An Investigation of the Low Temperature Combustion Regime (LTC) in a Small Bore HSDI Diesel Engine

Abstract

The low temperature combustion regime (LTC) has been known to simultaneously reduce both NOx and smoke emissions. The concept is to burn the fuel vapor-air charge, low in oxygen concentration, at low temperatures to reduce the formation of both NOx and smoke emissions. The paper investigates two combustion concepts in the LTC regime, the MK (modulated kinetics) and the smokeless locally rich diesel combustion and proposes a new strategy for a further reduction in emissions with minimum penalty in fuel economy. Tests were carried out under simulated turbo charged conditions on a single cylinder, small bore HSDI diesel engine with a re-entrant bowl combustion chamber. The engine is equipped with a common rail fuel injection system. Tests covered a wide range of injection pressures, EGR rates, injection timings and swirl ratios to determine their individual and collective contributions in engine-out emissions and fuel economy within this combustion regime. The proposed strategy is based on the results of this experimental investigation.