Effects of spray impingement, injection parameters, and EGR on the combustion and emission characteristics of a PCCI diesel engine

The effects of spray impingement, injection parameters, and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on the combustion characteristics and exhaust emissions of a premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI) diesel engine were investigated using a single-cylinder test engine and an optically accessible engine. Tests were carried out under constant speed with variable injection pressures and EGR rates. Exhaust emissions and in-cylinder pressures were measured under all experimental conditions. Analyses were conducted based on diesel spray evolution and combustion process visualisation coupled with performance and exhaust emissions. Higher injection pressures led to lower smoke, hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions but had roughly the same CO emissions compared with lower injection pressures. Higher EGR rates led to the simultaneous reduction in NOx and soot emissions due to lower combustion temperatures compared to conventional diesel combustion. However, HC and CO emissions increased due to fuel impingement, bulk quenching, and over-mixing, leading to an air–fuel mixture that was too lean to burn. An optimum spray targeting spot was identified, leading to lower emissions of soot, CO, and HC but higher NOx emissions without EGR. The simultaneous reduction in NOx and soot was achieved using the optimum spray targeting spot by introducing EGR, which was accompanied by homogenous combustion and a low luminosity flame attributed to fuel impingement on the piston bowl wall.

► We examined a highly efficient and low emission PCCI diesel engine.
► Higher injection pressure led to high efficiency and low emissions.
► EGR led to better efficiency, low NOx and smoke, slightly high CO and HC emissions.
► Optimum spray spot, high injection and EGR led to low emissions and high efficiency.