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Abstract Composite ceramic brake discs are made of ceramic material reinforced with carbon fibers and offer exceptional advantages that translate directly into higher vehicle performance. In the case of an electric vehicle, it could increase the range of the vehicle, and in the case of conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, it means lower fuel consumption (and consequently lower CO2 emissions). These discs are typically characterized by complex internal geometries, further complicated by the presence of drilling holes on both friction surfaces. To estimate the aerothermal performance of these discs, and for the thermal management of the vehicle, a reliable model for predicting the air flowing across the disc channels is needed. In this study, a real carbon-ceramic brake disc with drilling holes was investigated in a dedicated test rig simulating the wheel corner flow conditions experimentally using the particle image velocimetry technique and numerically.

Abstract This article presents an investigation of energy transfer, flame propagation, and emissions formation mechanisms in a four-cylinder, downsized and boosted, spark ignition engine fuelled by either directly injected compressed natural gas (DI CNG) or gasoline (GDI). Three different charge preparation strategies are examined for both fuels: stoichiometric engine operation without external dilution, stoichiometric operation with external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and lean burn. In this work, experiments and engine modelling are first used to analyze the energy transfer throughout the engine system. This analysis shows that an early start of fuel injection (SOI) improves fuel efficiency through lower unburned fuel energy at low loads with stoichiometric DI CNG operation.

Abstract The article compares the accuracy of different exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) correction factor models under engine conditions. The effect of EGR on the laminar burning velocity of a EURO VI E10 specification gasoline (10% Ethanol content by volume) has been back calculated from engine pressure trace data, using the Leeds University Spark Ignition Engine Data Analysis (LUSIEDA) reverse thermodynamic code. The engine pressure data ranges from 5% to 25% EGR (by mass) with the running conditions, such as spark advance and pressure at intake valve closure, changed to maintain a constant engine load of 0.79 MPa gross mean effective pressure (GMEP). Based on the experimental data, a correlation is suggested on how the laminar burning velocity reduces with increasing EGR mass fraction.

Abstract Stratified lean combustion has proven to be a promising approach for further increasing the thermal efficiency of gasoline direct injection engines in low load conditions. In this work, a new injection strategy for stratified operation mode is introduced. A side and a central-mounted solenoid multi-hole injector are simultaneously operated in a single-cylinder engine. Thermodynamic investigations show that this concept leads to improved stability, faster combustion, reduced particle number emissions, and lower fuel consumption levels compared to using only one injector. Experiments at an optical engine and three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations explain the improvements by a more compact mixture and reduced piston wetting with two injectors. Finally, the application of external EGR in combination with the above concept allows NOx emissions to be effectively kept at a low level while maintaining a stable operation.

Abstract Realizing the potential of the gasoline direct injection (GDI) concept lies in effectively stratifying the charge at different engine operating conditions. This is generally obtained by properly directing the air and fuel through carefully oriented intake port(s) and fuel spray and appropriately changing injection parameters. However, robust methods of charge stratification are essential to extend the lean operating range, particularly in small GDI engines. In this work, a novel piston shape was developed for a 200 cm3, single-cylinder, four-stroke gasoline engine to attain charge stratification. Stratification of charge is achieved even when the fuel was injected early in the intake stroke by a specially shaped wedge on the piston crown that produced twin vortices during compression and physically separated the charge into two sides in the combustion chamber.

Abstract Emission Control has always been a major concern in each and every field. An increase in emissions leads to climate change, global warming, and even various diseases. The transportation system is responsible for around 30% of emission production, of which 70% of the total atmospheric burden comes from automobiles. Recently developed emission-free electric vehicles have positively affected the levels of impurity in the environment, yet the remaining Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles on the road have been left with unchecked emissions. Traditional Catalytic Converters are widely used to reduce the emissions of vehicles. It works on the principle of converting hazardous gases emitted from the engine to less harmful carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2), and water (H2O). It is integrated with the exhaust of the engine. High efficiency and better emission control catalytic converters are still major milestones to achieve for automotive industries.

Abstract Considering the biodiesel composition, blend percentage, and temperature as input variables in the models to predict biodiesel-diesel blends’ properties is imperative. However, there are no models available in the literature to predict the properties of biodiesel-diesel blends that consider all these variables. The accuracy of spray and combustion models for diesel engines depends on the accuracy at which the fuel properties are estimated. Thus, straightforward approaches to accurately predict the properties of biodiesel-diesel blends are required. A novel reference property-based approach is proposed in the present work to predict the biodiesel-diesel blends’ properties to address this research gap. Models available in the literature correlating the properties of interest to fuel temperature were modified by including a reference property measured at 293 K.

