressure drop and coke mass were measured. The composition and morphology of coke were further characterized by energy-dispersive spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the influence of DMDS on coke formation depends on its application method and concentration. At a DMDS concentration of 500 ppm, the coke inhibition rate reached 85.5% with presulfidation and 81.7% with cofeeding. However, with increasing DMDS concentration beyond 500 ppm, the amount of coke formation increases. Coke formation during supercritical pyrolysis of n-decane primarily involves metal-catalyzed coking and bulk-phase coking processes. The H2S and HS radicals generated from pyrolysis of DMDS react with transition metals such as Fe and Ni, thereby inhibiting the formation of metal-catalyzed filamentous coke. The presulfidation process forms a sulfide layer earlier than the cofeeding process, more effectively suppressing the generation of filamentous coke. However, excessively high DMDS concentrations can lead to its decomposition into sulfur-containing radicals such as thiol radicals (CH3S·), which incorporate into the coke matrix, enhance its reactivity, and promote coke formation. This work offers valuable insights for the application of DMDS as a coke inhibitor in endothermic hydrocarbon fuels.

Liao, Yan, Yao, Yixuan, Yang, Can, Huang, Qin, Chen, Yu

Detecting Fuel Adulteration in Otto-Cycle Vehicles Using On-Board Diagnostics Data and Machine Learning–Based Anomaly Detection

04-19-03-0015

10/15/2026

Fuel adulteration increases operating costs, reduces vehicle efficiency, and contributes to air pollution. Fuel-quality verification typically requires laboratory infrastructure or dedicated sensors that are not available to most end users. In our previous work, we demonstrated that a software-only approach based on standard on-board diagnostics (OBD) signals and supervised machine learning can detect water adulteration in hydrated ethanol under real-world driving conditions with high accuracy. However, supervised classifiers remain challenging because fuel-trim dynamics vary across vehicles due to powertrain calibration, component aging, and operating environments, which can limit model generalization. This work addresses this limitation by introducing a detection framework that learns a vehicle-specific baseline of normal operation using gradient boosting regression (GBR) and flags anomalous events through residual-based cumulative sum (CUSUM) monitoring. The baseline model is trained using compliant-fuel data, and the CUSUM decision threshold is calibrated from temporally ordered normal-operation data using an expanding-window procedure with an initial warm-up segment. Across two vehicles, the proposed framework achieved recall values of 99.77% and 84.38%, with F1 scores of 99.88% and 91.53%, respectively, while maintaining zero false positives under compliant-fuel operation.

Marchezan, André Ricardo, Giesbrecht, Mateus

Development and Validation of Quasi-Dimensional Multi-Zone Combustion Model for Homogeneous Reactivity-Controlled Compression Ignition with Renewable Fuels—Part 2: Complete Model and Validation

03-19-05-0024

10/14/2026

As a part of the project, the homogeneous reactivity-controlled compression ignition (hRCCI) concept is being investigated along with the development of 0D/1D combustion simulation models. The proposed concept employs early direct injection of octanol as the high-reactivity fuel in combination with port fuel injection of ethanol as the low-reactivity fuel. In the previous parts of the publication, testing results and the in-cylinder fuel and temperature distribution predictions were studied. Low-temperature combustion (LTC) concepts such as hRCCI are strongly governed by autoignition chemistry of the fuels and oxidizer, making the explicit consideration of chemical kinetics essential for predictive simulations. In addition, the hRCCI combustion process exhibits high sensitivity to a wide range of control parameters, including intake temperature, intake pressure, excess air ratio, premixed fuel ratio, and direct injection parameters, posing further challenges to model robustness. To address these challenges, a predictive and robust quasi-dimensional multi-zone combustion model for LTC engines is developed. The model couples a 0D/1D flow framework implemented in GT-POWER with detailed chemical kinetics solved using a Python–Cantera interface for user-defined combustion modeling. The combustion framework incorporates dedicated sub-models to account for fuel evaporation, interzonal heat transfer, wall heat transfer, spatial distribution of directly injected octanol, and temperature stratification across the zones. The model’s predictive capability is validated against experimental data from a single-cylinder research engine under variations in intake pressure, intake temperature, premixed ratio, and the start of direct octanol injection. The simulation results show strong agreement with experimental measurements, demonstrating the robustness and predictive accuracy of the developed modeling approach. The proposed simulation framework provides a valuable tool for the future development and optimization of low-temperature combustion engine concepts aimed at improving efficiency and reducing emissions.

Sundaram, Pravin Kumar, Grundl, Larissa Michaela, Trapp, Christian Thorsten, Tinschmann, Georg

Development and Validation of Quasi-Dimensional Multi-Zone Combustion Model for Homogeneous Reactivity-Controlled Compression Ignition with Renewable Fuels—Part 1: Fuel and Temperature Stratification Prediction

03-19-05-0023

10/9/2026

As part of the dtec.bw MORE project, serial hybrid powertrains featuring alternative combustion regimes, specifically homogeneous reactivity-controlled compression ignition (hRCCI), are under investigation to maximize thermal efficiency while minimizing NOx and soot emissions. The proposed hRCCI concept utilizes dual-fuel stratification, employing early direct injection (DI) of octanol (high-reactivity fuel) alongside port fuel injection (PFI) of ethanol (low-reactivity fuel). While 0D/1D engine modeling is essential for developing predictive powertrain simulation frameworks, conventional models often lack the robustness required to capture the complexities of low-temperature combustion (LTC). This study addresses this limitation by developing a multi-zone “onion skin” quasi-dimensional model. Since for LTC, ignition and heat release rates are highly sensitive to thermal and chemical stratification, capturing these gradients is critical. 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are capable of capturing thermal and chemical stratifications to a high degree of accuracy, whereas 0D simulation models, in general, do not consider them. The primary contribution of this work is the translation of high-fidelity 3D CFD data into a computationally efficient quasi-dimensional environment. A simplified 3D CFD architecture was utilized to map the effects of various operating parameters on mixture distribution. Using these results, a regression learning model was trained to predict octanol and temperature stratification within the combustion chamber. Validation against simulation data demonstrates that this coupled machine learning and multi-zone approach provides a robust, predictive tool for evaluating advanced LTC concepts within larger system-level simulations.

Sundaram, Pravin Kumar, Grundl, Larissa Michaela, Trapp, Christian Thorsten, Tinschmann, Georg

Effects of Methane Addition to Diesel in Dual-Fuel Mode Combustion Utilizing the Advanced Fuel Ignition Delay Analyzer

04-19-03-0013

10/8/2026

With the rising pressure of a global energy transition to cleaner energy systems, the transportation sector faces a challenge in maintaining its current structure and adapting to all the required changes. Dual-fuel technology emerges as a promising alternative to keep the viability of the sector while utilizing environmentally friendly fuels alongside traditional hydrocarbons, without deep structural changes in the current framework. This work investigates the impact of the use of methane gas coupled with diesel fuel, specifically focusing on its influence on the ignition delay time (IDT) in a dual-fuel combustion setting. The investigation employed the Advanced Fuel Ignition Delay Analyzer (AFIDA), a constant-volume combustion chamber capable of automatically measuring multiple samples in a single run. Methane gas was introduced into the chamber at molar concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3% and at initial pressures of 5 and 10 bar, with temperature values ranging from 653 to 723 K. With the same amount of diesel being injected for all experiments, it was possible to replace up to 40% of the total energy release with methane during the combustion process. Compared to pure diesel, the IDT values of the methane–diesel mixtures were only affected in low-temperature settings. At higher temperatures, the IDT values remained largely consistent with those of pure diesel, suggesting that higher substitution ratios of methane are feasible without compromising the ignition delay. This work also uncovered that the percentage of energy replaced by methane does not have a direct correlation with IDT or peak pressure values.

Pacheco Virginio, Thiago, Eraqi, Basem, Sakleshpur Nagaraja, Shashank, Sarathy, S. Mani

Effect of High-Energy Ignition and Spark Plug on Combustion and Fuel Economy of a Dedicated Hybrid Engine

03-19-05-0026

10/6/2026

High exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rates in dedicated hybrid engines (DHEs) cause combustion instability and fuel economy degradation. This study investigates a 2.0L turbocharged DHE with a high-tumble combustion system optimized by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. At the brake thermal efficiency (BTE) operating point (2750 r/min, brake mean effective pressure [BMEP] 11 bar), engine bench tests evaluated the effects of three ignition energy levels (120 mJ, 150 mJ, 200 mJ) and two spark plug configurations (1.1 mm nickel alloy and 0.7 mm pin-to-pin iridium) on combustion characteristics, fuel economy, the misfire-limited EGR rate (hereinafter the EGR misfire limit), and engine-out emissions. Results show that above 23% EGR, intake condensate weakens ignition and destabilizes combustion. Raising ignition energy to 200 mJ extends the EGR misfire limit from 23% to 28%, shortens ignition delay (CA0-10) and combustion duration (CA10-90) by 4.5°CA and 2.8°CA and reduces BSFC by 3.2 g/kWh. The 0.7-mm iridium plug outperforms the 1.1-mm nickel alloy plug above 27% EGR: CA0-10 and CA10-90 shorten by 2.9°CA and 2.5°CA, the EGR misfire limit extends by 0.5 percentage points, and BSFC improves by 0.9 g/kWh. The combined optimization extends the EGR misfire limit to 28.5% with a cumulative BSFC reduction of 4.5 g/kWh. HC emissions decrease with reduced spark plug gap, while NOx and CO remain insensitive to the ignition strategy. The coupled optimization of high-energy ignition and small-gap spark plug effectively overcomes ignition degradation under high EGR. The reduced breakdown voltage of the small gap and the sufficient energy reserve of high-energy ignition form a synergistic effect, providing quantitative design guidance for ignition systems in next-generation high-efficiency DHEs.

