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Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology
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Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2019) | Viewed by 92431

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Paul Medwell

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
Interests: combustion; laser diagnostics; humanitarian technology
Dr. Michael Evans

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
Interests: MILD combustion and autoignition; spray and droplet combustion; computational modelling of reacting flows; experimental investigation and laser diagnostics of flames; high pressure combustion; Reynolds-averaged; finite-rate combustion models
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Shaun Chan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
Interests: combustion; energy; renewables; engines; thermodynamics; heat transfer; laser diagnostics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The role that combustion plays in the world’s energy systems will continue to evolve with the changes in technological demands. For example, the challenges that we face today are more focused on the conservation of energy and on addressing environmental concerns, which together, necessitate cleaner and more efficient combustion processes using a range of fuel sources. In addition, combustion also plays an increasingly important role in materials science and process technology.

This Special Issue invites contributions to highlight the recent progress in theory and experiments, development, and/or demonstration of technologies and systems involving combustion processes, for the production, storage and utilization, and conservation of energy. In doing so, this Special Issue intends to present a forum to enable the rapid dissemination of recent ideas and results emanating from many diverse areas associated with combustion.

Prof. Dr. Paul Medwell
Dr. Michael Evans
Dr. Shaun Chan
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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

  • energy science
  • laser diagnostics
  • combustion
  • flames
  • engines
  • ignition

Published Papers (18 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

2 pages, 158 KiB  
Editorial
Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology
by Paul Ross Medwell, Michael John Evans and Qing Nian Chan
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(5), 1586; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10051586 - 27 Feb 2020
Viewed by 2111
Abstract
The role that combustion plays in energy systems remains crucial in supplying the world’s ever-increasing power demands [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

34 pages, 23677 KiB  
Article
Numerical Study of the Comparison of Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Eddy-Generation Scheme on the Fire Whirl Formulation and Evolution
by Cheng Wang, Anthony Chun Yin Yuen, Qing Nian Chan, Timothy Bo Yuan Chen, Ho Lung Yip, Sherman Chi-Pok Cheung, Sanghoon Kook and Guan Heng Yeoh
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(1), 318; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10010318 - 01 Jan 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2679
Abstract
A numerical study of the fire whirl formation under symmetrical and asymmetrical entraining configuration is presented. This work aims to assess the effect of eddy-generation configuration on the evolution of the intriguing phenomenon coupled with both flow dynamics and combustion. The numerical framework [...] Read more.
A numerical study of the fire whirl formation under symmetrical and asymmetrical entraining configuration is presented. This work aims to assess the effect of eddy-generation configuration on the evolution of the intriguing phenomenon coupled with both flow dynamics and combustion. The numerical framework implements large-eddy simulation, detailed chemistry to capture the sophisticated turbulence-chemistry interaction under reasonable computational cost. It also adopts liquid-based clean fuel with fixed injection rate and uniformed discretisation scheme to eliminate potential interference introduced by various aspects of uncertainties. The result reveals that the nascent fire whirl formulates significantly rapidly under the symmetrical two-slit configuration, with extended flame height and constrained vortex structure, compared with the asymmetrical baseline. However, its revolution orbit gradually diverges from domain centreline and eventually stabilises with a large radius of rotation, whereas the revolution pattern of that from the baseline case is relatively unchanged from the inception of nascent fire whirl. Through the analysis, the observed difference in evaluation pathway could be explained using the concept of circular motion with constant centripetal force. This methodology showcases its feasibility to reveal and visualise the fundamental insight and facilitate profound understanding of the flaming behaviour to benefit both research and industrial sectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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19 pages, 4126 KiB  
Article
Similarity Analysis for Time Series-Based 2D Temperature Measurement of Engine Exhaust Gas in TDLAT
by Hyeonae Jang and Doowon Choi
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(1), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10010285 - 30 Dec 2019
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2212
Abstract
As regulations on the emission of pollutants from combustion systems are further tightened, it is necessary to reduce pollutant species and improve combustion efficiency to completely understand the process in the combustion field. Tunable diode laser absorption tomography (TDLAT) is a powerful tool [...] Read more.
