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Previous research in our laboratory has shown that NOx emissions can be sharply reduced by PREDIC (PRE-mixed lean DIesel Combustion), in which fuel is injected very early in the compression process. However some points of concern remained unsolved, such as a large increase in THC and CO, higher fuel consumption, and an operating region narrowly limited to partial loads, compared to conventional diesel operation. In this paper, the causes of PREDIC's problem areas were analyzed through engine performance tests and combustion observation with a single cylinder engine, through fuel spray observation with a high-pressure vessel, and through numerical modeling. Subsequently, measurable improvements were achieved on the basis of these analyses. As a result, the ignition and combustion processes were clarified in terms of PREDIC fuel-air mixture formation. Thus, THC and CO emissions could be decreased by adopting a pintle type injection nozzle, or a reduced top-land-crevice piston.

Thermodynamic characteristics of premixed compression ignition combustions were clarified quantitatively by heat balance estimation. Heat balance was calculated from temperature, mole fractions of intake and exhaust gases, mass and properties of fuels. Heat balance estimation was conducted for three types of combustion; a conventional diesel combustion, a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion; fuel is provided and mixed with air in an intake pipe in this case, and an extremely early injection type PREmixed lean DIesel Combustion (PREDIC). The results show that EGR should be applied for premixed compression ignition combustion to complete combustion at lower load conditions and to control ignition timing at higher load conditions. With an application of EGR, both HCCI and PREDIC showed low heat loss characteristics at lower load conditions up to 1/2 load.