Effects of Exhaust Gas Recirculation under Fueling Rate or Air/Fuel Ratio–Controlled Strategies on Diesel Engine Performance and Emissions by Two-Zone Combustion Modeling
Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 147, Issue 1
Abstract
The effects of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on combustion, performance, and exhaust emissions in direct injection (DI) diesel engines are assessed in a primarily numerical study under the influence of various EGR rates using two different strategies, that is, under constant engine fueling rate (FR) or air/fuel ratio (AFR). The analysis uses an in-house, comprehensive, two-zone diesel combustion model, which separates the in-cylinder working medium into an unburned zone (air, or air plus EGR gas) and a burned one into which fuel is injected from the injector-nozzle holes that are burned with the entrained gas mass from the unburned zone. The validity of the model computations is appraised positively compared to relevant experimental data, such as diagrams of in-cylinder pressures and temperatures, heat release rate (HRR), and nitric oxide (NO) and soot (smoke) emissions, with tests acquired in the laboratory on a standard, experimental, monocylinder, DI, naturally-aspirated (N/A) diesel engine at various operating conditions. A perplexity occurs in the literature of using either constant FR or AFR in the EGR strategy (sometimes overlooked), which can lead to an erroneous interpretation and comparison of the obtained results. This is delineated in this study by using its numerical results that supply insight into the local combustion and emissions formation mechanisms, identifying the important parameters in each case that affect the engine behavior under various operating conditions, in the light of the existing NO–smoke trade-off and the impact on engine power-output and efficiency. The results can be useful for optimizing the emissions and efficiency in each case, and assist with their implications for better designing of the related electronic control unit (ECU) in diesel engines bearing EGR systems.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
References
Agarwal, D., S. K. Singh, and A. K. Agarwal. 2011. “Effect of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on performance, emissions, deposits, and durability of a constant speed compression ignition engine.” Appl. Energy 88 (8): 2900–2907. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.01.066.
Alrbai, M., B. R. Qawasmeh, Z. Al-Hamamre, M. S. Sari, and Y. Taamneh. 2018. “Impact of exhaust gas recirculation on performance and emissions of free-piston electrical generator fueled by DME.” J. Energy Eng. 144 (3): 04018027. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000542.
Annand, W. J. D. 1963. “Heat transfer in the cylinders of reciprocating internal combustion engines.” Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. 177 (1): 973–996. https://doi.org/10.1243/PIME_PROC_1963_177_069_02.
Arai, M., M. Tabata, H. Hiroyasu, and M. Shimizu. 1984. Disintegration process and spray characterization of fuel jet injected by a diesel nozzle. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Benson, R. S., and N. D. Whitehouse. 1979. Internal combustion engines. Oxford, UK: Pergamon Press.
Chen, B., X. Liu, H. Liu, H. Wang, D. C. Kyritsis, and M. Yao. 2017. “Soot reduction effects of the addition of four butanol isomers on partially premixed flames of diesel surrogates.” Combust. Flame 177 (Mar): 123–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2016.12.012.
Chen, Z., J. Liu, Z. Wu, and C. Lee. 2013. “Effects of port fuel injection (PFI) of -butanol and EGR on combustion and emissions of a direct injection diesel engine.” Energy Convers. Manage. 76 (Dec): 725–731. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2013.08.030.
Ferguson, C. R. 1986. Internal combustion engines—Applied thermo sciences. New York: Wiley.
Giakoumis, E. G., C. D. Rakopoulos, A. M. Dimaratos, and D. C. Rakopoulos. 2012. “Exhaust emissions of diesel engines operating under transient conditions with biodiesel fuel blends.” Prog. Energy Combust. Sci. 38 (5): 691–715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2012.05.002.
Giakoumis, E. G., C. D. Rakopoulos, A. M. Dimaratos, and D. C. Rakopoulos. 2013. “Exhaust emissions with ethanol or -butanol diesel fuel blends during transient operation: A review.” Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev. 17 (1): 170–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2012.09.017.
Giakoumis, E. G., D. C. Rakopoulos, and C. D. Rakopoulos. 2016. “Combustion noise radiation during dynamic diesel engine operation including effects of various biofuels blends: A review.” Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev. 54 (Feb): 1099–1113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.10.129.
Giakoumis, E. G., and V. Tziolas. 2018. “Modeling a variable-geometry turbocharged diesel engine under steady-state and transient conditions.” J. Energy Eng. 144 (3): 04018017. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000537.
Hardalupas, Y., C. Hong, C. Keramiotis, A. M. K. P. Taylor, D. Touloupis, and G. Vourliotakis. 2018. “Optical diagnostics investigation into the effect of pilot injection dwell time and injection pressure on combustion characteristics and soot emissions in a single-cylinder optical diesel engine.” J. Energy Eng. 144 (5): 04018056. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000571.