As regulations on the emission of pollutants from combustion systems are further tightened, it is necessary to reduce pollutant species and improve combustion efficiency to completely understand the process in the combustion field. Tunable diode laser absorption tomography (TDLAT) is a powerful tool that can analyze two-dimensional (2D) temperature and species concentration with fast-response and non-contact. In this study, stabilized spectra were implemented using the mean periodic signal technique to enable real-time 2D temperature measurement in harsh conditions. A time series statistical-based verification algorithm was introduced to select an optimal spectral cycle to track 2D reconstruction temperature. The statistical-based verification is based on the Two-sample t test, root mean square error, and time-based Mahalanobis distance, which is a technique for similarity analysis between thermocouple and reconstruction temperature of 18 candidate cycles. As a result, it was observed that the statistical-based TDLAT contribute to improving the accuracy of time series-based 2D temperature measurements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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15 pages, 3917 KiB  
Article
Combustion Process of Canola Oil and n-Hexane Mixtures in Dynamic Diesel Engine Operating Conditions
by Rafał Longwic, Przemysław Sander, Anna Zdziennicka, Katarzyna Szymczyk and Bronisław Jańczuk
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(1), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10010080 - 20 Dec 2019
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3062
Abstract
The article discusses the problem of using canola oil and n-hexane mixtures in diesel engines with storage tank fuel injection systems (common rail). The tests results of the combustion process in the dynamic operating conditions of an engine powered by these mixtures are [...] Read more.
The article discusses the problem of using canola oil and n-hexane mixtures in diesel engines with storage tank fuel injection systems (common rail). The tests results of the combustion process in the dynamic operating conditions of an engine powered by these mixtures are presented. On the basis of the conducted considerations, it was found that the addition of n-hexane to canola oil does not change its energy properties and significantly improves physicochemical properties such as the surface tension and viscosity. It contributes to the improvement of the flammable mixture preparation process and influences the course of the combustion process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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17 pages, 5907 KiB  
Article
Model Issues Regarding Modification of Fuel Injector Components to Improve the Injection Parameters of a Modern Compression Ignition Engine Powered by Biofuel
by Jacek Eliasz, Tomasz Osipowicz, Karol Franciszek Abramek and Łukasz Mozga
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(24), 5479; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9245479 - 13 Dec 2019
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4124
Abstract
This article presents a theoretical analysis of the use of spiral-elliptical ducts in the atomizer of a modern fuel injector. The parameters of the injected fuel stream can be divided into quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative parameter is the injection dose amount, and [...] Read more.
This article presents a theoretical analysis of the use of spiral-elliptical ducts in the atomizer of a modern fuel injector. The parameters of the injected fuel stream can be divided into quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative parameter is the injection dose amount, and the qualitative parameter is characterized by the stream of injected fuel (width, atomization, opening angle, and range). The purpose of atomizer modification is to cause additional flow turbulence, which may affect the stream parameters and improve the combustion process of the combustible mixture in a diesel engine. The spiral-elliptical ducts discussed here could be used in engines powered by vegetable fuels. The stream of such fuels has worse quality parameters than conventional fuels, due to their higher viscosity and density. The proposal to use spiral-elliptical ducts is an innovative idea for diesel engines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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18 pages, 7876 KiB  
Article
Numerical Simulation of Hot Jet Detonation with Different Ignition Positions
by Hongtao Zheng, Shizheng Liu, Ningbo Zhao, Xiang Chen, Xiongbin Jia and Zhiming Li
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(21), 4607; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9214607 - 29 Oct 2019
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2773
Abstract
Ignition position is an important factor affecting flame propagation and deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT). In this study, 2D reactive Navier–Stokes numerical studies have been performed to investigate the effects of ignition position on hot jet detonation initiation. Through the stages of hot jet formation, [...] Read more.
