The combustion in a spark-ignited spray-guided gasoline direct-injection engine operating in a stratified mode has been studied by in-cylinder imaging of the fuel, OH*, and soot distributions. Information on the fuel distribution was obtained by laser-induced fluorescence imaging of the aromatic molecules in the gasoline. The OH* and soot distributions were simultaneously visualized by detection of the natural emissions at 306 nm (OH*) and around 530 nm (soot) using two intensified charge-coupled device cameras. In addition to the in-cylinder observations, engine-out soot emissions, NOx, and HC were measured. The engine was operated at a speed of 2000 r/min and an indicated mean effective pressure of 2.5 bar, with a fully open throttle, resulting in a globally lean combustion with a fuel–air equivalence ratio of about 0.25. The gasoline was injected in single or double injections by an outward-opening piezo-actuated injector. The combustion was ignited efficiently at locally fuel-rich conditions. The soot formation and oxidation were investigated for the two injection strategies, each with three injection timings and two fixed ignition timings. The results showed that soot was efficiently formed and oxidized. From the in-cylinder measurements, it could be seen that the soot luminescence intensity quickly rose and then declined, while the combustion temperature was still increasing. Furthermore, the OH* intensity was still increasing as the soot luminescence was declining. The soot incandescence peak intensity occurred at a crank angle degree close to 50 per cent mass burned, and the OH* intensity peak arose later, shortly before the maximum soot temperature around top dead centre (TDC). When the injection timing was retarded, with constant ignition timing with respect to injection, it was found that the total soot luminosity increased. In addition, less OH* chemiluminescence was observed during the decrease of the soot incandescence, implying conditions less favourable for efficient soot oxidation in the later part of the combustion for retarded injections. This was confirmed by the engine-out soot emission measurements, which showed increased soot levels as the injection was retarded. It was also found that fuel impinged on the spark plug during the injections, resulting in a persistent jet flame close to the spark plug in the centre of the cylinder, which is believed to contribute to engine-out soot emissions.

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