Wang, Peng, Ren, Siming, Cong, Rizhen, Deng, Xiaorong, Liu, Zonghui, Zhu, Yunfeng, Li, Hongzhou, Yan, Pingtao

Exploring the Benefits of Multiple Injections in a Premixed Charge Compression-Ignition Engine Operated with Modified Injector Orientation and Diesel–Gasoline Blends

03-19-05-0025

9/22/2026

The current study examines the combined effects of injection strategy, injector configuration, and fuel blending on the combustion performance and emission behavior of a light-duty compression-ignition (CI) engine operated in premixed charge compression-ignition (PCCI) combustion mode. Experiments were conducted in PCCI combustion mode using a diesel–gasoline blend (D80G20, 80% diesel and 20% gasoline by volume). A modified injector configuration, with a split-injection scheme comprising pilot and main injection events, was implemented to enhance mixture preparation and control combustion characteristics. The baseline configuration utilized PCCI mode with diesel (D100) and an inclined injector orientation. The results indicate that blending gasoline into diesel prolongs ignition delay and facilitates charge premixing, hence improving the stability of the PCCI combustion regime. Using a vertically oriented injector with a symmetric spray pattern significantly improves air–fuel mixing, and split-pulse injection enables more accurate control of combustion phasing. Among the tested strategies, the D80G20 blend, combined with a vertical injector and optimized split injection, achieved the highest brake thermal efficiency at 60% load, improving by 10.1% over the baseline case. In addition, unburned hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions were significantly reduced by 54.1% and 49.4%, respectively. Additionally, the load extension was increased to 77%, which is limited to 60% of the engine-rated load in PCCI with diesel fuel. The current integrated approach provides a viable pathway to implement the PCCI mode to improve engine thermal efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions without significant hardware modifications, thereby supporting the transition to cleaner combustion technologies.

Ranjan, Ashish Pratap, Krishnasamy, Anand

Adaptive Neural Network Fuel Mass Correction for Structural Model Error Compensation in Diesel Engines with Variable Biodiesel Properties

2026-24-0023

9/21/2026

Compression-ignition engines operating with biodiesel blends often exhibit variability in fuel properties, such as density, viscosity, and cetane number, which can lead to systematic deviations in injected fuel mass when using conventional physics-based models. These deviations can reduce combustion efficiency and increase brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC). This study proposes a lightweight neural network–based approach to compensate for structural errors in baseline injection models, using a single-layer perceptron trained on the relative error (delta) between actual and modeled injected mass. By normalizing engine and fuel parameters and introducing a small amount of measurement noise, the network learns to predict a corrective factor that adapts the injected mass to match the desired target under varying fuel conditions. Simulation results demonstrate that the neural correction significantly reduces systematic bias: in test cases with intentionally introduced structural error, the average injection deviation of −1.7% in the baseline model is reduced to approximately 0.002% after correction. Root-mean-square (RMS) error over training and validation datasets remains below 0.16%, indicating robust generalization. The proposed method offers a computationally efficient solution suitable for embedded engine control units, requiring minimal additional complexity while ensuring precise fuel delivery. By eliminating bias caused by fuel property variability, the approach has the potential to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions, and maintain consistent engine performance under a wide range of operating conditions. This framework provides a practical path for integrating adaptive, data-driven correction mechanisms in diesel engines operating with heterogeneous or variable biofuels.

Gutierrez, Marcos, Taco, Diana

Analysis of Full Torque Determination in a Diesel Engine Operating in Dual Fuel mode with Hydrogen and Diesel

2026-24-0014

9/21/2026

A 15kW diesel engine is modified in the laboratory to operate in dual fuel combustion mode. The engine is a three-cylinder, displacement of 1 Liter, originally fueled with diesel in its baseline configuration. The engine is modified by installing three PFI injectors, positioned toward the intake valves within the intake manifold. Hydrogen injection is synchronized with valve opening during the engine cycle using controlled delay units. The standard diesel injection system, managed by the original ECU, initiates combustion of the premixed air/hydrogen charge. The dual fuel operation is tested at 2000 rpm maximum torque. To maintain this condition, both diesel quantity through accelerator input and hydrogen flow via injectors duration are adjusted. Constraints included reducing diesel fuel and avoiding knock caused by excessive hydrogen. The engine operated reliably under all tested conditions. A maximum hydrogen energy substitution HES of 70% is achieved at high load, though higher values increased PPRR. A premixed equivalence ratio of 0.40 is identified as the limit before self-ignition occurred. To prevent this and achieve maximum power, an alternative strategy is introduced. Starting from diesel-only maximum torque, diesel is gradually reduced while hydrogen is increased. Rated torque is successfully achieved with an HES up to 45%. These results demonstrate that dual fuel operation can significantly reduce fossil fuel consumption while maintaining performance. It provided combustion stability and knock limits carefully managed through appropriate control of mixture composition. Further optimization could enhance efficiency and emissions performance in future applications.

Mancaruso, Ezio, Rossetti, Salvatore, Cameretti, Maria Cristina

Electrical Waveform Analysis of Spark Discharge for Monitoring Conditions Inside Prototype Prechambers

2026-24-0013

9/21/2026

Using renewable fuels like hydrogen in internal combustion engines requires new combustion strategies and ignition systems like pre-chamber sparkplugs. This necessitates novel measurement and monitoring techniques to gain insights into the phenomena arising from the use of new fuels and components. For understanding the phenomenon of pre-chamber ignition, it is important to observe how sparks behave inside them. The spark-elongation under certain conditions inside a particular pre-chamber, its location at a given time during discharge, and the flow conditions during spark discharge are all significant factors in gaining insight into this phenomenon. However, such information is difficult to obtain from inside a pre-chamber due to the difficulty of gaining optical access. In such cases, the electrical waveform analysis could prove useful. During this study, the electrical parameters are used to calculate the spark length, providing information about the igniting volume inside a pre-chamber during the spark discharge. This was achieved by modifying the Kim and Anderson equation to meet the specific requirements of the study, which involved correlating it to the optical spark length obtained in a spark wind tunnel test bed under conditions similar to those in an engine. This modified equation was then used to calculate the spark length inside different prototype pre-chambers and sparkplug to compare and contrast the conditions. Information about the flow conditions inside the pre-chamber was also obtained from the spark length, given that the surrounding flow influences spark elongation. This methodology was first validated in the spark wind tunnel test bed before pre-chambers were tested in the engine. Testing different prototype pre-chambers provided valuable insights into the flow conditions, demonstrating the technique's effectiveness in understanding the factors that make a pre-chamber design suitable for a particular fuel and set of conditions, and why it is less effective in other situations. This study proves that electrical waveform analysis is a key tool for monitoring the performance of prototype pre-chambers designed for renewable fuels, such as hydrogen.

Kottakalam, Saraschandran, Nenzel, Markus, Rottenkolber, Gregor

Thermal Management of Pre-Chamber Spark Plugs for the Mitigation of Abnormal Ignition in Hydrogen-Fueled Engines – An Experimental and Numerical Study

2026-24-0007

9/21/2026

The internal combustion engine will continue to contribute to global mobility, particularly when operated with carbon dioxide low-carbon fuels. Pre-chamber ignition systems are increasingly investigated to improve efficiency, emissions, and combustion stability. In combination with hydrogen as a carbon-free fuel, they extend the lean operating limit while ensuring reliable ignition under demanding conditions. A key challenge is the thermal management of pre-chamber spark plugs. While the thermal behaviour of conventional spark plugs is well understood, limited knowledge exists for pre-chamber systems. Chamber geometry, material selection, manufacturing, and installation strongly influence thermal loading, where elevated local temperatures may contribute to knock, pre-ignition, and material degradation. The objective of this study is to establish a system-level understanding of pre-chamber thermal behaviour. Experiments are conducted on a single-cylinder research engine using hydrogen and research octane number 95 (RON 95) as a reference fuel. Dedicated temperature measurements identify thermal hotspots and assess parameter sensitivities. For the investigated configuration (14:1 compression ratio (CR), 1500 revolutions per minute (rpm), 12 bar indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP)), measurements and conjugate heat transfer (CHT) simulations suggest wall temperatures are not the primary contributor to pre-ignition. Reduced pre-ignition is observed with increasing scavenging bore diameter, indicating a strong influence of mixture preparation and residual gas effects. A coupled CHT model is integrated into a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation with moving boundaries. The model includes realistic wall thicknesses, temperature-dependent material properties, and calibrated boundary conditions, enabling cycle-resolved analysis of heat fluxes and temperature fields for pre-chamber optimization.