Abstract Gasoline particulate filters (GPFs) are important aftertreatment components that enable gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines to meet European Union (EU) 6 and China 6 particulate number emissions regulations for nonvolatile particles greater than 23 nm in diameter. GPFs are rapidly becoming an integral part of the modern GDI aftertreatment system. The Active Exhaust Tuning (EXTUN) Valve is a butterfly valve placed in the tailpipe of an exhaust system that can be electronically positioned to control exhaust noise levels (decibels) under various vehicle operating conditions. This device is positioned downstream of the GPF, and variations in the tuning valve position can impact exhaust backpressures, making it difficult to monitor soot/ash accumulation or detect damage/removal of the GPF substrate. The purpose of this work is to present a unique example of subsystem control and diagnostic architecture for an exhaust system combining GPF and EXTUN.

Abstract While the hot debate keeps going about whether the internal combustion engine (ICE) will die or not, the ICE community never stopped improving the technologies that improve the fuel economy and reduce harmful emissions. Focusing on the emissions and the control system, this article reviewed the latest improvement and advances of related technologies. By firstly introducing the noteworthy emissions from ICE, this work then summarized the evolution of the related emission regulations on both light-duty and high-duty vehicles in a few major market regions. The key technologies that applied or are still under development for both carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM)/particle number (PN) emissions control were reviewed in detail. Lastly, the foreseeable regulations limits and the potential challenges were discussed briefly.

Abstract Cycle-by-cycle combustion prediction in real time during engine operation can serve as a vital input for operating at optimal performance conditions and for emission control. In this work, a real-time capable physics-based combustion model has been proposed for the prediction of the heat release rate in a direct injection diesel engine. The model extends the approaches proposed earlier in the literature by considering spray dynamics such as spray penetration and Sauter mean diameter in order to calculate the mass of evaporated fuel from the spray. Wall impingement of the liquid spray is predicted by considering the liquid length based on the prevailing in-cylinder conditions. These effects are considered even after the hydraulic end of injection till the last droplet of fuel impinges on the combustion chamber wall. The fuel evaporated from the wall film and its contribution to the kinetic energy of the charge are also considered.

Abstract The variation of inflation pressure has an important effect on the longitudinal slip characteristics of tires that can affect the braking performance of the vehicle, so the influence of inflation pressure should be taken into account in high-precision tire models. However, the effects of inflation pressure and vertical load on tire force and moment characteristics are usually coupled. When the inflation pressure is changing while keeping the load constant, the tire contact patch and carcass stiffness will change at the same time, so the contribution of tread and carcass to tire traction properties cannot be decoupled so that the tire design cannot be well guided. On the contrary, if the vertical loading method is changed, the vertical deflection control is used instead of load control.

Abstract This study predicts the dynamic characteristics for tires in the development stages of a vehicle with a focus on the generated forces. In particular, this investigation proposes an approximation analysis for the deflection and contact characteristics of a pneumatic tire. This consists of an integrated model for a three-dimensional membrane ring and brush models. This model is more complex than conventional models, which resulted in increased computational costs. Because the tire dynamic characteristics affects the contact pressure, the deformation of the tread rubber caused an interaction of forces. Therefore, the tread ring deformation was defined as a summation of the mode basis functions, which expressed vibrational behavior. This approximation linearizes the energy function, which helped calculate the potential energy of the tire structure using a theoretical equation without discretization.

Abstract This study analyzes the distribution of exhaust mass pollutants emission obtained in 1,157 tests in the European driving cycle of used light-duty vehicles (LDVs). At the time of production, the tested vehicles complied with the Federal environmental requirements of the United States (USA) and were imported to Europe from North America. They included 1,109 passenger cars (PCs) and 48 light-duty trucks (LDTs), equipped with gasoline engines. In general, for measured emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM): 25% of test results for PCs do not exceed the T2B5 limits of the US Federal Standard; 43% of test results for PCs do not exceed the thresholds, designated for on-board diagnostic system (OBD) proper functioning; 45% of test results for PCs do not exceed the European Union (EU)’s former standard “Euro-5” norms.