Ignition position is an important factor affecting flame propagation and deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT). In this study, 2D reactive Navier–Stokes numerical studies have been performed to investigate the effects of ignition position on hot jet detonation initiation. Through the stages of hot jet formation, vortex-flame interaction and detonation wave formation, the mechanism of the hot jet detonation initiation is analyzed in detail. The results indicate that the vortexes formed by hot jet entrain flame to increase the flame area rapidly, thus accelerating energy release and the formation of the detonation wave. With changing the ignition position from top to wall inside the hot jet tube, the faster velocity of hot jet will promote the vortex to entrain jet flame earlier, and the DDT time and distance will decrease. In addition, the effect of different wall ignition positions (from 0 mm to 150 mm away from top of hot jet tube) on DDT is also studied. When the ignition source is 30 mm away from the top of hot jet tube, the distance to initiate detonation wave is the shortest due to the highest jet intensity, the DDT time and distance are about 41.45% and 30.77% less than the top ignition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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16 pages, 3729 KiB  
Article
A Steam Ejector Refrigeration System Powered by Engine Combustion Waste Heat: Part 2. Understanding the Nature of the Shock Wave Structure
by Yu Han, Xiaodong Wang, Lixin Guo, Anthony Chun Yin Yuen, Hengrui Liu, Ruifeng Cao, Cheng Wang, Cuiling Li, Jiyuan Tu and Guan Heng Yeoh
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(20), 4435; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9204435 - 19 Oct 2019
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3040
Abstract
In general, engine fuel combustion generates 30% waste heat, which is disposed to the environment. The use of the steam ejector refrigeration to recycle the waste heat and transfer them to useful energy source could be an environmentally friendly solution to such an [...] Read more.
In general, engine fuel combustion generates 30% waste heat, which is disposed to the environment. The use of the steam ejector refrigeration to recycle the waste heat and transfer them to useful energy source could be an environmentally friendly solution to such an issue. The steam ejector is the main component of the ejector refrigeration system, which can operate at a low-temperature range. In this article, the internal shock wave structure of the ejector is comprehensively studied through the computation fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. The shock wave structure can be subdivided into two regions: firstly the pseudo-shock region consisting of shock train and co-velocity region; secondly the oblique-shock region composed of a single normal shock and a series of oblique shocks. The effect of the shock wave structure on both pumping performance and the critical back pressure were investigated. Numerical predictions indicated that the entrainment ratio is enhanced under two conditions including (i) a longer pseudo-shock region and (ii) when the normal shock wave occurs near the outlet. Furthermore, the system is stabilized as the back pressure and its disturbance is reduced. A critical range of the primary fluid pressure is investigated such that the pumping is effectively optimized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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20 pages, 4186 KiB  
Article
A Steam Ejector Refrigeration System Powered by Engine Combustion Waste Heat: Part 1. Characterization of the Internal Flow Structure
by Yu Han, Lixin Guo, Xiaodong Wang, Anthony Chun Yin Yuen, Cuiling Li, Ruifeng Cao, Hengrui Liu, Tim Bo Yuan Chen, Jiyuan Tu and Guan Heng Yeoh
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(20), 4275; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9204275 - 12 Oct 2019
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3432
Abstract
With the escalating production of automobiles, energy efficiency and environmental friendliness have always been a major concern in the automotive industry. In order to effectively lower the energy consumption of a vehicle, it is essential to develop air-conditioning systems that can make good [...] Read more.
With the escalating production of automobiles, energy efficiency and environmental friendliness have always been a major concern in the automotive industry. In order to effectively lower the energy consumption of a vehicle, it is essential to develop air-conditioning systems that can make good use of combustion waste heat. Ejector refrigeration systems have become increasingly popular for this purpose due to their energy efficiency and ability to recycle waste heat. In this article, the elements affecting the performance of a typical ejector refrigeration system have been explored using both experimental and numerical approaches. For the first time, the internal flow structure was characterized by means of comprehensive numerical simulations. In essence, three major sections of the steam ejector were investigated. Two energy processes and the shock-mixing layer were defined and analyzed. The results indicated that the length of the choking zone directly affects the entertainment ratio under different primary fluid temperature. The optimum enterainment ratio was achieved with 138 °C primary fluid temperature. The shock-mixing layer was greatly affected by secondary fluid temperature. With increasing of back pressure, the normal shock gradually shifted from the diffuser towards the throat, while the shock train length remains lunchanged. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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20 pages, 7508 KiB  
Article
Influence of Eddy-Generation Mechanism on the Characteristic of On-Source Fire Whirl
by Cheng Wang, Anthony Chun Yin Yuen, Qing Nian Chan, Timothy Bo Yuan Chen, Qian Chen, Ruifeng Cao, Ho Lung Yip, Sanghoon Kook and Guan Heng Yeoh
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(19), 3989; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9193989 - 24 Sep 2019
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2275
Abstract
This paper numerically examines the characterisation of fire whirl formulated under various entrainment conditions in an enclosed configuration. The numerical framework, integrating large eddy simulation and detailed chemistry, is constructed to assess the whirling flame behaviours. The proposed model constraints the convoluted coupling [...] Read more.
