Analysis of temperature and altitude effects on the Global Energy Balance during WLTC

Abstract

In this work, the Global Energy Balance (GEB) of a 1.6 L compression ignition engine is analyzed during WLTC using a combination of experimental measurements and simulations, by means of a Virtual Engine. The energy split considers all the relevant energy terms at two starting temperatures (20°C and 7°C) and two altitudes (0 and 1000 m). It is shown that reducing ambient temperature from 20°C to −7°C decreases brake efficiency by 1% and increases fuel consumption by 4%, mainly because of the higher friction due to the higher oil viscosity, while the effect of increasing altitude 1000 m decreases brake efficiency by 0.8% and increases fuel consumption by 2.5% in the WLTC mainly due to the change in pumping. In addition, GEB shows that ambient temperature is affecting exhaust enthalpy by 4.5%, heat rejection to coolant by 2%, and heat accumulated in the block by 2.5%, while altitude does not show any remarkable variations other than pumping and break power.