Energies

Research

31 pages, 12040 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Research into a Two-Stage Filtration System of Inlet Air to the Internal Combustion Engine of a Motor Vehicle

by Tadeusz Dziubak

Energies 2024, 17(24), 6295; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17246295 - 13 Dec 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 885

The necessity of using two-stage (multicyclone–partition) inlet air filters for engines of motor vehicles operated in dusty air conditions is demonstrated. Due to the lack of information in the literature on the description of the air filtration process in the two-stage system (multicyclone–partition), [...] Read more.

The necessity of using two-stage (multicyclone–partition) inlet air filters for engines of motor vehicles operated in dusty air conditions is demonstrated. Due to the lack of information in the literature on the description of the air filtration process in the two-stage system (multicyclone–partition), its experimental tests were performed. Due to the high cost of testing the original two-stage air filter, the original test methodology of testing a single cyclone and a paper filter with an appropriately sized surface was used. When testing the assembly (cyclone–paper filter), conditions similar to the actual operating conditions of a two-stage air filter were used, including the filtration speed in the paper filter, the dust concentration in the inlet air, and the cyclone inlet speed. The characteristics of various filter baffles with appropriately sized surface area operating in three filter assemblies, the “cyclone–test filter”, and without a cyclone were determined depending on the mass of dust supplied to the assembly or directly to the filter. Experimental tests showed the existence of an initial (short) filtration period, which was characterized by low values of filtration efficiency well below the required level of 99.9%. This phenomenon occurred regardless of whether the paper filter was operated directly after the cyclone or without the cyclone. However, with the mass of dust delivered to the filter, the efficiency and precision increase and in a short time achieve the required values, which are maintained for the rest of the filter’s operation. The air behind the paper filter contained dust grains of 10–25 µm with the required 2–5 µm. The increase in the pressure drop was lower for the paper filter operating in an assembly (cyclone–paper filter). Therefore, the operating time of the unit (cyclone–paper filter) to reach the permissible flow resistance value was four times longer than that of the paper filter, as could be demonstrated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Internal Combustion Engines: Latest Advances and Trends towards Environment Neutrality)

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17 pages, 10625 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diesel Engine Turbocharger Monitoring by Processing Accelerometric Signals through Empirical Mode Decomposition and Independent Component Analysis

by Ornella Chiavola, Fulvio Palmieri, Gabriele Bocchetta, Giorgia Fiori and Andrea Scorza

Energies 2024, 17(17), 4293; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17174293 - 28 Aug 2024

Viewed by 865

Abstract

In this study, a method for the monitoring of internal combustion engine operation by vibration signals is proposed. The work falls within the context of the increasingly stringent standards relating to the environmental impact of engines and the development of monitoring and control [...] Read more.

In this study, a method for the monitoring of internal combustion engine operation by vibration signals is proposed. The work falls within the context of the increasingly stringent standards relating to the environmental impact of engines and the development of monitoring and control techniques to ensure increased engine performance as well as fuel saving and reduction of pollutant emissions. Experimentation was performed on a turbocharged light-duty compression ignition direct-injection engine. Two monoaxial accelerometers were installed on the engine compressor case, the speed of which has been demonstrated to be closely related to the engine operation. Vibration measurements of the engine compressor case have been processed by combining the Empirical Mode Decomposition technique with Independent Component Analysis and Short Time Fourier Transform to indirectly estimate the turbocharger speed. The obtained traces have been compared to the direct turbocharger velocity measures during the stationary running of the engine (speed and load conditions varied in the complete engine’s range of operation). The results point out the potentiality of the methodology in algorithms devoted to identifying modifications of the combustion development regarding regular operation via indirect turbocharger speed monitoring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Internal Combustion Engines: Latest Advances and Trends towards Environment Neutrality)

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25 pages, 4294 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Approach to Analyzing Friction Losses by Modeling the Microflow of Lubricating Oil between the Piston Rings and Cylinder in Internal Combustion Engines

by Piotr Wróblewski and Stanisław Kachel

Energies 2024, 17(15), 3697; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17153697 - 26 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1113

Abstract

This work focuses on the evolution of lubrication wedge shaping in internal combustion piston engines, taking into account liquid microflows on curved surfaces and coating microgeometries. It introduces a new approach to the analysis of friction losses by simulating the microflow of lubricating [...] Read more.