Heywood, J. B. 1988. Internal combustion engine fundamentals. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Hiroyasu, H., T. Kadota, and M. Arai. 1983. “Development and use of a spray combustion modeling to predict diesel engine efficiency and pollutant emissions.” Bull. Jpn. Soc. Mech. Eng. 26 (214): 569–575. https://doi.org/10.1299/jsme1958.26.569.
Hountalas, D. T., G. C. Mavropoulos, and K. B. Binder. 2008. “Effects of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) temperature for various EGR rates on heavy duty DI diesel engine performance and emissions.” Energy 33 (2): 272–283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2007.07.002.
Jacobs, T., D. Assanis, and Z. Filipi. 2003. The impact of exhaust gas recirculation on performance and emissions of a heavy-duty diesel engine. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Kosmadakis, G. M., D. C. Rakopoulos, and C. D. Rakopoulos. 2016. “Methane/hydrogen fueling a spark-ignition engine for studying NO, CO and HC emissions with a research CFD code.” Fuel 185 (Dec): 903–915. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2016.08.040.
Kouremenos, D. A., C. D. Rakopoulos, D. T. Hountalas, and T. K. Zannis. 2001. Development of a detailed friction model to predict mechanical losses at elevated maximum combustion pressures. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Kumar, B. R., and S. Saravanan. 2015. “Effect of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on performance and emissions of a constant speed DI diesel engine fueled with pentanol/diesel blends.” Fuel 160 (Aug): 217–226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2015.07.089.
Labeckas, G., S. Slavinskas, and I. Kanapkiene. 2017. “The individual effects of cetane number, oxygen content or fuel properties on performance efficiency, exhaust smoke and emissions of a turbocharged CRDI diesel engine—Part 2.” Energy Convers. Manage. 149 (Oct): 442–466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2017.07.017.
Labeckas, G., S. Slavinskas, and K. Laurinaitis. 2018. “Effect of jet A-1/ethanol fuel blend on HCCI combustion and exhaust emissions.” J. Energy Eng. 144 (5): 04018047. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000560.
Ladommatos, N., S. Abdelhalim, and H. Zhao. 1998a. “Control of oxides of nitrogen from diesel engines using diluents while minimizing the impact on particulate pollutants.” Appl. Therm. Eng. 18 (11): 963–980. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1359-4311(98)00031-3.
Ladommatos, N., S. Abdelhalim, H. Zhao, and Z. Hu. 1998b. The effects on diesel combustion and emissions of reducing inlet charge mass due to thermal throttling with hot EGR. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Ladommatos, N., S. M. Abdelhalim, H. Zhao, and Z. Hu. 1998c. Effects of EGR on heat release in diesel combustion. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Lapuerta, M., J. M. Salavert, and C. Domenech. 1995. Modelling and experimental study about the effect of exhaust gas recirculation on diesel engine combustion and emissions. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Lavoie, G. A., J. B. Heywood, and J. C. Keck. 1970. “Experimental and theoretical study of nitric oxide formation in internal combustion engines.” Combust. Sci. Technol. 1 (4): 313–326. https://doi.org/10.1080/00102206908952211.
Levendis, Y. A., I. Pavlatos, and R. Abrams. 1994. Control of diesel soot, hydrocarbons and NOx emissions with a particulate trap and EGR. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Lipkea, W. H., and A. D. DeJoode. 1994. Direct injection diesel engine soot modeling: Formulation and results. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Liu, H., S. Li, Z. Zheng, J. Xu, and M. Yao. 2013. “Effects of -butanol, 2-butanol, and methyl octynoate addition to diesel fuel on combustion and emissions over a wide range of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rates.” Appl. Energy 112 (Dec): 246–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.06.023.
Maiboom, A., X. Tauzia, and J. F. Hetet. 2008. “Experimental study of various effects of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on combustion and emissions of an automotive direct injection diesel engine.” Energy 33 (1): 22–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2007.08.010.
Merola, S. S., A. Irimescu, L. Marchitto, C. Tornatore, and G. Valentino. 2017. “Effect of injection timing on combustion and soot formation in a direct injection spark ignition engine fueled with butanol.” Int. J. Engine Res. 18 (5–6): 490–504. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468087416671017.
Merola, S. S., A. Irimescu, C. Tornatore, and G. Valentino. 2016. “Effect of the fuel-injection strategy on flame-front evolution in an optical wall-guided DISI engine with gasoline and butanol fueling.” J. Energy Eng. 142 (2): E4015004. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000301.
Nitu, B., I. Singh, L. Zhong, K. Badreshany, N. A. Henein, and W. Bryzik. 2002. Effect of EGR on autoignition, combustion, regulated emissions and aldehydes in DI diesel engines. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Papagiannakis, R. G., S. R. Krishnan, D. C. Rakopoulos, K. K. Srinivasan, and C. D. Rakopoulos. 2017. “A combined experimental and theoretical study of diesel fuel injection timing and gaseous fuel/diesel mass ratio effects on the performance and emissions of natural gas–diesel HDDI engine operating at various loads.” Fuel 202 (Aug): 675–687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2017.05.012.