This paper numerically examines the characterisation of fire whirl formulated under various entrainment conditions in an enclosed configuration. The numerical framework, integrating large eddy simulation and detailed chemistry, is constructed to assess the whirling flame behaviours. The proposed model constraints the convoluted coupling effects, e.g., the interrelation between combustion, flow dynamics and radiative feedback, thus focuses on assessing the impact on flame structure and flow behaviour solely attribute to the eddy-generation mechanisms. The baseline model is validated well against the experimental data. The data of the comparison case, with the introduction of additional flow channelling slit, is subsequently generated for comparison. The result suggests that, with the intensified circulation, the generated fire whirl increased by 9.42 % in peak flame temperature, 84.38 % in visible flame height, 6.81 % in axial velocity, and 46.14 % in velocity dominant region. The fire whirl core radius of the comparison case was well constrained within all monitored heights, whereas that of the baseline tended to disperse at 0.5   m height-above-burner. This study demonstrates that amplified eddy generation via the additional flow channelling slit enhances the mixing of all reactant species and intensifies the combustion process, resulting in an elongated and converging whirling core of the reacting flow. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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15 pages, 6072 KiB  
Article
Simultaneous In-Cylinder Flow Measurement and Flame Imaging in a Realistic Operating Engine Environment Using High-Speed PIV
by Atsushi Nishiyama, Minh Khoi Le, Takashi Furui and Yuji Ikeda
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(13), 2678; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9132678 - 30 Jun 2019
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3659
Abstract
Among multiple factors that affect the quality of combustion, the intricate and complex interaction between in-cylinder flow/turbulent field and flame propagation is one of the most important. In this study, true simultaneous, crank-angle resolved imaging of the flame front propagation and the measurement [...] Read more.
Among multiple factors that affect the quality of combustion, the intricate and complex interaction between in-cylinder flow/turbulent field and flame propagation is one of the most important. In this study, true simultaneous, crank-angle resolved imaging of the flame front propagation and the measurement of flow-field was achieved by the application of high-speed Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The technique was successfully implemented to avoid problems commonly associated with PIV in a combustion environment, such as interferences and reflections, avoided thanks to a number of adjustments and arrangements. All experiments were carried out inside a single-cylinder optical gasoline engine operated at 1200 rpm, using port fuel injection (PFI) with stoichiometric mixtures. It was found that the global vortex location of the tumble motion heavily influences the flame growth direction as well as the flame shape, mainly due to the tumble-induced flow across the ignition source. The flame propagation also influences the flow-field such that the pre-ignition flow can be maintained and the flow of unburned region surrounding the flame front will be enhanced. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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15 pages, 5969 KiB  
Article
CO2 Emission of Electric and Gasoline Vehicles under Various Road Conditions for China, Japan, Europe and World Average—Prediction through Year 2040
by Xue Dong, Bin Wang, Ho Lung Yip and Qing Nian Chan
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(11), 2295; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9112295 - 04 Jun 2019
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5137
Abstract
Many countries are making strategic plans to replace conventional vehicles (CVs) with electric vehicles (EVs), with the motivation to curb the growth of atmospheric CO2 concentration. While previous publications have mainly employed social-economic based models to predict CO2 emission trends from [...] Read more.
