Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.5
2.5
Journals
Applied Sciences
Special Issues
Technical Advances in Combustion Engines: Efficiency, Power and Fuels
applsci-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Applied Sciences Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Technical Advances in Combustion Engines: Efficiency, Power and Fuels

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Mechanical Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2027 | Viewed by 3740

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Denys Baranovskyi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Mechanics and Technology, Rzeszow University of Technology, Stalowa Wola, Poland
Interests: neural network; manufacturing; processes; repair
Prof. Dr. Jose Ramon Serrano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
CMT-Clean Mobility & Thermofluids, Universitat Politècnica de València, 6D-UPV, Camí de Vera, S/N, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: thermofluids; internal combustion engines; powertrains for transport; emissions reduction and fuel efficient powertrains
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Combustion engines have been, and continue to be, the primary source of energy for passenger and freight transport, as well as for industry and the energy sector. Despite the growing significance of alternative energy sources, combustion engines are still evolving. This evolution is driven by the need for greater efficiency, higher power output, and the integration of alternative fuels. Recent technological advancements focus on optimizing thermal efficiency, reducing emissions, and incorporating alternative fuels to comply with increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue on "Technical Advances in Combustion Engines: Efficiency, Power and Fuels".

This Special Issue aims to showcase innovative research that enhances the efficiency, performance, and sustainability of combustion engines. The scope includes studies on novel combustion strategies, advanced techniques for improving thermal efficiency, engine downsizing, boosting and hybridization methods, waste heat recovery, thermodynamic optimization, and next-generation fuels such as biofuels and hydrogen. It also covers emission reduction technologies, after-treatment systems, emerging digital technologies for engine optimization, applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in combustion engine development, and life cycle analysis of combustion engine advancements and their environmental impact.

We welcome original research articles and review papers. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Advances in combustion modeling; Engine cooling strategies.
  2. Friction reduction; Application of new materials for the manufacture and repair of combustion engines;
  3. Systems for reducing energy and increasing the efficiency of combustion engines; Energy recovery systems during operation; strategies for increasing the power of combustion engines.
  4. Turbocharging; Variable valve timing; Innovative fuel injection techniques.
  5. Hydrogen combustion; Synthetic fuels; Biofuels; Fuel-blending strategies.
  6. Catalysts; Particulate filters; NOx reduction methods; Low-carbon technologies.
  7. Artificial intelligence-driven engine tuning; Predictive maintenance; Real-time monitoring systems.

This Special Issue will contribute to the ongoing evolution of combustion engines, supporting their role in a decarbonized and energy-efficient future.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Denys Baranovskyi
Prof. Dr. Jose Ramon Serrano
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • efficiency
  • power
  • fuels
  • emissions reduction
  • engine optimization
  • new materials
  • turbocharging
  • artificial intelligence
  • hydrogen combustion
  • waste heat recovery

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

21 pages, 3619 KB  
Article
Hydrogen Direct Injection and Intake Characteristics of an Internal Combustion Engine
by Pavol Tarbajovský and Milan Fiľo
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(24), 13230; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152413230 - 17 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1233
Abstract
Hydrogen internal combustion engines are a promising propulsion technology due to their zero-carbon emission potential and high efficiency. However, achieving stable mixture formation during direct hydrogen injection remains a key challenge affecting ignition stability and NOx emissions. Although numerous studies address the [...] Read more.
Hydrogen internal combustion engines are a promising propulsion technology due to their zero-carbon emission potential and high efficiency. However, achieving stable mixture formation during direct hydrogen injection remains a key challenge affecting ignition stability and NOx emissions. Although numerous studies address the combustion characteristics of hydrogen, only a limited number have examined the transient behavior of hydrogen/air mixing during the intake stroke, particularly its interaction with in-cylinder flow structures prior to ignition. This lack of detailed insight into early mixture stratification and jet-driven turbulence represents a significant research gap that currently limits further optimization of DI-H2ICE systems. This study therefore deals with the numerical analysis of the process of mixing hydrogen with air in the combustion chamber of a direct hydrogen injection engine (DI-H2ICE). A 3D CFD model of a hydrogen direct-injection engine was used to evaluate in-cylinder mixing during the intake and early compression strokes. Unlike most existing publications that focus primarily on combustion or emission formation, this work examines the mixing process from the beginning of the intake stroke and provides a new evaluation of the evolution of the hydrogen jet and its interaction with the piston-induced swirl as the crankshaft angle changes. The simulation covers the section from the exhaust top dead center (TDC) to the early compression phase, during which hydrogen is injected at a high pressure. The results show that the shape of the combustion chamber and the interaction of the hydrogen jet with the piston significantly affect the distribution of the equivalent ratio and the intensity of the swirl. Quantitative evaluation showed that the mixture remained lean overall throughout the cycle: typical hydrogen mass fractions in the cylinder ranged from 0.01 to 0.05, corresponding to equivalence ratios of φ = 0.35–1.81 (λ = 2.85–0.55). Only the core of the jet reached an instantaneous local mass fraction of 0.96, representing undiluted hydrogen and not a combustible mixture. No persistent zones with φ > 1 were detected, confirming that the chosen injection strategy prevents the formation of locally rich pockets. This study confirmed that a suitably selected injection configuration and combustion chamber geometry can significantly contribute to a uniform mixture distribution, a more stable combustion process, and lower NOx production. The presented findings provide a methodological basis for improving mixture formation strategies in hydrogen engines and may support the development of efficient, zero-carbon powertrains in future mobility systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technical Advances in Combustion Engines: Efficiency, Power and Fuels)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 5096 KB  
Article
Impact of Hydrogen-Methane Blending on Industrial Flare Stacks: Modeling of Thermal Radiation Levels and Carbon Dioxide Intensity
by Paweł Bielka, Szymon Kuczyński and Stanisław Nagy
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(17), 9479; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15179479 - 29 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1827
Abstract
Regulatory changes related to the policy of reducing CO2 emissions from natural gas are leading to an increase in the share of hydrogen in gas transmission and utilization systems. In this context, the impact of the change in composition on thermal radiation [...] Read more.
Regulatory changes related to the policy of reducing CO2 emissions from natural gas are leading to an increase in the share of hydrogen in gas transmission and utilization systems. In this context, the impact of the change in composition on thermal radiation zones should be assessed for flaring during startups, scheduled shutdowns, maintenance, and emergency operations. Most existing models are calibrated for hydrocarbon flare gases. This study assesses how the CH4–H2 blends affect thermal radiation zones using a developed solver based on the Brzustowski–Sommer methodology with composition-dependent fraction of heat radiated (F) and range-dependent atmospheric transmissivity. Five blends, 0–50% (v/v) H2, were analyzed for a 90 m stack at wind speeds of 3 and 5 m·s−1. Comparisons were performed at constant molar (standard volumetric) throughput to isolate composition effects. Adding H2 contracted the radiation zones and reduced peak ground loads. Superposition analysis for a multi-flare layout indicated that replacing one 100% (v/v) CH4 flare with a 10% (v/v) H2 blend reduced peak ground radiation. Emission-factor analysis (energy basis) showed reductions of 3.24/3.45% at 10% (v/v) H2 and 7.01/7.44% at 20% (v/v) H2 (LHV/HHV); at 50% (v/v) H2, the decrease reached 22.18/24.32%. Hydrogen blending provides coupled safety and emissions co-benefits, and the developed framework supports screening of flare designs and operating strategies as blends become more prevalent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technical Advances in Combustion Engines: Efficiency, Power and Fuels)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-2
Back to TopTop