Combustion control and operating range expansion in an homogeneous charge compression ignition engine with direct in-cylinder injection of reaction inhibitors

Abstract

Light naphtha, which exhibits two-stage ignition, was induced from the intake manifold and water or a low-ignitability fuel, which does not exhibit low temperature oxidation, was directly injected early in the compression stroke for ignition suppression in an homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine. Their quantitative balance was flexibly controlled to optimize ignition timing according to operating conditions. Ultra-low NOx and smokeless combustion without knocking or misfiring was realized over a wide operating range with water or alcohol injection. The water injection significantly reduced the low-temperature oxidation, which suppressed the increase in charge temperature and the rapid combustion caused by the high-temperature oxidation. Rapid combustion was suppressed by reductions in the maximum in-cylinder gas temperature due to water injection while the combustion efficiency suffered. Therefore, the maximum charge temperature needs to be controlled within an extremely limited range to maintain a satisfactory compromise between mild combustion and high combustion efficiency. Alcohols inhibit low-temperature oxidation more strongly than other oxygenated or unoxygenated hydrocarbons, water, and hydrogen. Chemical kinetic modelling with methanol showed a reduction of OH radical before the onset of low-temperature oxidation, and this may be the main mechanism by which alcohols inhibit low-temperature oxidation.