Case Studies in Thermal Engineering (Jul 2024)
Effect of key structure parameters of passive pre-chamber on in-cylinder combustion processes and emissions within a gasoline engine
Abstract
Due to increasingly strict global emission regulations and energy conservation policies, gasoline engines are facing significant challenges. Achieving high efficiency and ultra-low emissions in gasoline engines has become a critical technical challenge that requires attention. Pre-chamber (PC) Turbulent Jet Ignition (TJI) is a highly promising technology for improving thermal efficiency and reducing emissions in gasoline engines. This study employs a three-dimensional flow simulation analysis combined with a detailed chemical reaction mechanism. The investigation is based on eight distinct passive PC structural configurations. The effects of various structural parameters, including the orifice number (ON), orifice axis angle (OAA), orifice diameter (OD), and volume ratio (VR), on the in-cylinder combustion process and emission characteristics are investigated, in which the formation of the fire nucleus and the propagation of the flame are intensively involved. The investigation is conducted under equivalence ratio working condition. Among these, the ITE of the best configuration is relatively 5.46% higher than the baseline engine. The combustion duration decreased by 55.95% to 7.4 °CA compared to the baseline engine, while particulate soot emissions also decreased by 51.22%.