This work focuses on the evolution of lubrication wedge shaping in internal combustion piston engines, taking into account liquid microflows on curved surfaces and coating microgeometries. It introduces a new approach to the analysis of friction losses by simulating the microflow of lubricating oil between the surfaces of piston rings cooperating with the cylinder surface. The models used take into account three types of microgeometry and material expansion. Key results indicate that microirregularities with a stereometry of 0.1–0.2 µm significantly influence the distribution of oil film thickness in the phase of maximum working pressure, which is critical for the functioning of the seal ring. The innovation of the work consists of demonstrating that, despite small changes in the friction force and power in the piston rings, changes in the minimum values of the oil film thickness are significant. The work highlights the failure to take into account microgeometry parameters in friction models, which leads to significant errors in the simulation results, especially in terms of oil film continuity and the contribution of mixed friction. The simulations also indicate that advanced geometric models with high mesh resolution are necessary only for the assessment of changes in oil film thickness during the highest pressure increase in the combustion chamber and taking into account various mixed friction conditions. The results suggest significant progress in engine design and performance, confirming the importance of advanced fluid and mixed friction models in piston engine lubrication research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Internal Combustion Engines: Latest Advances and Trends towards Environment Neutrality)

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21 pages, 3794 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling and Prediction of Carbon Monoxide during the Start-Up in ICE through VARX Regression

by Alejandro Garcia-Basurto, Angel Perez-Cruz, Aurelio Dominguez-Gonzalez and Juan J. Saucedo-Dorantes

Energies 2024, 17(11), 2493; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17112493 - 22 May 2024

Viewed by 1103

Abstract

In a global society that is increasingly interrelated and focused on mobility, carbon monoxide emissions derived from internal combustion vehicles remain the most important factor that must be addressed to improve environmental quality. Certainly, air pollution generated by internal combustion engines threatens human [...] Read more.

In a global society that is increasingly interrelated and focused on mobility, carbon monoxide emissions derived from internal combustion vehicles remain the most important factor that must be addressed to improve environmental quality. Certainly, air pollution generated by internal combustion engines threatens human health and the well-being of the planet. In this regard, this paper aims to address the urgent need to understand and face the CO emissions produced by internal combustion vehicles; therefore, this work proposes a mathematical model based on Auto-Regressive Exogenous that predicts the CO percentages produced by an internal combustion engine during its start-up. The main goal is to establish a strategy for diagnosing excessive CO emissions caused by changes in the engine temperature. The proposed CO emissions modeling is evaluated under a real dataset obtained from experiments, and the obtained results make the proposed method suitable for being implemented as a novel diagnosis tool in automotive maintenance programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Internal Combustion Engines: Latest Advances and Trends towards Environment Neutrality)

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39 pages, 15196 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Experimental Testing of Filter Materials for Two-Stage Inlet Air Systems of Internal Combustion Engines

by Tadeusz Dziubak

Energies 2024, 17(11), 2462; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17112462 - 21 May 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1603

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental study of the effect of the mass of dust retained on a fibrous filter bed operating singly and in a “cyclone-filter-bed” system on changes in filtration efficiency and accuracy, as well as the increase in flow resistance. The [...] Read more.

This paper presents an experimental study of the effect of the mass of dust retained on a fibrous filter bed operating singly and in a “cyclone-filter-bed” system on changes in filtration efficiency and accuracy, as well as the increase in flow resistance. The research was carried out using a novel and unprecedented method, determining the dust absorption coefficient km of the filter baffle under laboratory conditions. A filtration system built of a single cyclone and a cylindrical filter cartridge with an appropriately sized surface set behind it was studied. Conditions corresponding to the actual operating conditions of the air filter were maintained: dust concentration, filtration speed and dust extraction from the cyclone settling tank. The purpose of the research was to evaluate filter materials with different structures in terms of filtration efficiency and accuracy, as well as flow resistance. The study showed that the parameters of the structure of filter materials—permeability, grammage and thickness—affect the process of retaining dust particles. It was shown that the increase in the flow resistance of the filter bed has a higher intensity when dust grains of small sizes are directed at it, which is the case when the bed is operated behind a cyclone, which separates larger dust grains from the air. There is a reduction in the operating time of the filtration system due to the limitation of the permissible resistance ∆p_fdop, and the corresponding dust absorption k_m has a lower value. For a fixed value of the flow resistance, the dust absorption coefficient k_m₂ of three different filtration baffles AC, B2, and B, working with a cyclone, take values 50–100% smaller than when working in a single-stage system. It has been shown that the “cyclone-filter baffle” unit, due to its greater dust separation capability, allows the filter cartridge to operate for a longer time until a certain flow resistance is reached. This allows the unit to operate longer at lower flow resistance without changing the filter cartridge, thus saving energy. The k_m values obtained during the tests, using the proposed original method, allow the selection of the filter bed for specific vehicle operating conditions by modelling its course. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Internal Combustion Engines: Latest Advances and Trends towards Environment Neutrality)

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12 pages, 4535 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics of High-Pressure Injection Pump Operated with Renewable Fuel for Diesel Engines

by Ornella Chiavola, Fulvio Palmieri and Francesco Verdoliva

Energies 2024, 17(7), 1656; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17071656 - 29 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1512

Abstract

The use of renewable fuels for internal combustion engines marks a significant stride towards sustainability in transportation and power generation. Ensuring the compatibility of these fuels with existing diesel engines and infrastructure is paramount for a smooth transition. Diesel engines capable of harnessing [...] Read more.