Nenzel, Markus, Alkezbari, Ahmad Anas, Rottenkolber, Gregor

Neural-Network-Enhanced Air-Standard Thermodynamic Modeling for Spark-Ignition Engines Fueled with Low Heating Value Alternatives

2026-24-0016

9/21/2026

This study presents a computational framework that integrates an air-standard thermodynamic engine model with artificial neural networks to predict the performance of spark-ignition (SI) engines operating with alternative fuels of reduced lower heating value (LHV). A deterministic thermodynamic simulator was developed in Excel, incorporating engine geometric parameters (compression ratio, bore, stroke, displacement), operating speed, and fuel properties, with particular emphasis on LHV as the dominant energetic descriptor. The model computes in-cylinder states, thermal efficiency, indicated mean effective pressure, and power output under idealized air-standard assumptions. To extend predictive capability beyond fixed-parameter analyses, a feedforward neural network was trained using datasets generated from systematic parametric sweeps of engine geometry, speed, and fuel LHV. The neural network captures nonlinear interactions between compression ratio, combustion energy release, and performance indicators, enabling rapid estimation of engine response when substituting conventional gasoline with lower-LHV alternative fuels. Results demonstrate that the hybrid thermodynamic–neural approach accurately predicts trends in efficiency degradation and power reduction associated with decreasing LHV, while identifying compensatory design adjustments, particularly through compression ratio optimization. The methodology provides a low-cost and computationally efficient tool for preliminary evaluation of alternative liquid fuels in SI engines without resorting to complex CFD or experimental campaigns. This work contributes a transparent, reproducible modeling strategy suitable for early-stage engine design studies and fuel screening, supporting sustainable fuel transitions in spark-ignition propulsion systems.

Gutierrez, Marcos, Taco, Diana

Tailoring ICEs Towards Future Global Market Requirements – Multi-Fuel Capability To Ensure Next Decade Market Success

2026-24-0030

9/21/2026

The entire mobility industry currently faces enormous regulatory demands due to the Paris agreement and its corresponding initiatives to eliminate the business sector-related greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) emissions. A major focus is hereby set on wide-spread electrification of all kinds of applications, but from current perspective it is obvious that a quick and complete shift is highly unlikely, especially with view on heavy and challenging industrial and commercial applications. In line with this, it’s apparent that internal combustion engines (ICEs) maintain to play an important role in the overall propulsion system line-up. For compliance with the engaged CO2 reduction policies and efficiency improvement demands, a fast and broad replacement of fossil fuels needs to be realized. Due to the specific properties of carbon-neutral fuels and as well the variety of the range of industrial applications, different types of alternative fuels are considered. These novel fuels can be subdivided into preferred solutions for smaller or on-highway applications vs heavy off-highway and marine applications, or simply according to local or national preferences or policies. As of now, Hydrogen as well as Methanol/Ethanol is highly attractive for on-highway applications as well as construction/agricultural applications, the heavier and larger applications tend to more energy-dense energy carriers like NH3 and partially Methanol/Ethanol. In addition, to support a smooth transition to fully carbon-neutral operation, intermediate dual-fuel layouts are requested, partially requiring a full redundancy between classical Diesel operation and powering with new fuels. This complexity and variety in customer demands provide a major challenge for globally operating OEMs as future engines designs and definitions need to be developed under extreme cost pressure. The paper at hand delivers an interesting approach to design and develop modern ICE platforms for the anticipated multi-fuel case, aiming at superior key performance indicators concerning power output and efficiency, while maximizing the degree of commonality between the individual engine versions and variants. This flexibility and modularity needs to be incorporated in the base engine design, especially in the top end of the assembly, as it implicates different demands in air delivery and as well the transition from a diffusive combustion system to a pre-mixed combustion principle. This affects on one hand the installation of key sub-systems like fuel injection and ignition, but as well also the decision about an appropriate compression ratio and the definition of an adjusted in-cylinder charge motion. The article closes with recommendations for a future multi-fuel engine definition and an assessment concerning the major design changes in contrast to a refined and optimized Diesel engine layout.

Koerfer, Thomas, Dhongde, Avnish, Yadav, Jaykumar

Thermal Effects and Combustion Behavior of Hydrogen and Natural Gas in a Heavy-Duty Gas Engine

2026-24-0003

9/21/2026

To accelerate the adoption of renewable fuels in heavy-duty transportation, a conventional diesel engine was retrofitted to operate on gaseous fuels. This approach supports the transition from diesel to renewable energy carriers while maximizing the reuse of existing engine platforms. However, converting a liquid-fuel engine to gaseous operation does not inherently ensure stable or efficient performance. Gaseous fuels require external ignition, and hydrogen, with its low minimum ignition energy and wide flammability range, places particularly high demands on combustion development. In spark-ignited heavy-duty gas engines, port fuel injection (PFI) is widely used because of its simpler integration and lower fuel-pressure requirements compared with direct injection (DI). However, PFI reduces volumetric efficiency and increases sensitivity to abnormal combustion, including backfire and pre-ignition. DI can mitigate these limitations by enabling fuel delivery after intake valve closure and allowing later injection timings, thereby improving system efficiency and mixture formation control. Experiments were conducted on a 1991 cc single-cylinder research engine representative of heavy-duty applications. Two fuel supply systems were evaluated: low-pressure PFI up to 15 bar and high-pressure DI up to 200 bar. Two novel injector designs were tested with hydrogen and natural gas to assess the effects of fuel type, pressure level, load, and speed. The cylinder head was instrumented with ten thermocouples to evaluate local thermal distribution. In parallel, exhaust emissions, including NOx, hydrogen slip, and unburned hydrocarbons, were analyzed to link injection strategy, mixture formation, combustion behavior, emissions, and thermal loading.

Rößlhuemer, Raphael, Fitz, Patrick, Fellner, Felix, Prager, Maximilian, Jaensch, Malte

A Computational Study of High Efficiency Wankel Rotary Engines using a Passive Pre-Chamber

2026-24-0001

9/21/2026

Wankel rotary engines are renowned as compact machines with high power-to-weight ratios, which make them suitable for use as range extenders for battery electric vehicles or as propulsion systems for unmanned aerial vehicles. However, their overall efficiency and emissions still need significant improvement to meet to the stringent regulations comparable with classical reciprocating 4-stroke engines. With the aim of improving these shortcomings, this work focuses on the application of a passive pre-chamber in order to enhance the combustion phase and the overall efficiency and emissions of such engines. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted for the commercial AIE 225CS rotary engine, configured with port fuel injection and fully-premixed gasoline combustion. The engine was extensively tested in a previous project while different CFD models were validated against experimental data in previous studies by the same authors. In particular, the present work examines the engine performance with two pre-chamber configurations with different volumes. The volume and nozzle specifications were determined to have geometrical characteristics similar to those of the theory of Gussak, with volumes directly comparable with that of the two spark park plug recesses of the original engine, leading to significantly large nozzle diameters in the pre-chambers. In addition, the effect of spark advance was investigated to capture the development of the flame and jets and the resulting effects on the indicated pressure cycle. Consistent with previous findings, heat losses were found to be a critical aspect for the different configurations of engine. Nevertheless, the application of pre-chamber shows some potential to improve efficiency by accelerating combustion phase, leading to a relative increase of 7.4% on the indicated efficiency. This suggests an important new path in the development of Wankel engines as a viable solution to efficient utilisation of decarbonised and innovative future fuels in compact systems.

Vorraro, Giovanni, Im, Hong G., Turner, James

Performance and Emission Control Enhancement Using Green-Synthesized Additives in Diesel Engine

03-19-04-0020

8/24/2026

Cashew nut shell oil–based biodiesel (BD) is an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative energy source that can help decrease the depletion of fossil fuels and reduce environmental pollution. In this research, the BD extracted from cashew nut shell was enriched with green-synthesized nanoparticles with various blends and evaluated for its performance. The BD20A blend recorded the best thermal efficiency of the brake, 29.5%, which was a boost of about 20.4% over diesel when using a medium load of 2.7 kW. Furthermore, the decrease in brake-specific fuel consumption was 36.2%, and exhaust gas temperature improved by 26.1% due to enhanced combustion, indicating better combustion and utilization of heat. The BD10A and BD20A recorded a considerable decrease in emissions compared to diesel under full-load conditions, with carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons reducing by 35.7% and 33.3%, respectively, and a moderate increase of nitrogen oxides. Among the multi-objective optimization approaches, the Jaya algorithm exhibited the fastest convergence rate and identified the optimum operating condition that achieved the best trade-off between engine performance and exhaust emissions. BD blends, particularly BD20A, provide greater thermal performance and better combustion behavior as well as lower exhaust emissions, making them viable as green alternatives to the traditional diesel fuel.