Many countries are making strategic plans to replace conventional vehicles (CVs) with electric vehicles (EVs), with the motivation to curb the growth of atmospheric CO2 concentration. While previous publications have mainly employed social-economic based models to predict CO2 emission trends from vehicles over the years, they do not account for the dynamics of engine and motor efficiency under different driving conditions. Therefore, this study utilized an experimentally validated vehicle dynamic model to simulate the consumption of gasoline and electricity for CVs and EVs, respectively, under eight driving cycles for different countries/regions. The CO2 emissions of CVs and EVs through 2040 were then calculated, based on the assumptions of the improvement of engine efficiency and composition of power supply chain over the years. Results reveal that, assuming that the current projections and assumptions remain valid, China would have the highest CO2 emission for EVs, followed by Japan, world average and the EU, mainly determined by the share of fossil fuels in the power grid. As for the influence of road conditions, the CO2 emission of CVs was found to be always higher than that of EVs for all countries/regions over the years. The difference is around 10–20% under highway conditions, and as high as 50–60% in crowded urban driving conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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14 pages, 5018 KiB  
Article
Mechanism of Combustion Noise Influenced by Pilot Injection in PPCI Diesel Engines
by Jingtao Du, Ximing Chen, Long Liu, Dai Liu and Xiuzhen Ma
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(9), 1875; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9091875 - 07 May 2019
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2947
Abstract
Pilot injection combined with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is usually utilized to realize the partially premixed compression ignition (PPCI) mode in diesel engines, which enables the simultaneous decrease of nitrogen oxide and soot emissions to satisfy emission regulations. Moreover, the ignition delay of [...] Read more.
Pilot injection combined with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is usually utilized to realize the partially premixed compression ignition (PPCI) mode in diesel engines, which enables the simultaneous decrease of nitrogen oxide and soot emissions to satisfy emission regulations. Moreover, the ignition delay of main injection combustion can also be shortened by pilot injection, and then combustion noise is reduced. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of pilot injection impacts on combustion noise are not completely understood. As such, it is hard to optimize pilot injection parameters to minimize combustion noise. Therefore, experiments were conducted on a four-stroke single-cylinder diesel engine with different pilot injection strategies and 20% EGR as part of an investigation into this relationship. Firstly, the combustion noise was analyzed by cylinder pressure levels (CPLs). Then, the stationary wavelet transforms (SWTs) and stationary wavelet packet transform (SWPT) were employed to decompose in-cylinder pressures at different scales, and thus the combustion noise generated by pilot and main combustion was investigated in both the time and frequency domain. The results show that pilot injection is dominant in the high frequency segment of combustion noise, and main injection has a major impact on combustion noise in the low and mid frequency segment. Finally, the effects of various pilot injection parameters on suppressing combustion noise were analyzed in detail. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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13 pages, 6274 KiB  
Article
The Relationship between In-Cylinder Flow-Field near Spark Plug Areas, the Spark Behavior, and the Combustion Performance inside an Optical S.I. Engine
by Atsushi Nishiyama, Minh Khoi Le, Takashi Furui and Yuji Ikeda
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(8), 1545; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9081545 - 14 Apr 2019
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4017
Abstract
The stringent regulations that were placed on gasoline vehicles demand significant improvement of the powertrain unit, not only to become cleaner but also more efficient. Therefore, there is a strong need to understand the complex in-cylinder processes that will have a direct effect [...] Read more.
The stringent regulations that were placed on gasoline vehicles demand significant improvement of the powertrain unit, not only to become cleaner but also more efficient. Therefore, there is a strong need to understand the complex in-cylinder processes that will have a direct effect on the combustion quality. This study applied multiple high-speed optical imaging to investigate the interaction between the in-cylinder flow, the spark, the flame, and combustion performance. These individual elements have been studied closely in the literature but the combined effect is not well understood. Simultaneous imaging of in-cylinder flow and flame tomography using high-speed Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), as well as simultaneous high-speed spark imaging, were applied to port-injected optical gasoline imaging. The captured images were processed using in-house MATLAB algorithms and the deduced data shows a trend that higher in-cylinder flow velocity near the spark will increase the stretch distance of the spark and decrease the ignition delay. However, these do not have much effect on the combustion duration, and it is the flow-field in the entire area surrounding the flame development that will influence how fast the combustion and flame growth will occur. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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12 pages, 5485 KiB  
Article
Effect of Different Acoustic Parameters on NOx Emissions of Partially Premixed Flame
by Kai Deng, Mingxiao Wang, Zhongliang Shen, Yanjun Hu and Yingjie Zhong
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(7), 1490; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9071490 - 10 Apr 2019
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3145
Abstract
The effects of acoustic frequency (f)/0–400 Hz and amplitude (A)/0–1400 Pa on nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions of a partially premixed flame were investigated experimentally. The mechanism of NOx emissions was analyzed by the evolution of the vortex, which was [...] Read more.