The use of renewable fuels for internal combustion engines marks a significant stride towards sustainability in transportation and power generation. Ensuring the compatibility of these fuels with existing diesel engines and infrastructure is paramount for a smooth transition. Diesel engines capable of harnessing the advantages of alternative fuels without extensive modifications offer a pragmatic approach to sustainable power for vehicles and industries. This article investigates the impact of carbon-neutral renewable fuel types (hydrogenated vegetable oils, or HVOs, and biodiesel) on the operation of a high-pressure injection pump, focusing on rotational speed and delivery pressure as key parameters. Our investigation, based on pump operating cycle analysis and volumetric efficiency measurements, aimed to investigate to what extent shaft speed and fuel type influence pump performance. Hydrogenated carbon-neutral fluids (HVOs) demonstrate adequate hydraulic capabilities compared to conventional fossil fuels. The findings underscore that while the fluids under consideration vary in viscosity and compressibility modulus, it is the compressibility modulus that predominantly affects the pump’s operation cycle. Diesel (fossil) fluid exhibits intermediate characteristics compared to hydrogenated fossil diesel fluids and biodiesel. The differences in terms of volumetric efficiency are finally reported, showing that hydrogenated carbon-neutral fluids do not significantly hinder the pump’s flow rate transfer capability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Internal Combustion Engines: Latest Advances and Trends towards Environment Neutrality)

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24 pages, 8576 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multi-Criteria Analysis of Semi-Trucks with Conventional and Eco-Drives on the EU Market

by Janusz Chojnowski and Tadeusz Dziubak

Energies 2024, 17(5), 1018; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17051018 - 21 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1835

Abstract

The research provides a comparative theoretical investigation of the operational characteristics of an electric semi-truck and vehicles powered by conventional combustion engines using diesel fuel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), and methane (including biomethane) in the dual fuel configuration. The Volvo tractor units that [...] Read more.

The research provides a comparative theoretical investigation of the operational characteristics of an electric semi-truck and vehicles powered by conventional combustion engines using diesel fuel, hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), and methane (including biomethane) in the dual fuel configuration. The Volvo tractor units that are offered for retail in 2024, namely the Volvo FH Electric, Volvo FH500 in dual fuel configuration, and Volvo FH500TC Diesel Euro VI, were chosen for comparison. The considerations encompassed include the road tractor’s mass, energy usage, power-to-weight ratio, dynamics, ability to recharge or refuel, payload restrictions, impact on logistics expenses, compliance with regulations on drivers’ working hours, and a report on carbon dioxide emissions. The study concludes by discussing and drawing conclusions on the competitiveness of different drive types in truck tractors, specifically in relation to identifying the most suitable areas of application. Synthetic conclusions demonstrate the high effectiveness of the electric drive in urban and suburban conditions. However, vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines using renewable fuels fill the gap in energy-intensive drives in long-distance transport. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Internal Combustion Engines: Latest Advances and Trends towards Environment Neutrality)

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25 pages, 4694 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Modelling Internal Leakage in the Automatic Transmission Electro-Hydraulic Controller, Taking into Account Operating Conditions

by Tadeusz Dziubak and Paweł Szczepaniak

Energies 2023, 16(22), 7667; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16227667 - 20 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1337

Abstract

The basic malfunction of automatic transmissions (ATs) is oil flow through hydraulic precision pair clearances called an “internal leakage”, leading to difficulties in controlling the AT. There are no sufficiently accurate methods for assessing the impact of “internal leakage” on the AT technical [...] Read more.

The basic malfunction of automatic transmissions (ATs) is oil flow through hydraulic precision pair clearances called an “internal leakage”, leading to difficulties in controlling the AT. There are no sufficiently accurate methods for assessing the impact of “internal leakage” on the AT technical condition in the course of operation. A proprietary hydraulic precision pair internal leak flow model has been proposed in the paper. The novelty of the model is applying electro-hydraulic controller precision pair clearance values as data that was determined through measurements involving an actual object with a specific AT operation period. The authors conduct variant tests of the model to determine the total AT hydraulic system controller leakage. Reduced oil viscosity (approx. 20%) results in internal leakage increasing by 25%. Significant wear of the controller’s precision pair and increased oil temperature (above 80 °C) lead to internal leakage increasing by more than 50% and oil pressure decreasing below the permissible value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Internal Combustion Engines: Latest Advances and Trends towards Environment Neutrality)

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