Investigating optimal operating parameters of DI diesel engine: a CFD approach using CONVERGE^TM

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present the effects of varying different operating parameters such as Start of Injection (9 to 21 deg bTDC), compression ratio (16 to 12.5), fuel injection pressure (400 to 1,400 bar) and exhaust gas recirculation (0 to 25 per cent) on the performance and emissions of the engine for constant engine speed of 1,600 rpm.

Design/methodology/approach

Simulation results were validated with experimental data available in the literature for baseline configuration. The effect of each parameter on the performance characteristics such as pressure and temperature, emission characteristics such as NO_x and soot are presented and discussed. Optimization has been carried out based on the regression equations developed from the simulation results to obtain the optimum set of the parameters to achieve the desired performance and emissions. Numerical simulations have been performed for the optimized set and compared with the reference engine.

Findings

Results of optimization showed that there was a simultaneous reduction in NO_x and soot while maintaining the same level of performance as that of the baseline case.

Originality/value

Based on the present work, it can be said that lesser emissions are achieved in terms of NO_x and soot while maintaining the same performance in terms of peak pressure.

Citation

Rao, G.P., Dhyani, V., Kumar, D., Raju, V.R.K. and Rao, S.S. (2016), "Investigating optimal operating parameters of DI diesel engine: a CFD approach using CONVERGE^TM", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 356-363. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-08-2016-047