Victor Soosai Irudayaraj, S., Thanigaivelan, V., Brucely, Y., Lenin, N.

Experimental Study on the Temperature Impact of a Typical Cabin Fire on Adjacent Cabins

2026-99-0866

7/30/2026

The cabins of ships are mainly made of steel. When a fire breaks out, the temperature inside the cabin rises rapidly, and an extensive body of heat spreads through the bulkheads to adjacent cabins. Understanding the variation law of the temperature field in adjacent compartments after a fire occurs in the compartments is of great significance for the research on the thermal safety of ship compartments. This paper designs an L-shaped cabin test system. We conduct fire tests of different scales and obtain the temperature distribution of adjacent compartments. The test results show that as the fire area in the pool keeps rising, the temperature in the adjacent compartments keeps rising. Due to the fact that an extensive body of high-temperature smoke produced by combustion is suspended at the ceiling of the compartment of fire, the temperature of the vertically adjacent compartments is higher than that of the horizontally adjacent compartments.

Hu, Wei-guo, Hu, Yang, Wei, Jin, Yuan, Ya-long

Effects of Equivalence Ratio on Hydrogen Combustion Flow and NOX Emission Characteristics in a Jet-Trapped Vortex Combustor

2026-99-0806

7/30/2026

The jet-trapped vortex combustor presented in this study was designed based on the trapped vortex combustor with good flame stability by introducing a jet flame-stabilization method. Leveraging the superior air-fuel mixing efficiency and enhanced heat and mass transfer of the jet stabilization method, this configuration addresses the inherent limitations of heat and mass transfer between the mainstream flow and the cavity in a conventional trapped vortex combustor. To investigate the influence of different hydrogen-air equivalence ratios on the flow dynamics, combustion performance, and emission within the jet-trapped vortex combustor, numerical simulations were conducted in this study. The results show that under different equivalence ratios, a vortex pair structure can be formed in the mixing zone between the hydrogen jet and the air jet. Complete combustion can be achieved at all equivalence ratios except for Φ = 1.56. When Φ is below 0.86, the axial distance required to achieve complete combustion progressively decreases as the equivalence ratio is reduced. The temperature distribution in the combustor is more uniform with minimal variation, and the concentration of NO emissions decreases progressively. Among these cases, the combustion efficiency, temperature distribution, and NO emission characteristic of the combustor are relatively better at Φ = 0.34.

Yan, Pinghua, Hou, Xinglong, Ren, Guanlong, Sun, Haijun, Luo, Kun, Yang, Shucheng

3D Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of the Performance and Emissions of an Off-Highway Port Fuel Injection Hydrogen Engine

03-19-04-0018

7/27/2026

To fulfil the global aspiration of achieving net-zero emissions, hydrogen as a fuel seems to be one of the promising candidates. High energy density per unit mass and zero carbonaceous emissions are the two salient advantages that hydrogen offers. In the present study, a set of detailed chemistry-based 3D CFD combustion simulation has been carried on a 3-cylinder turbocharged, water-cooled port fuel injection SI Hydrogen engine to understand its optimum air–fuel ratio, compression ratio, spark timing and combustion chamber geometry. The simulations have been conducted at the full load of the rated power and maximum torque engine rpms. During simulation, the λ zone for study is restricted between 2.1 and 2.7. Two different bowl geometries (spherical and cylindrical), with two compression ratio options (12 and 14) are explored in the simulations. While the spherical bowl seems to accommodate flame front better than the cylindrical bowl, the compression ratio of 12 is a safer choice to control the maximum rate of pressure rise (dp/dθ). At full load and rated speed, the indicated thermal efficiency drops by 7.7% as the λ swings from 2.1 to 2.7, whereas the indicated specific NOx and dp/dθ drop by 99% and 81%, respectively. Similarly, at full load and maximum torque RPM, the indicated thermal efficiency drops by 6.4% with λ swing from 2.1 to 2.7, whereas the indicated specific NOx and dp/dθ drop by 99% and 91%, respectively. Beyond λ = 2.4 NOx reaches almost to zero, however, at a compromise of the thermal efficiency. The dp/dθ remains well within the acceptable limit under this scenario. To account this trade-off between the performance and emission parameters, optimum λ zone has been found out to be between 2.3 and 2.5.

Satre, Santosh Dadasaheb, Mukherjee, Nalini Kanta, Kumar, Sanjeev, Nene, Devendra

Modeling and Simulation Analysis of Liquid Hydrogen and Power Systems Based on Amesim

2026-99-1608

7/24/2026

Hydrogen-powered aircraft primarily utilize the conversion of liquid hydrogen into gaseous hydrogen to replace aviation kerosene, where hydrogen is directly combusted to provide propulsion. This study applied Amesim software to establish a complicated model simulating the liquid hydrogen to gaseous hydrogen conversion and ignition combustion processes. The simulation contains converting liquid hydrogen into gaseous hydrogen through a heat exchanger and simulating the mixture of gaseous hydrogen and air in the engine combustion chamber, and then igniting the mixture. The pressure, temperature, and flow rate of gaseous hydrogen and air during the ignition and combustion process in the engine combustion chamber, as well as the outlet temperature of the combustion chamber, are simulated and analyzed. The results demonstrate that during the simulation process, the internal pressure of the liquid hydrogen storage tank, the outlet pressure and flow rate of the liquid hydrogen pump, and the pressure and flow rate of gaseous hydrogen meet the requirements of the ignition combustion test. In addition, varying gaseous hydrogen flow rates had significant impacts on the temperature of the combustion chamber during combustion.

Gao, Pengfei, Wang, Lijian

Simulation and Analysis of the Ignition Flow Field at the Bottom of a Small Cartridge with Densely Packed Granular Propellant

2026-99-1609

7/24/2026

To address the issue of point ignition efficiency caused by the dense packing of granular propellant in miniaturized ejection devices, this study determined that the ignition efficiency at the bottom of the small cartridge is sufficient to meet requirements. By combining the Blender physics engine with ANSYS SpaceClaim scripting and modeling technology, a three-dimensional random packing model was constructed. Fluent fluid-structure interaction simulations analyzed the effects of vertical, horizontal, and mixed drop methods on ignition characteristics. The Realizable k-epsilon turbulence model was used to simulate the transient flow of high-pressure gas, quantifying ignition efficiency by the fuel surface ratio. At a certain ignition pressure, it was found that the fuel surface ratio growth rate for vertical and mixed drop filling methods was higher (with differences < 3% within 0.25 ms). Further analysis indicated that horizontal drop filling led to an 8.7% reduction in the internal hole fuel surface ratio due to the axial alignment of the propellant particles with the ignition direction. The temperature field and flow velocity cloud diagrams showed that under the bottom ignition structure, gas can form a continuous high-temperature zone in disordered gaps, with a uniform propagation speed gradient in the vertical direction. The fuel surface formation time (0.25 ms) is much shorter than the combustion cycle (> 10 ms), and the differences in fuel surface ratio among the three filling methods have a limited impact on overall combustion.

Yu, Rui, Wang, Xiaojun, Bai, Liqiang, Li, Guoqin

Experimental Investigation on Unburned Methanol and Formaldehyde Emissions from a Direct-Injection Diesel / Methanol Dual-Fuel Engine

2026-99-1646

7/24/2026

For large-bore marine methanol / diesel dual-fuel engines, this study investigates the formation characteristics of unregulated emissions through experimental methods and explores the mechanisms by which engine load and injection timing influence the emissions of unburned methanol and formaldehyde. The study was carried out on a supercharged intercooled inline six-cylinder engine, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to monitor the exhaust composition in real time. The study shows that methanol released in the exhaust is due to the incomplete combustion of the methanol fuel. In the combustion process of methanol fuel, formaldehyde mainly arises from two pathways, the first of which is the partial oxidation of methanol inside the cylinder; secondly, the unburned methanol in the exhaust gas oxidizes in the exhaust pipe to generate formaldehyde. As the load increased from 25% to 100%, the unburned methanol emissions decreased by 29%, and formaldehyde emissions decreased by 71%. This is mainly attributed to the enhanced oxidation reaction and reduced wall crevice effect due to the increased combustion temperature. Methanol injection timing optimization was effective in controlling unregulated emissions, with methanol emissions lower at -7° CA ATDC and formaldehyde emissions reaching larger values under this condition. Delaying the diesel injection to -16°CA ATDC led to a 38% increase in unburned methanol emissions, caused by fuel spray interactions and longer stagnation, whereas formaldehyde emissions showed minimal change.