Pariotis, E. G., D. T. Hountalas, and C. D. Rakopoulos. 2005. Modeling the effects of EGR on a heavy duty DI diesel engine using a new quasi-dimensional combustion model. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Park, S. H., K. Choi, M. Y. Kim, and C. S. Lee. 2013. “Experimental investigation and prediction of density and viscosity of GTL, GTL-biodiesel, and GTL-diesel blends as a function of temperature.” Energy Fuels 27 (1): 56–65. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef301150k.
Pulkrabek, W. W. 2004. Engineering fundamentals of internal combustion engines. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice-Hall.
Qi, D. H., B. Chen, and D. Zhang. 2016. “Combustion and exhaust emissions characteristics of a dual-fuel compression ignition engine operated with diesel fuel and liquefied petroleum gas.” J. Energy Eng. 142 (4): 04016017. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000359.
Raihan, M. S., E. S. Guerry, U. Dwivedi, K. K. Srinivasan, and S. R. Krishnan. 2015. “Experimental analysis of diesel-ignited methane dual-fuel low-temperature combustion in a single-cylinder diesel engine.” J. Energy Eng. 141 (2): C4014007. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000235.
Rakopoulos, C. D., K. A. Antonopoulos, and D. C. Rakopoulos. 2007a. “Development and application of a multi-zone model for combustion and pollutants formation in a direct injection diesel engine running with vegetable oil or its bio-diesel.” Energy Convers. Manage. 48 (7): 1881–1901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2007.01.026.
Rakopoulos, C. D., K. A. Antonopoulos, and D. C. Rakopoulos. 2007b. “Experimental heat release analysis and emissions of a HSDI diesel engine fueled with ethanol-diesel fuel blends.” Energy 32 (10): 1791–1808. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2007.03.005.
Rakopoulos, C. D., and E. G. Giakoumis. 2009. Diesel engine transient operation—Principles of operation and simulation analysis. London: Springer.
Rakopoulos, C. D., E. G. Giakoumis, D. T. Hountalas, and D. C. Rakopoulos. 2004a. The effect of various dynamic, thermodynamic and design parameters on the performance of a turbocharged diesel engine operating under transient load conditions. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers International.
Rakopoulos, C. D., and D. T. Hountalas. 1998. “Development and validation of a 3-D multi-zone combustion model for the prediction of DI diesel engines performance and pollutants emissions.” Trans. SAE J. Engines 107 (3): 1413–1429.
Rakopoulos, C. D., and G. C. Mavropoulos. 2000. “Experimental instantaneous heat fluxes in the cylinder head and exhaust manifold of an air-cooled diesel engine.” Energy Convers. Manage. 41 (12): 1265–1281. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-8904(99)00179-X.
Rakopoulos, C. D., D. C. Rakopoulos, E. G. Giakoumis, and D. C. Kyritsis. 2004b. “Validation and sensitivity analysis of a two zone diesel engine model for combustion and emissions prediction.” Energy Convers. Manage. 45 (9–10): 1471–1495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2003.09.012.
Rakopoulos, C. D., D. C. Rakopoulos, G. M. Kosmadakis, and R. G. Papagiannakis. 2019. “Experimental comparative assessment of butanol or ethanol diesel-fuel extenders impact on combustion features, cyclic irregularity, and regulated emissions balance in heavy-duty diesel engine.” Energy 174 (May): 1145–1157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.03.063.
Rakopoulos, C. D., D. C. Rakopoulos, and D. C. Kyritsis. 2003. “Development and validation of a comprehensive two-zone model for combustion and emissions formation in a DI diesel engine.” Int. J. Energy Res. 27 (14): 1221–1249. https://doi.org/10.1002/er.939.
Rakopoulos, C. D., D. C. Rakopoulos, G. C. Mavropoulos, and G. M. Kosmadakis. 2018a. “Investigating the EGR rate and temperature impact on diesel engine combustion and emissions under various injection timings and loads by comprehensive two-zone modeling.” Energy 157 (Aug): 990–1014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.05.178.
Rakopoulos, D. C. 2013. “Combustion and emissions of cottonseed oil and its bio-diesel in blends with either -butanol or diethyl ether in HSDI diesel engine.” Fuel 105 (Mar): 603–613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2012.08.023.
Rakopoulos, D. C., C. D. Rakopoulos, and E. G. Giakoumis. 2015. “Impact of properties of vegetable oil, bio-diesel, ethanol and -butanol on the combustion and emissions of turbocharged HDDI diesel engine operating under steady and transient conditions.” Fuel 156 (Sep): 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2015.04.021.