The effects of acoustic frequency (f)/0–400 Hz and amplitude (A)/0–1400 Pa on nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions of a partially premixed flame were investigated experimentally. The mechanism of NOx emissions was analyzed by the evolution of the vortex, which was shown by particle image velocimetry (PIV). From the relationship of NOx emission index (EINOx) and acoustic parameters, it was concluded that a critical frequency (fc) from 170 Hz to 190 Hz appeared. When the frequency was less than fc, EINOx decreased linearly with an increase in amplitude. The flame length became shorter, which led to a decrease in the global residence time, and hence, a reduction in reaction time for NOx. However, a direct proportional relationship between EINOx and amplitude was not found when the frequency was larger than fc. Based on PIV particle scattering images, with an increase of the acoustic frequency, the effects of the acoustic field on the flame base became less significant, but the flame length and reaction space of NOx were gradually increased. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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17 pages, 4041 KiB  
Article
Computational Study of Wet Steam Flow to Optimize Steam Ejector Efficiency for Potential Fire Suppression Application
by Ao Li, Anthony Chun Yin Yuen, Timothy Bo Yuan Chen, Cheng Wang, Hengrui Liu, Ruifeng Cao, Wei Yang, Guan Heng Yeoh and Victoria Timchenko
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(7), 1486; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9071486 - 09 Apr 2019
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 4936
Abstract
The steam ejector is a core component of an ejector-based refrigeration system. Additionally, steam ejectors can also be potentially applied for a fire suppression system by using pressurized steam droplets to rapidly quench and extinguish the fire. The use of steam will significantly [...] Read more.
The steam ejector is a core component of an ejector-based refrigeration system. Additionally, steam ejectors can also be potentially applied for a fire suppression system by using pressurized steam droplets to rapidly quench and extinguish the fire. The use of steam will significantly reduce the amount of water consumption and pipe flow rate compared to conventional sprinklers. However, the efficiency of the steam ejector nozzle is one of major factors that can influence the extinguishing mechanisms and the performance of pressurized steam for fire suppression. In this article, to formulate an assessment tool for studying the ideal entrainment ratio and initial flow wetness, a wet steam model has been proposed to enhance our understanding of the condensation and evaporation effects of water droplets from a numerical perspective. The entire steam-ejector system including the nozzle, mixing chamber, throat and diffuser were modeled to study the profiles in axial pressure and temperature across the system, and were compared with self-measured experimental data. In addition, the flow and heat transfer interactions between the fluid mixture and nucleating water droplets were numerically examined by comparing initial conditions with different liquid fractions, as opposed to the ideal gas assumption. With the application of the proposed wet-steam model, the numerical model showed vast improvement in the axial pressure distribution over the ideal gas model. Through numerical conditions, it was found that reducing the wetness of the secondary inlet flow will potentially optimize the system performance with a significant increase of the entrainment ratio from 0.38 to 0.47 (i.e., improvement of around 23%). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

20 pages, 763 KiB  
Review
Review of Advancement in Variable Valve Actuation of Internal Combustion Engines
by Zheng Lou and Guoming Zhu
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(4), 1216; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10041216 - 11 Feb 2020
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 9267
Abstract
The increasing concerns of air pollution and energy usage led to the electrification of the vehicle powertrain system in recent years. On the other hand, internal combustion engines were the dominant vehicle power source for more than a century, and they will continue [...] Read more.