Jiang, Yuqi, Li, Hongmei, Zhang, Wenzheng, Li, Xiao, Zheng, Liang, Meng, Yangqian, Gu, Xianan, Hua, Hanqing

Experimental and Computational Study on Combustion and Performance Characteristics of an Ammonia–Diesel Dual-Fuel Engine under Low Load Conditions

2026-01-5062

7/22/2026

Ammonia is receiving heightened attention as a carbon-neutral and hydrogen energy carrier alternative fuel for compression ignition engines. However, replacing diesel with ammonia poses significant challenges due to its low reactivity and slow-burning nature, particularly at low-load conditions. This study investigated the effect of ammonia energy share (AES) on the combustion characteristics and performance of an ammonia–diesel dual-fuel (ADDF) compression ignition engine operating under low loads and at a constant speed of 1800 RPM. The experiments were conducted at three different loads: 6 Nm, 13.5 Nm, and 18 Nm, corresponding to 11%, 25%, and 33% of full load, respectively. At each load, the AES was incrementally increased, ranging from zero to its maximum limit, while maintaining the COV of IMEP below 3% to ensure stable combustion. Furthermore, CFD simulations were performed using a CONVERGE CFD model of the engine to analyze the in-cylinder thermal and chemical behavior, and the model was validated against the experimental data. The experimental results showed that the AES reached 40%, 58%, and 61% for engine loads of 6 Nm, 13.5 Nm, and 18 Nm, respectively. Increasing AES reduced the mean in-cylinder temperature and peak cylinder pressure, and shifted the peak pressure location toward the expansion stroke. Combustion phasing was delayed, and combustion duration increased with higher ammonia substitution. CFD analysis revealed weaker high-temperature and OH reaction zones, along with reduced OH and H radical activity, and increased persistence of NH2 and HO2 evolution at higher AES, indicating slower oxidation of the ammonia-containing mixture. The results highlight the challenges associated with high-ammonia operation at low loads and provide deeper insight into the combustion processes governing ADDF engine performance.

Sardar, Gobinda, Kishore, Kislay, Pradeep, P., Mittal, Mayank

A Detection Method for 10N Thruster Ignition Anomaly Based on the Temperature Model

2026-99-1814

7/17/2026

To solve a problem that ignition anomaly can’t be detected in time, based on the thermal equilibrium equation, the space heat flow, heater heating, propellant combustion, and thermal radiation to cryogenic space are considered to build an accurate ignition temperature method for the 10 N thruster by using on-orbit true temperature. Further, considering the error of measuring the thermistor, an envelope model for the 10 N thruster ignition temperature is established. Based on the above, a detection method for the 10 N thruster ignition anomaly of on-orbit satellites is proposed. The accuracy of the method is relatively high, and the absolute error is less than 3 degrees Celsius. An anomaly can be quickly detected when the 10N thruster ignition temperature deviates from the normal trend by 3–5 degrees celsius. The method is applied to a DFH-3 satellite, and the maximum difference of 10 N thruster ignition temperature between the theoretical values calculated by the proposed method and the measured values is only 2.72 degrees celsius. It has been proven that the prediction accuracy of the proposed method is high. It plays an important role in discovering the 10N thruster ignition anomaly in time and ensuring the success of satellite orbit or attitude control.

Li, Liling, Tian, Huadong, Wei, Yubo, Fei, Di, Xing, Chao

Drop Impact Phenomena: An Experimental Study of Isooctane Interaction with Dry Walls and Liquid Films

2026-01-5015

7/13/2026

In this study, high-speed back-illuminated imaging and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) methods were employed to investigate the impingement behavior of millimeter-sized single isooctane drops on a dry solid wall and various liquid films, including isooctane and glycerol solution films of different concentrations. Various fuel spray impingement scenarios in gasoline direct injection engines were examined. High-speed back-illuminated imaging was primarily used to examine the impact of fuel drops on a dry wall and a fuel film of the same composition as the drops. The LIF method was used to examine the impact of fuel drops on the glycerol solution film, allowing for the distinction between fuel drops and the glycerol solution film. The impingement behavior varied depending on the Weber number of the incident drop and the wall condition. When fuel drops impacted the solid dry wall vertically, they spread into a circular liquid film. The outer edge of the liquid film folded and bulged, and upon reaching the maximum spreading diameter, it maintained equilibrium and did not retract. When isooctane fuel drops impacted the isooctane film, they broke and splashed, with thinner films producing stronger splashes. Additionally, the Weber number of the fuel drops significantly influenced the crown shape and splashing after impact. The impingement behavior of fuel drops on the glycerol solution film was also investigated, focusing on the liquid film morphology after impact. Based on the experimental data, empirical correlations were established between the critical Weber numbers for transitions among different crown morphologies and the dimensionless film thickness under varying film viscosities.

Yang, Tian, Lu, Lili, Guo, Zongwei, Song, Enzhe, Yao, Chong, Ning, Yilin, Ke, Yun

Development of a Hybrid-Driven Computational Model for Cylinder Pressure in Marine Low-Speed Engines

2026-99-0525

7/10/2026

To address the high operating cost of online cylinder pressure monitoring systems for low-speed engines in ships and the limitations of existing alternatives - i.e., the lack of flexibility of the mechanical model under different operating conditions and the lack of physical interpretability of the data-driven model - this study proposes a hybrid-driven based in-cylinder pressure calculation model. Taking the 6EX340EF marine low-speed engine as the object of study, the method first constructs a mechanical model and optimizes the Wiebe function parameters using the Dung Beetle Optimizer (DBO). Subsequently, the mapping relationships between operating parameters, Wiebe parameters, initial compression stage temperature and charge mass are learned by constructing a combined neural network of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Bi-directional Long and Short-Term Memory Network (Bi-LSTM). Finally, the overall calculation of in-cylinder pressure was realized by integrating a multidimensional parametric framework of engine configuration parameters, real-time running inputs and dynamic MAP maps. The results show IMEP R2 = 0.9864 and peak pressure error ≤ 2%, confirming that the model can provide technical support for long-term real-time pressure measurement and closed-loop optimization control based on in-cylinder pressure for marine low-speed engines.

Huang, Jialong

Optimization of Preheating Energy Distribution for Low-Temperature Cold Starts in Diesel-Electric Hybrid Vehicles

2026-99-0516

7/10/2026

To minimize energy input and preheating time, this study first analyzed the energy consumption of intake air, lubricating oil, and coolant preheating through simulations. Temperature rise data were collected under various heating parameters. Next, simulations evaluated the hybrid power system’s resistance characteristics immediately after startup and the combustion parameters during the first cycle post-ignition under different temperatures. The temperature thresholds for successful start-up were identified, defining the feasible domain for optimization. Optimization calculations aimed to minimize preheating time and energy input, constrained by maximum preheating power. Results show that intake air heating has the greatest impact on start-up success, followed by lubricating oil heating. It is recommended to increase energy allocation to intake air and lubricating oil heating. This optimized strategy reduces preheating time and energy input by approximately 26% without changing the preheating equipment.

Wei, Shengchen, Zhao, Zhenfeng

Study on Diesel-Methanol Non-Premixed Combustion Characteristics of a Marine Dual-Fuel Engine at Different Methanol Substitution Rate

2026-99-0517

7/10/2026

Methanol use in marine engines has the potential to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, particulates, and greenhouse gas emissions. A turbocharged four-stroke marine diesel powerplant was converted to run as a double-DI (direct injection) diesel-methanol hybrid engine. Experimental studies using a non-premixed combustion scheme showed that higher methanol substitution ratios (MSR) led to increased peak heat release rates. The combustion process displayed distinctive two-phase behaviors. Increasing MSR caused retarded ignition timing, shortened combustion duration, and improved thermal efficiency. Combustion stability was significantly improved at higher MSR. Emissions results showed NOX and HC were increased in proportion to MSR, whilst particulate emissions and CO concentrations were inversely reduced. Methanol enrichment was found to enhance NOX and HC formation processes but also accelerate soot particulate decomposition and CO oxidation mechanisms.

