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Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition, HCCI, has the attractive feature of low particulate and low NOx emission combined with high efficiency. The principle is a combination of an Otto and a Diesel engine in that a premixed charge is ignited by the compression heat. One of the main challenges with the HCCI combustion system is to control the combustion timing/phasing for varying load and external conditions. A method to achieve this on a cycle-by-cycle basis is to vary the valve timing based on a feedback signal from the combustion timing of previous cycles. A combined engine and control simulation is performed. The simulations are accomplished with a commercial cycle simulation code linked with a commercial control simulation code. The simulations are iteratively verified against engine test data. Engine tests are conducted on a single cylinder engine equipped with at hydraulic valve system that allows a high degree of freedom in choosing the valve timings.

The Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) is the third alternative for combustion in the Internal Combustion (IC) engines. Here, a homogeneous charge is used as in a spark ignited engine but the charge is compressed to auto-ignition as in a diesel. The characteristics of HCCI were compared to SI using a 1.6 liter single cylinder engine with compression ratio 21:1 in HCCI mode and 12:1 in SI mode. Three different fuels were used; isooctane, ethanol and natural gas. Some remarkable results were noted in the experiments: The indicated efficiency of HCCI was much better than for SI operation. Very little NOx was generated with HCCI, eliminating the need for a LeanNOx catalyst. However, HCCI generated more HC and CO than SI operation. Stable and efficient operation with HCCI could be obtained with λ=3 to λ=9 using isooctane or ethanol. Natural gas, with a higher octane number, required a richer mixture to run in HCCI mode.

One of the main challenges with the Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition, HCCI, combustion system is to control the Start Of Combustion, SOC, for varying load and external conditions. A method to achieve this on a cycle-by-cycle basis is to vary the valve timing based on a feedback signal from the SOC of previous cycles. The control can be achieved with two basic valve-timing strategies named the Overlap- and the IVC-method. The Overlap-method works by trapping of residuals while the IVC-method affects the effective compression ratio. In an earlier paper it has been shown that if the two methods are incorporated into one controller, SOC can be controlled in a relatively large operating window although the transient performance was not sufficient. The reason is that a simple PI-controller cannot be made fast enough to cope with the transients without magnifying the cycle-to-cycle variations of the combustion into instability.

One of the main challenges with the Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition, HCCI, combustion system is to control the Start Of Combustion, SOC, for varying load and external conditions. A method to achieve this on a cycle-by-cycle basis is to vary the valve timing based on a feedback signal from the SOC of previous cycles. The control can be achieved with two basic valve-timing strategies named the Overlap- and the IVC-method. The Overlap-method works by trapping of residuals while the IVC-method affects the effective compression ratio. In an earlier paper it has been shown that if the two methods are incorporated into one controller, SOC can be controlled in a relatively large operating window although the transient performance was not sufficient. The reason is that the simple PI-controller cannot be made fast enough to cope with the transients without magnifying the cycle-to-cycle variations of the combustion into instability.

In an attempt to extend the upper load limit for Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI), supercharging in combination with Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) have been applied. Two different boost pressures were used, 1.1 bar and 1.5 bar. High EGR rates were used in order to reduce the combustion rate. The highest obtained IMEP was 16 bar. This was achieved with the higher boost pressure, at close to stoichiometric conditions and with approximately 50 % EGR. Natural gas was used as the main fuel. In the case with the higher boost pressure, iso-octane was used as pilot fuel, to improve the ignition properties of the mixture. This made it possible to use a lower compression ratio and thereby reducing the maximum cylinder pressure. The tests were performed on a single cylinder engine operated at low speed (1000 rpm). The test engine was equipped with a modified cylinder head, having a Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) mechanism.

The potential of a Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engine with variable compression ratio has been experimentally investigated. The experiments were carried out in a single cylinder engine, equipped with a modified cylinder head. Altering the position of a secondary piston in the cylinder head enabled a change of the compression ratio. The secondary piston was controlled by a hydraulic system, which was operated from the control room. Dual port injection systems were used, which made it possible to change the ratio of two different fuels with the engine running. By mixing iso-octane with octane number 100 and normal heptane with octane number 0, it was possible to obtain any octane rating between 0 and 100. By using an electrical heater for the inlet air, it was possible to adjust the inlet air temperature to a selected value.