A Practical Recuperated Split Cycle Engine for Low Emissions and High Efficiency 2019-24-0190
The Recuperated Split Cycle Engine is a new type of ICE, offering a step change in efficiency and tailpipe emissions. It targets the heavy duty, long-haul sector (trucks, off-highway, rail, shipping), where electrification is most challenging, and distributed generation, where capacity is required to support rising electrification. The engine separates cold (induction, compression) and hot (combustion, expansion) parts of the cycle; waste exhaust heat is recovered between them via a recuperator, as in a recuperated gas turbine. Recent research presented at this conference [1] shows that the sonic airflows seen in the induction event give rise to extraordinary fuel mixing and clean, cool combustion, with potential for after-treated emission levels between SULEV and zero-impact (either unmeasurable or below ambient). Recuperation and thermal insulation of the hot cylinder (both feasible within the capability of common materials) also enable high thermal efficiency, with a flatter efficiency map than a conventional ICE. Combining the two attributes, and introducing sustainable fuels, places this readily manufactured, affordable technology on a par with battery-electric and fuel cell propulsion. Results from simulation to optimise the concept are described. A Ricardo WAVE model was built, with validation of key inputs such as valve breathing, heat transfer and burn-rates from relevant experimental research data. The model was used to develop the cycle around three concepts - a basic layout, “ThermoPower”, was shown to be capable of over 10% fuel saving; “Wet ThermoPower” uses water injection as a compression coolant for greater efficiency, while the ultimate “CryoPower” injects Liquid Nitrogen for quasi-isothermal compression and charge dilution. The optimisation process and practical details are described, especially the development of the critical recuperator, which is subjected to high pressure and temperature; management of its thermal expansion and manufacturing process have been optimised to minimise add-cost over a current ICE bill of materials.
Citation: Owen, N., Treccarichi, F., Atkins, A., Selvaraj, A. et al., "A Practical Recuperated Split Cycle Engine for Low Emissions and High Efficiency," SAE Technical Paper 2019-24-0190, 2019, https://doi.org/10.4271/2019-24-0190. Download Citation
Author(s):
Nicholas Owen, Fabrizio Treccarichi, Andrew Atkins, Anoop Selvaraj, David Barnes, Tanzi Besant, Robert Morgan
Affiliated:
Dolphin N2 Ltd, Ricardo UK Ltd, Hiflux Limited, Univ of Brighton
Pages: 14
Event:
14th International Conference on Engines & Vehicles
ISSN:
0148-7191
e-ISSN:
2688-3627
Related Topics:
Low emission vehicles (LEV) and zero emission vehicles (ZEV)
Gas turbines
Heat transfer
Fuel cells
Combustion and combustion processes
Manufacturing processes
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