Li, Xiao, Jiang, Yuqi, Yan, Ping, Zheng, Liang, Li, Hongmei, Zhang, Wenzheng, Chen, Chao, Man, Zhongguo

Efficient Powertrain Control Using Signal Decomposition: Utilizing Signal Decomposition Constituents for Knock Detection in Internal Combustion Engines

2026-01-0737

7/1/2026

Knocking combustions in an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) are engine damaging combustions, and reliable detection of each knocking event is very critical. Engines usually rely on piezo-electric knock sensors to monitor structure-borne noise, which outputs a complex, continuous time series signal. Typically, knock combustions have an additional noise component along with the regular combustion signal, but differentiation of knocking vs non knocking signal (signal to noise ratio) based on visual inspection of this signal alone is challenging and requires computationally intense signal processing such as Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT) or Wavelet transforms followed by manual calibration [1]. In this paper, we propose an alternative to replace traditional knock detection with more reliable time-domain alternative signal decomposition technique. Here we decompose the raw sensor signal into seasonality, trend, and residual, and use the residual component as it is seen to retain abnormalities in the signal during knocking combustion. Further, based on the amplitude of the residual, we can easily classify the combustions as low, medium, high or very high knocking events thus providing a precise and reliable detection.

Parulekar, Tushar A., Chilukuri, Sandeep, Mahmood, Haneefa

NO _x Formation Characteristics of Lean Hydrogen Combustion: From 0D Analysis to Comprehensive 3D-CFD Engine Investigations

2026-01-0732

7/1/2026

The transition toward climate-neutral transportation requires powertrain concepts that combine high efficiency with low pollutant emissions. In this context, hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines represent a promising solution when hydrogen is produced from renewable energy sources. Owing to its specific molecular properties, hydrogen offers new possibilities for influencing and optimizing the combustion process and reducing the emission formation. This paper presents a numerical approach for characterizing the NOx formation in a single-cylinder research engine equipped with port fuel injection and a passive pre-chamber ignition system. The single-cylinder is operated over a wide range of engine loads and speeds, covering air-to-fuel ratios from λ=1.5 to 2.5 and achieving up to 23 bar indicated mean effective pressure. The study focuses on the influence of engine load and mixture composition on NOx emissions. A dedicated look-up table approach in combination with several reaction parameters based on the extended Zeldovich mechanism are evaluated through comparison with experimental data. Furthermore, multiple sampling positions within the CFD mesh are examined. The simulations reproduce measured trends across variations in load and air-to-fuel ratio with good accuracy. At high load and λ=1.5, NOx emissions of up to 6000 ppm are produced, decreasing exponentially with increasing excess air. Finally, potential NOx reduction strategies for the single-cylinder are examined. While influencing the mixture homogenization shows limited effectiveness, temperature-based actions prove to be more effective. Among the investigated approaches, a Miller intake valve strategy yields the largest benefit, achieving approximately 10% NOx reduction by lowering end-of-compression temperatures and increasing residual gas dilution under otherwise identical operating conditions.

Gal, Thomas, Vacca, Antonino, Chiodi, Marco, Schmelcher, Robin, Kulzer, Andre Casal

Numerical Analysis of Pre-Ignition Factors in Hydrogen Engines

2026-01-0740

7/1/2026

Numerical analysis was conducted to investigate abnormal combustion, a major challenge in efforts to improve hydrogen engine efficiency. Focusing on two factors that induce abnormal combustion—surface reactions and lubricating oil—numerical analysis examined the potential for each to trigger abnormal combustion. Furthermore, since it was confirmed that the autoignition prediction using a detailed chemical reaction mechanism deviates from experiments at temperatures around 800K, attempts were made to improve this issue. As a result, it was confirmed that surface reactions affect the chemical species ratio near the wall surface but have little effect on flame propagation. Regarding lubricating oil, two possibilities were investigated: the lubricating oil itself self-igniting and becoming an ignition source for the hydrogen mixture, and deposits generated from the lubricating oil generating heat and becoming an ignition source. The results of these investigations showed that autoignition occurs before top dead center in both cases: when lubricating oil is present in the mixture during the compression stroke and when deposits heated to high temperatures are present. This indicates that engine oil can induce pre-ignition. Furthermore, the effect of water vapor on ignition delay was investigated. Finally, it was confirmed that incorporating corrections for molecules possessing kinetic energy deviating from the Maxwell distribution under low-temperature, high-pressure conditions into the reaction rate calculation improves the prediction accuracy of autoignition around 800 K.

Moriyoshi, Yasuo, Yamane, Taichi, Wang, Zhiyuan, Kuboyama, Tatsuya

Experimental Investigation into Port Water Injection on the Transient Behavior of a Heavy-Duty Hydrogen Engine

2026-01-0743

7/1/2026

Hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engines are a potential carbon-free propulsion solution for high-power applications such as construction machinery and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. However, compared to conventional diesel engines, hydrogen engines exhibit limitations in transient operation and at full load, primarily due to the high reactivity of hydrogen. In spark-ignited hydrogen engines, combustion anomalies represent the main constraint during performance-oriented operation, particularly during transient phases that require mixture enrichment to meet dynamic torque demands. Water injection is investigated in this study as a means to mitigate these limitations. The paper describes the implementation of a port water injection system on a heavy-duty commercial hydrogen engine and evaluates its influence on engine performance with a focus on transient operating conditions. A combustion anomaly evaluation method developed in-house is applied to quantify the effect of water injection on abnormal combustion behavior. The results show that water injection shifts the combustion anomaly limit toward richer air–fuel ratios, thereby enabling mixture enrichment up to stoichiometric conditions or under during transient load changes. Water is injected cyclically into each intake port to achieve a defined water-to-hydrogen ratio during load steps. Even at low water injection rates, a significant reduction in engine response time is observed, leading to transient torque response comparable to that of a diesel reference engine. Improved torque demand tracking is demonstrated in dynamic test cycles. In steady-state operation, the application of water injection also extends the achievable full-load operating range. Overall, the results indicate that port water injection is an effective measure for suppressing abnormal combustion in heavy-duty hydrogen engines and enables more aggressive yet stable engine calibration with minimal water consumption, contributing to diesel-like performance characteristics.

Schneider, David, Christoforetti, Paul, Kappacher, Peter, Kapeller, David, Schutting, Eberhard, Eichlseder, Helmut, Trapp, Christian

Experimental Study of Warm-Up And Startability Operations in a Spark Ignition Engine Fueled with Ethanol Gasoline Blends

2026-01-0738

7/1/2026

The mitigation of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions poses a major challenge for the transportation sector, driving the need for renewable fuels. Bioethanol represents a promising fuel for Spark-Ignition (SI) engines, combining a reduced life-cycle CO₂ impact with advantageous combustion properties. However, despite its proven performance under steady-state conditions, the widespread of fuels with high ethanol content is still constrained by significant difficulties during engine cold-start operation. This study aims to experimentally assess the effect of ethanol concentration on cold-start performance and warm-up transient behavior of a Naturally Aspirated (NA), Port Fuel Injected (PFI) SI engine. Warm-up tests were conducted at an operating condition of 2000 rpm engine speed and 20 Nm torque using three fuels with increasing ethanol content: commercial gasoline (E5), E30 and E60. In addition, dedicated startability tests were carried out for E60 and neat ethanol (E100) at different initial engine wall temperatures to evaluate fuel sensitivity to thermal conditions during engine start. The experimental results indicate that increasing ethanol concentration has a negligible effect on the overall duration of the warm-up process, while leading to a modest reduction in both engine wall and exhaust gas temperatures. At the same time, E100 displays severe startability limitations at low initial wall temperatures, requiring repeated cranking attempts before stable operation can be achieved. The same startability issues have been observed for E60 but with limited intensity. Two minimum engine wall temperature ranges were identified for reliable cold-start operation at 20-25 °C for E60 and 25-30°C for E100. Overall, these findings experimentally confirm the dominant influence of engine thermal conditions on the reliable startability of ethanol-fueled spark-ignition engines.

Falbo, Luigi, Falbo, Biagio, Perrone, Diego, Castiglione, Teresa

Synergistic Integration of Advanced Combustion and Air-Path Technologies to Maximize Internal Combustion Engines Efficiency in Hybrid Applications

2026-01-0733

7/1/2026

This paper assesses the efficiency limits of light-duty vehicle propulsion systems based on reciprocating internal combustion engines (ICE) in the current state of the art and in the next five-year horizon, considering their combination with technologies such as electric turbocharging and hybridization, while excluding plug-in hybrid configurations so that fuel remains the primary onboard energy source. A systematic methodology is applied to evaluate the influence of key variables—heat transfer, air–fuel ratio, and compression ratio—on engine performance, integrating these variations into a simulation model to capture their interactions and effects. The resulting parametric study enables the generation of new engine maps that exploit synergies between parameters and enhance the prediction of engine behaviour across different operating conditions, forming the basis for assessing potential advancements in hybrid powertrain architectures. These maps are then used to define performance expectations for hybrid vehicles, identifying optimal parameter combinations to guide future technology development and improve efficiency in hybrid powertrain design. The proposed powertrain architectures are integrated into a representative vehicle model, considering two vehicle typologies: a compact passenger car and a sport utility vehicle (SUV). To quantify the potential fuel-consumption benefits, an intelligent energy-management algorithm is implemented to supervise and optimize system operation over a WLTC driving cycle. The results indicate that the proposed configurations can achieve fuel-consumption reductions exceeding 20%, demonstrating the effectiveness of both the powertrain designs and the control strategies. Overall, the findings highlight the significant efficiency potential of advanced ICE-based propulsion systems when combined with near-term technologies such as electric boosting and hybridization, confirming the viability of these improvements and providing a robust basis for future hybrid vehicle development focused on maximizing energy efficiency in transportation.