Abstract Under contract to the EPA, Eastern Research Group analyzed light-duty vehicle OBD monitor readiness and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) using inspection and maintenance (I/M) data from four states. Results from roadside pullover emissions and OBD tests were also compared with same-vehicle I/M OBD results from one of the states. Analysis focused on the evaporative emissions control (evap) system, the catalytic converter (catalyst), the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and the oxygen sensor and oxygen sensor heater (O2 system). Evap and catalyst monitors had similar overall readiness rates (90% to 95%), while the EGR and O2 systems had higher readiness rates (95% to 98%). Approximately 0.7% to 2.5% of inspection cycles with a “ready” evap monitor had at least one stored evap DTC, but DTC rates were under 1% for the catalyst and EGR systems, and under 1.1% for the O2 system, in the states with enforced OBD programs.

Abstract In order to improve performance and minimize pollutant emissions in gasoline turbocharged direct-injection (GTDi) engines, different injection strategies and technologies are being investigated. The inclusion of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and the variation of the start of injection (SOI) are some of these strategies that can influence the air-to-fuel (AF) mixture formation and consequently in the combustion process and pollutant emissions. This paper presents a complete study of the engine performance, pollutant emissions and aftertreatment efficiency that produces the SOI variation with a fixed EGR rate in a 4-cylinder, turbocharged, gasoline direct-injection engine with 2.0 L displacement. The equipment used in this study are TSI-EEPS for particle measurement and HORIBA MEXA 1230-PM for soot measurement being HORIBA MEXA 7100-DEGR with a heated line selector the system employed for regulated gaseous emission measurement and aftertreatment evaluation.

Abstract The aim of this work is to present the results achieved in the evaluation of combustion metrics using low-cost sensors for the indirect measurement of cylinder pressure. The developed transducers are piezoelectric rings placed under the spark plugs. Tests were carried out on three different engines running in various speed and load conditions. The article shows the characteristics of the signals generated by the piezo-ring sensors, compared to those coming from laboratory-grade pressure transducers: focus is to assess the achievable accuracy in the determination of frequently used combustion metrics, such as those related to knock intensity (Maximum Amplitude of Pressure Oscillations, MAPO), combustion phasing (MFB10, MFB50, …), and peak pressure.

Abstract The use of data-driven algorithms for the integration or substitution of current production sensors is becoming a consolidated trend in research and development in the automotive field. Due to the large number of variables and scenarios to consider; however, it is of paramount importance to define a consistent methodology accounting for uncertainty evaluations and preprocessing steps, that are often overlooked in naïve implementations. Among the potential applications, the use of virtual sensors for the analysis of solid emissions in transient cycles is particularly appealing for industrial applications, considering the new legislations scenario and the fact that, to our best knowledge, no robust models have been previously developed.

Abstract The manufacturing of diesel injector nozzles requires precision processing to produce multiple micro-holes. An abrasive fluid containing a mixture of mineral oil and hard particles is used for rounding them, ensuring the hydrodynamics of the injection. As verified in a previous investigation, the viscosity of the fluid undergoes uncontrolled changes during hydro-erosive (HE) grinding. Such undesired viscosity changes are detrimental to the process and difficult to assess. The current investigation aims to study the possibility of using the refractive index of the oils used in the HE grinding for assessing their viscosities. A calibration curve correlating the refractive index and viscosity was obtained from the analysis of samples produced by mixing two distinct mineral oils in different proportions. The determined calibration curve was tested with 45 samples of filtered oil, collected directly from the tanks during the HE grinding.

Abstract In current study, the combustion and emission characteristics of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) were studied and compared to those of conventional marine gas oil (MGO). The main goal was to verify its applicability as an alternative marine fuel. All experiments were performed using generator set and propeller-law test cycles, i.e., standardized E2 and E3 cycles respectively. Additional emphasis was paid to the particulate matter (PM) emissions combining gravimetric and particle number measurements. The obtained results indicate average 10-15 % reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, while total unburned hydrocarbons (THC) emissions were reduced by 50-55 %. It is believed that a much higher cetane number of HVO together with its superior chemical composition (overall higher H/C ratio, absence of aromatics, and heavy-boiling compounds) plays a vital role here.

Abstract The lubricating properties of diesel are an imperative aspect for the optimal functioning of fuel injection components. Regulatory standards followed by refineries utilize accelerated wear testing methodologies. These tests provide indicative results for judging the lubricity but are not conclusive for determining wear in functional applications attributed to higher loads and other environmental factors. In the course of this article, a tribological evaluation was carried out on Low-Sulfur Diesel (LSD) and Ultralow Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) by utilizing modified test parameters incorporating higher loads and a more extensive gradient of temperature on High-Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR) tribotester. The variance in the resultant coefficient of friction (COF) and wear scar concerning the change in parameters was observed as well as a comparative analysis was drawn between both test fuels.