The increasing concerns of air pollution and energy usage led to the electrification of the vehicle powertrain system in recent years. On the other hand, internal combustion engines were the dominant vehicle power source for more than a century, and they will continue to be used in most vehicles for decades to come; thus, it is necessary to employ advanced technologies to replace traditional mechanical systems with mechatronic systems to meet the ever-increasing demand of continuously improving engine efficiency with reduced emissions, where engine intake and the exhaust valve system represent key subsystems that affect the engine combustion efficiency and emissions. This paper reviews variable engine valve systems, including hydraulic and electrical variable valve timing systems, hydraulic multistep lift systems, continuously variable lift and timing valve systems, lost-motion systems, and electro-magnetic, electro-hydraulic, and electro-pneumatic variable valve actuation systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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30 pages, 2734 KiB  
Review
A Review of Hydrogen Direct Injection for Internal Combustion Engines: Towards Carbon-Free Combustion
by Ho Lung Yip, Aleš Srna, Anthony Chun Yin Yuen, Sanghoon Kook, Robert A. Taylor, Guan Heng Yeoh, Paul R. Medwell and Qing Nian Chan
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(22), 4842; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9224842 - 12 Nov 2019
Cited by 207 | Viewed by 28565
Abstract
A paradigm shift towards the utilization of carbon-neutral and low emission fuels is necessary in the internal combustion engine industry to fulfil the carbon emission goals and future legislation requirements in many countries. Hydrogen as an energy carrier and main fuel is a [...] Read more.
A paradigm shift towards the utilization of carbon-neutral and low emission fuels is necessary in the internal combustion engine industry to fulfil the carbon emission goals and future legislation requirements in many countries. Hydrogen as an energy carrier and main fuel is a promising option due to its carbon-free content, wide flammability limits and fast flame speeds. For spark-ignited internal combustion engines, utilizing hydrogen direct injection has been proven to achieve high engine power output and efficiency with low emissions. This review provides an overview of the current development and understanding of hydrogen use in internal combustion engines that are usually spark ignited, under various engine operation modes and strategies. This paper then proceeds to outline the gaps in current knowledge, along with better potential strategies and technologies that could be adopted for hydrogen direct injection in the context of compression-ignition engine applications—topics that have not yet been extensively explored to date with hydrogen but have shown advantages with compressed natural gas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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21 pages, 8308 KiB  
Review
Numerical Investigations of Micro-Scale Diffusion Combustion: A Brief Review
by P. R. Resende, Mohsen Ayoobi and Alexandre M. Afonso
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(16), 3356; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9163356 - 15 Aug 2019
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3746
Abstract
With the increasing global concerns about the impacts of byproducts from the combustion of fossil fuels, researchers have made significant progress in seeking alternative fuels that have cleaner combustion characteristics. Such fuels are most suitable for addressing the increasing demands on combustion-based micro [...] Read more.
With the increasing global concerns about the impacts of byproducts from the combustion of fossil fuels, researchers have made significant progress in seeking alternative fuels that have cleaner combustion characteristics. Such fuels are most suitable for addressing the increasing demands on combustion-based micro power generation systems due to their prominently higher energy density as compared to other energy resources such as batteries. This cultivates a great opportunity to develop portable power devices, which can be utilized in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), micro satellite thrusters or micro chemical reactors and sensors. However, combustion at small scales—whether premixed or non-premixed (diffusion)—has its own challenges as the interplay of various physical phenomena needs to be understood comprehensively. This paper reviews the scientific progress that researchers have made over the past couple of decades for the numerical investigations of diffusion flames at micro scales. Specifically, the objective of this review is to provide insights on different numerical approaches in analyzing diffusion combustion at micro scales, where the importance of operating conditions, critical parameters and the conjugate heat transfer/heat re-circulation have been extensively analyzed. Comparing simulation results with experimental data, numerical approaches have been shown to perform differently in different conditions and careful consideration should be given to the selection of the numerical models depending on the specifics of the cases that are being modeled. Varying different parameters such as fuel type and mixture, inlet velocity, wall conductivity, and so forth, researchers have shown that at micro scales, diffusion combustion characteristics and flame dynamics are critically sensitive to the operating conditions, that is, it is possible to alter the flammability limits, control the flame stability/instability or change other flame characteristics such as flame shape and height, flame temperature, and so forth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology)
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