Pla, Benjamin, Dolz, Vicente, Serrano, Jose R., Gómez-Vilanova, Alejandro, Oliva, Fermin, Cardenas, Maria, Ariztegui, Javier

Defining and Measuring Factors Affecting Helicopter Turbine Engine Power Available

ARP1702B (Current)

6/29/2026

This SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) identifies and defines a method of measuring those factors affecting installed power available for helicopter powerplants. These factors are installation losses, accessory power extraction, and operational effects. Accurate determination of these factors is vital in the calculation of helicopter performance as described in the RFM. It is intended that the methods presented herein prescribe and define each factor as well as an approach to measuring said factor. Only basic installations of turboshaft engines in helicopters are considered. Although the methods described may apply in principle to other configurations that lead to more complex installation losses, such as an inlet particle separator, inlet barrier filter (with or without a bypass system), or infrared suppressor, specialized or individual techniques may be required in these cases for the determination and definition of engine installation losses. Some rotorcraft may use an alternate source of propulsion system power to supplement engine output shaft power delivered. If RFM performance includes the contribution of a Supplemental Power Unit (SPU), then the installed power available of the SPU should also be defined and measured, for which the power loss factors and methods described in this document may be applicable.

S-12 Powered Lift Propulsion Committee

Experimental Investigation of Fuel Cutout Strategies in a Heavy-Duty Gasoline Compression Ignition Engine

03-19-03-0015

6/26/2026

This study investigates Gasoline Compression Ignition (GCI), a family of advanced combustion strategies that can be used to achieve low engine-out criteria pollutant emissions in the heavy-duty transportation sector. In particular, high fuel stratification GCI (HFS-GCI) has been shown to have high thermal efficiencies while maintaining a highly controllable and responsive mixing-controlled combustion event. However, stable combustion at low loads has been shown to be the principal challenge to the implementation of HFS-GCI in production applications. It has also been observed that several strategies that achieve stable combustion at low loads result either in increased emissions or efficiency penalties. While the achievement and maintenance of high enough exhaust temperatures for efficient aftertreatment operation is a significant challenge at low loads even for traditional diesel engine operation, this challenge is exacerbated by the low reactivity and colder flame temperature of gasoline. In recent single-cylinder and 1D simulation studies, fuel cutout strategies have been proposed as an enabling strategy to simultaneously improve combustion stability at low loads and increase exhaust temperatures. In this study, fuel cutout strategies are studied in a prototype multicylinder heavy-duty GCI engine based on a Cummins ISX15 diesel engine. Steady-state engine studies are conducted at warm and cold idle conditions to identify combinations of cylinders that provide the most benefit. NOx and soot limits are set and the performance of cutout strategies are compared to a pre-optimized baseline. The most optimal strategies from steady-state testing are then implemented under transient test cycle conditions similar to those required under United States regulatory testing. The strategies were found to offer simultaneous improvements in stability, fuel consumption, criteria pollutants, and turbine outlet temperature. The choice of cylinders whose fuel supply was cut was seen to be important in realizing the observed benefits. The use of fuel cutout strategies offered optimal performance at all the conditions considered, offering an additional lever to improve the performance of HFS-GCI and highlighting a promising pathway to the use of gasoline-like fuels as alternatives to diesel in heavy-duty engines.

Viswanathan, Aravindh Babu, Zhang, Yu, Merritt, Brock

Evaluating the Impact of Fuel Additives on Stochastic Pre-ignition Using Center for Quality Assurance (CQA) Approved Methodology

03-19-03-0016

6/22/2026

Stochastic preignition (SPI) or low-speed preignition (LSPI) is an abnormal combustion phenomenon observed in downsized turbocharged direct-injection spark-ignition engines at highly boosted conditions. SPI results from the ignition of the air-fuel mixture from a fuel or oil droplet or a detached deposit before the spark discharge, and its occurrence can lead to extremely high peak pressures and severe knock, which can cause physical damage to the engine. This phenomenon limits the downsizing and boosting potential of direct-injection spark-ignition engines, thereby constraining the efficiency benefits that can be achieved. The propensity for SPI to occur is impacted by engine operating conditions as well as the properties of the fuel, fuel additives, lubricant, and lubricant additives. To mitigate its occurrence, it is important to understand the factors that impact the frequency of SPI events. As this abnormal combustion phenomenon is relatively recent, there was a lack of a standard procedure to detect the impact of a parameter on SPI frequency. This study details the development and validation of an engine dynamometer test procedure—the TOP TIER™ Standardized Dynamometer Test Method to Evaluate Additized Detergent Gasoline for SPI—approved by the Center for Quality Assurance (CQA), to evaluate gasoline additives for their impact on SPI. In this project, the newly validated SPI test protocol was used to compare the relative SPI tendencies of four TOP TIER™ fuel additives at maximum retail concentration against unadditized SPI test fuel, which served as the baseline. All four fuel additives were tested three times in randomized order. The results revealed that none of the TOP TIER™ additives tested had a statistically significant impact on the SPI rate.

Gopujkar, Siddharth, Davis, Richard, Worm, Jeremy, Tuma, Nic, Shukla, Prajwal, Reilly, Veronica, Chapman, Elana, Ciaravino, Joseph, Seyfried, Philipp

A Modeling and Experimental Study of the Argon Power Cycle Using Mixing-Controlled Combustion

2026-01-5043

6/19/2026

The closed-cycle hydrogen-fueled argon power cycle is a zero emissions concept that combines a carbon-free fuel with argon as a diluent replacement for nitrogen. The lack of nitrogen in the argon power cycle results in zero NOx emissions on an internal combustion engine platform. There is also massive efficiency improvement because argon is monatomic and has a very high ratio of specific heats. However, this will also result in combustion temperatures and pressures exceeding those normally achieved on an air-standard engine platform. The literature shows conflict between modeling, which promises incredibly high efficiency gains, and experiment, which show more modest efficiency gains. This work combined thermodynamic modeling, literature analysis, and experiments to understand this discrepancy and ultimately understand what level of efficiency gain can be expected for the argon power cycle. It was found that while low compression ratio engines stand to see the largest relative efficiency improvement, high compression ratio engines are the ones that can ultimately achieve ~60%+ efficiency, corresponding to a 15–20% relative improvement in efficiency over an air-standard engine platform operating at or above 50% efficiency. The elevated temperatures and pressures of the cycle result in knock in spark ignition, so either a high compression ratio knock mitigation strategy or mixing-controlled operation is required. Experiments conducted using a diesel-fueled compression ignition engine showed that a 30% argon replacement resulted in ~6% and full nitrogen replacement with argon resulted in ~14% relative efficiency improvement at 8 bar gross indicated mean effective pressure (IMEPg) without intake boosting on a heavy-duty engine with a compression ratio of 20.0 and late intake valve closing, agreeing with modeling results. The key takeaway to match modeling and experimental trends is to accurately model heat transfer, which increases significantly for the argon power cycle.

Gainey, Brian, Ahrling, Christoffer, Tunestal, Per, Tuner, Martin

SAE Truck & Off-Highway Engineering: June 2026

26TOFHP066/11/2026

Hitting the road in the all-new VNR Volvo Trucks' revised VNR brings updated safety tech, improved fuel economy and driver comfort features to the regional haul segment. In fuel control How to ensure off-highway combustion systems operate with sufficient control to meet tightening emissions standards and evolving fuel landscapes without sacrificing reliability. Keeping industrial vehicles secure in a digital landscape OEMs, integrators and suppliers must continuously process, assess and identify platform vulnerabilities to prioritize and implement updates that protect systems from cyberattacks and data breaches. Editorial Diversification key for sustainable fleets ACT 2026: Uncertainty still exists over EPA 2027 NOx limit ZF bets big on hybrid transmissions Moog simplifies off-highway electrification Bosch shows off its first U.S. electrolyzer Microvision fast-tracks adoption of Luminar tech; eyes defense, industrial sectors Future-ready, customizable connectivity powers precision agriculture Kenworth's new C580 clocks in for work Harbinger extends its range of medium-duty EVs Kubota's SVL110-3 brings new tech and service features to CTL segment Product Briefs SPOTLIGHTS: Diesel Engines & Subsystems; Manufacturing Tools & Materials; Motors, Inverters & Gearboxes Q&A Volvo turns attention to vocational trucks

Impact of High Compression Ratios on Ethanol Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition

2026-01-5038

6/10/2026

Ethanol requires elevated intake temperatures to initiate autoignition in Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) as a high-octane single-stage fuel. To leverage the high thermal efficiency, low engine-out NOx, and near-zero soot inherent to HCCI with ethanol, a custom piston design was developed to enable high compression ratios (CR) up to 22.5:1. This study investigates HCCI combustion with ethanol at three CRs of 17.5, 20.0, and 22.5 through equivalence ratio and boost sweeps performed to assess the reduction in the intake temperature requirement at high CRs and the emissions and efficiency trade-offs. Results indicate a clear benefit with reduced intake temperature requirements with increasing CR. However, a combustion efficiency penalty was observed at high CRs. Three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed using Large Eddy Simulation (LES) coupled with a detailed chemistry model to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the combustion efficiency penalty. CFD results reveal that the combustion efficiency penalty at high CR is primarily due to increased crevice mass trapping unburned or partially oxidized species and a rapid expansion effect inhibiting complete carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation.