Rakopoulos, D. C., C. D. Rakopoulos, E. G. Giakoumis, and E. G. Dimaratos. 2012. “Characteristics of performance and emissions in high-speed direct injection diesel engine fueled with diethyl ether/diesel fuel blends.” Energy 43 (1): 214–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2012.04.039.
Rakopoulos, D. C., C. D. Rakopoulos, E. G. Giakoumis, N. P. Komninos, G. M. Kosmadakis, and R. G. Papagiannakis. 2017. “Comparative evaluation of ethanol, -butanol, and diethyl ether effects as biofuel supplements on combustion characteristics, cyclic variations, and emissions balance in light-duty diesel engine.” J. Energy Eng. 143 (2): 04016044. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000399.
Rakopoulos, D. C., C. D. Rakopoulos, E. G. Giakoumis, and R. G. Papagiannakis. 2018b. “Evaluating oxygenated fuel’s influence on combustion and emissions in diesel engines using a two-zone combustion model.” J. Energy Eng. 144 (4): 04018046. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000556.
Rakopoulos, D. C., C. D. Rakopoulos, E. G. Giakoumis, R. G. Papagiannakis, and D. C. Kyritsis. 2014. “Influence of properties of various common bio-fuels on the combustion and emission characteristics of high-speed DI (direct injection) diesel engine: Vegetable oil, bio-diesel, ethanol, -butanol, diethyl ether.” Energy 73 (Aug): 354–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2014.06.032.
Rakopoulos, D. C., C. D. Rakopoulos, G. M. Kosmadakis, and E. G. Giakoumis. 2020. “Exergy assessment of combustion and EGR and load effects in DI diesel engine using comprehensive two-zone modeling.” Energy 202 (Jul): 117685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2020.117685.
Rakopoulos, D. C., C. D. Rakopoulos, and D. C. Kyritsis. 2016. “Butanol or DEE blends with either straight vegetable oil or biodiesel excluding fossil fuel: Comparative effects on diesel engine combustion attributes, cyclic variability and regulated emissions trade-off.” Energy 115 (Nov): 314–325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2016.09.022.
Saravanan, S. 2015. “Effect of EGR at advanced injection timing on combustion characteristics of diesel engine.” Alexandria Eng. J. 54 (3): 339–342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2015.05.001.
Sarkar, A., and U. K. Saha. 2018. “Impact of intake charge preheating on a biogas run dual fuel diesel engine using ternary blends of diesel-biodiesel-ethanol.” J. Energy Eng. 144 (3): 04018031. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000548.
Satoh, K., L. Zhang, H. Hatanaka, T. Takatsuki, and K. Yokota. 1997. “Relationship between and SM emissions from DI diesel engine with EGR.” Jpn. Soc. Automot. Eng. 18 (4): 369–375. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0389-4304(97)00037-4.
Stone, R. 1999. Introduction to internal combustion engines. London: MacMillan.
Way, R. J. B. 1976. “Methods for determination of composition and thermodynamic properties of combustion products for internal combustion engine calculations.” Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. 190 (1): 687–697. https://doi.org/10.1243/PIME_PROC_1976_190_073_02.
Whitehouse, N. D., and R. J. B. Way. 1969. “Rate of heat release in diesel engines and its correlation with fuel injection data.” Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. 184 (10): 17–27. https://doi.org/10.1243/pime_conf_1969_184_315_02.
Zannis, T. C., R. G. Papagiannakis, E. G. Pariotis, and M. I. Kourampas. 2019. “Experimental study of DI diesel engine operational and environmental behavior using blends of city diesel with glycol ethers and RME.” Energies 12 (8): 1547. https://doi.org/10.3390/en12081547.
Zannis, T. C., E. G. Pariotis, D. T. Hountalas, D. C. Rakopoulos, and Y. A. Levendis. 2007. “Theoretical study of DI diesel engine performance and pollutant emissions using comparable air-side and fuel-side oxygen addition.” Energy Convers. Manage. 48 (11): 2962–2970. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2007.07.007.
Zhao, Y., Y. Wang, D. Li, X. Lei, and S. Liu. 2014. “Combustion and emission characteristics of a DME (dimethyl ether)-diesel dual fuel premixed charge compression ignition engine with EGR (exhaust gas recirculation).” Energy 72 (Aug): 608–617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2014.05.086.
Zheng, M., G. T. Reader, and J. G. Hawley. 2004. “Diesel engine exhaust gas recirculation—A review on advanced and novel concepts.” Energy Convers. Manage. 45 (6): 883–900. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-8904(03)00194-8.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 147 • Issue 1 • February 2021
Copyright
© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 26, 2020
Accepted: Aug 21, 2020
Published online: Oct 29, 2020
Published in print: Feb 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Mar 29, 2021
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.