Vedpathak, Kunal, Kumar, Mohit, Motwani, Rahul, Datar, Aditya, Gainey, Brian, Lawler, Benjamin

Evaluation of Flamelet-Based Combustion Models for Hydrogen-Ammonia Spark-Ignition Engines

2026-37-0027

6/9/2026

Besides the electrification of the transport sector, the growing interest in alternative fuels for internal combustion engines represents a promising pathway to effectively decarbonize transportation over the coming decades. Predictive combustion models implemented within CFD frameworks are a critical tool to guide the design of next-generation internal combustion engines fuelled with alternative fuels. Accurate prediction of the combustion heat release process is influenced by multiple interacting parameters, requiring combustion models that can reliably adapt to variations in fuel chemical properties and operating conditions. In this study, two well-established combustion models considered to model combustion development in Spark-Ignition engine, namely the Extended Coherent Flame Model (ECFM) and the G-equation model, are compared to assess their capability to adapt to changes in fuel chemical composition. Both models, based on the flamelet formulation are deliberately tested beyond their nominal validity range in order to highlight their limitations when applied to a broader range of operating conditions in the case of ammonia-hydrogen blends as fuel. The numerical predictions are validated against an extensive experimental dataset obtained from a commercial light duty engine converted to single-cylinder configuration over a wide range of equivalence ratios. Both models require careful calibration of the turbulence–chemistry interaction to account for the large variability in mixture conditions (% vol. hydrogen in the blend, equivalence ratio) investigated. Furthermore, the calibration strategy is analysed in relation to the turbulent combustion regime classification. Under perfectly premixed operating conditions, as the combustion analysis is unaffected by in-cylinder stratification, the interpretation enables a direct assessment of the turbulence–chemistry interaction modelling.

Sola, Riccardo, Baratta, Mirko, Misul, Daniela, Rousselle, Christine, BREQUIGNY, Pierre, Colin, Olivier

A Holistic CFD Methodology for Full- and Multi-Cycle Simulation of Hydrogen Direct-Injection Internal Combustion Engines

2026-37-0016

6/9/2026

Hydrogen is emerging as a viable energy carrier for the decarbonization of internal combustion engines (ICEs), representing a necessary step toward the long-term sustainability of this technology. In particular, hydrogen direct injection (DI) operation is receiving increased attention due to its inherent advantages over port fuel injection (PFI), such as reduced risks of abnormal combustion, higher specific power, and improved thermal efficiency. However, the mixture preparation process in DI operation generally leads to a stratified charge, especially under intermediate-to-late injection strategies, which in turn strongly affects ignition, combustion performance, and engine-out emissions. Therefore, investigating mixture formation, its key influencing parameters, and the resulting effects on the combustion process is essential for the proper design and optimization of hydrogen-fuelled DI ICEs. In this context, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) emerges as a powerful tool to address this research gap. Nevertheless, the numerical simulation of hydrogen DI ICEs presents several challenges, mainly related to the high pressure ratios across the injector nozzle, which generate under-expanded hydrogen jets with complex shock structures, as well as to the combustion behaviour of lean air–hydrogen mixtures characterized by thermo-diffusive instabilities. Consequently, the development of a high-fidelity and computationally efficient CFD methodology is a key requirement. In this work, a retrofitted single-cylinder engine (SCE) equipped with a hollow-cone injector is simulated over the entire engine cycle, considering operation under a moderately late DI strategy. First, the proposed 3D-CFD methodology is validated against the engine experimental data to assess its predictivity. The same operating condition is then investigated through multi-cycle simulations to evaluate numerical stability and analyse convergence behaviour. The results show that the air–hydrogen mixture is highly stratified at ignition timing, yet the methodology accurately captures the in-cylinder pressure and heat release rate evolution, also across multiple engine cycles.

Capecci, Marcolucio, Lucchini, Tommaso, Sforza, Lorenzo, Pezza, Vincenzo, Tosi, Sergio

Numerical Simulation of Spark-Ignited Flame Kernels towards Prospective Application to Hydrogen SI Engines

2026-37-0015

6/9/2026

The ongoing energy transition demands the decarbonization of the transport sector, for which the use of premixed hydrogen in spark-ignition (SI) engines appears very promising. However, modeling the combustion of the lean hydrogen/air mixtures required for safe, efficient, and low-NOx engine operation involves multiple open issues. Correct prediction of flame kernel initiation and growth is a difficulty that hydrogen shares with hydrocarbon fuels, while properly accounting for the instabilities that characterize lean hydrogen flames is an additional demanding task. In this work, a 1D kernel expansion model of general validity recently proposed by the authors is implemented into OpenFOAM, an open-source 3D CFD software package, to enable numerical simulation of expanding spark-ignited flame kernels. Firstly, the OpenFOAM framework is presented focusing on XiFluid, its flame propagation model based on a regress variable whose evolution depends on the laminar flame speed. Then, the authors’ kernel expansion model, based on the transient thermo-diffusive theory, is briefly recalled to highlight its capabilities and outputs. The coupling between OpenFOAM and authors’ model is split into two stages, namely ignition and expansion. During the ignition stage, an artificial profile of the regress variable is temporarily imposed to ensure a stable numerical solution, following which the kernel expansion is simulated by feeding into XiFluid an equivalent flame speed extracted from the 1D model. The coupling is currently formulated for laminar kernels, simulations of which are conducted firstly for conventional fuels (methane and propane) and then for hydrogen. The results are validated against outcomes of experimental tests performed in a constant-volume combustion chamber operated by engine manufacturer Wärtsilä. The validation is satisfactory for all fuels, although minor disagreements appear in case of intense flame stretch. These will be addressed in future developments, which will also extend this approach to unstable turbulent hydrogen flames in SI engines.

Dotteschini, Enrico, Pretto, Marco, Giannattasio, Pietro, Gadalla, Mahmoud

Combined EGR-Air Dilution Effects on Performance, Combustion and Emissions of a Single-Cylinder Spark-Ignition Direct-Injection Hydrogen Engine

2026-37-0009

6/9/2026

Hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2ICE) have emerged as a promising solution for decarbonisation of the transport sector, due to low cost and potential for rapid deployment. However, abnormal combustion and high nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions limit stoichiometric operation, making dilution strategies essential. While lean combustion has been widely studied, combined dilution strategies of air and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) require further investigation. This work presents experimental results from a boosted 0.5-litre spark-ignition direct-injection single-cylinder research engine equipped with high-tumble ports and cooled high-pressure EGR. Relative air–fuel ratios (lambda) of 1 to 3 and EGR rates of 0 to 40% are evaluated at 5, 10, and 15 bar of indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) at 2000 rpm to assess effects on net indicated thermal efficiency (nITE), combustion, and emissions. A peak nITE of 43.5% is achieved at 10 bar IMEP, λ = 2.5, and 30% EGR, which can be primarily attributed to low heat losses while maintaining lower combustion losses than at higher dilution levels. NOx emissions are effectively mitigated with increasing EGR and are largely independent of lambda at 5 bar IMEP under EGR dilution. At high load, EGR is shown to be beneficial to achieve high efficiency and lower NOx at lower dilution rates, thereby reducing boosting requirements. Equivalent dilution parameters are used to investigate combined effects of EGR and air dilution, from a mass dilution perspective with the mass dilution rate (MDR) and equivalent thermal reduction with the thermal dilution parameter (TDP). Indicated efficiency and unburned hydrogen emissions correlated strongly with MDR, while temperature-dependent parameters showed a high correlation with TDP. At constant engine speed, burn durations are shown to depend mainly on degree of thermal dilution, with no effect of load observed. At high dilution rates, combustion became increasingly insensitive to further dilution, indicating the presence of thermodiffusive instabilities under high levels of both EGR and air dilution.

King, Aidan, Islam, Reza, Pickering, Simon, Yuan, Hao, Mudge, Henry, Giles, Karl, Goyal, Harsh, Jones, Peter, Akehurst, Sam, Esposito, Stefania

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