Reactivity controlled compression ignition

Last updated • 1 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) is a form of internal combustion developed at the Engine Research Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, United States, by the research group of Wisconsin Distinguished Professor Rolf Reitz. [1]

Contents

During RCCI combustion, [2] well-mixed low-reactivity fuel and oxidizer (typically air) are compressed but not reaching auto-ignition. Later, still during compression cycle, high-reactivity fuel is injected to form a local mixture of low- and high-reactivity fuel. Finally the whole fuel charge is ignited near top dead center of the piston by injection of high-reactivity fuel. The RCCI combustion process requires two different fuels. Low-reactivity fuel gets injected into the intake ports with low pressure during the intake stroke. High-reactivity fuel gets injected into the cylinder with high pressure at the end of compression stroke. A throttle characteristic to Otto engines is not needed. Because of compression ignition and lack of throttle control, RCCI resembles much the diesel process. The dual-fuel RCCI can produce ultra-low NOx and soot emissions and higher thermal efficiency compared to conventional diesel combustion. [3]

RCCI patents are controlled by University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF). [4] Several derivative ideas have also been experimented with by Caterpillar. [5] [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Compression ratio</span> Ratio of the volume of a combustion chamber from its largest capacity to its smallest capacity

The compression ratio is the ratio between the volume of the cylinder and combustion chamber in an internal combustion engine at their maximum and minimum values.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diesel engine</span> Type of internal combustion engine

The diesel engine, named after Rudolf Diesel, is an internal combustion engine in which ignition of the fuel is caused by the elevated temperature of the air in the cylinder due to mechanical compression; thus, the diesel engine is called a compression-ignition engine. This contrasts with engines using spark plug-ignition of the air-fuel mixture, such as a petrol engine or a gas engine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reciprocating engine</span> Engine utilising one or more reciprocating pistons

A reciprocating engine, also often known as a piston engine, is typically a heat engine that uses one or more reciprocating pistons to convert high temperature and high pressure into a rotating motion. This article describes the common features of all types. The main types are: the internal combustion engine, used extensively in motor vehicles; the steam engine, the mainstay of the Industrial Revolution; and the Stirling engine for niche applications. Internal combustion engines are further classified in two ways: either a spark-ignition (SI) engine, where the spark plug initiates the combustion; or a compression-ignition (CI) engine, where the air within the cylinder is compressed, thus heating it, so that the heated air ignites fuel that is injected then or earlier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miller cycle</span> Thermodynamic cycle

In engineering, the Miller cycle is a thermodynamic cycle used in a type of internal combustion engine. The Miller cycle was patented by Ralph Miller, an American engineer, U.S. patent 2,817,322 dated Dec 24, 1957. The engine may be two- or four-stroke and may be run on diesel fuel, gases, or dual fuel. It uses a supercharger or a turbocharger to offset the performance loss of the Atkinson cycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exhaust gas recirculation</span> NOx reduction technique used in gasoline and diesel engines

In internal combustion engines, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is a nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions reduction technique used in petrol/gasoline, diesel engines and some hydrogen engines. EGR works by recirculating a portion of an engine's exhaust gas back to the engine cylinders. The exhaust gas displaces atmospheric air and reduces O2 in the combustion chamber. Reducing the amount of oxygen reduces the amount of fuel that can burn in the cylinder thereby reducing peak in-cylinder temperatures. The actual amount of recirculated exhaust gas varies with the engine operating parameters.

A stratified charge engine describes a certain type of internal combustion engine, usually spark ignition (SI) engine that can be used in trucks, automobiles, portable and stationary equipment. The term "stratified charge" refers to the working fluids and fuel vapors entering the cylinder. Usually the fuel is injected into the cylinder or enters as a fuel rich vapor where a spark or other means are used to initiate ignition where the fuel rich zone interacts with the air to promote complete combustion. A stratified charge can allow for slightly higher compression ratios without "knock," and leaner air/fuel ratio than in conventional internal combustion engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Four-stroke engine</span> Internal combustion engine type

A four-strokeengine is an internal combustion (IC) engine in which the piston completes four separate strokes while turning the crankshaft. A stroke refers to the full travel of the piston along the cylinder, in either direction. The four separate strokes are termed:

  1. Intake: Also known as induction or suction. This stroke of the piston begins at top dead center (T.D.C.) and ends at bottom dead center (B.D.C.). In this stroke the intake valve must be in the open position while the piston pulls an air-fuel mixture into the cylinder by producing a partial vacuum in the cylinder through its downward motion.
  2. Compression: This stroke begins at B.D.C, or just at the end of the suction stroke, and ends at T.D.C. In this stroke the piston compresses the air-fuel mixture in preparation for ignition during the power stroke (below). Both the intake and exhaust valves are closed during this stage.
  3. Combustion: Also known as power or ignition. This is the start of the second revolution of the four stroke cycle. At this point the crankshaft has completed a full 360 degree revolution. While the piston is at T.D.C. the compressed air-fuel mixture is ignited by a spark plug or by heat generated by high compression, forcefully returning the piston to B.D.C. This stroke produces mechanical work from the engine to turn the crankshaft.
  4. Exhaust: Also known as outlet. During the exhaust stroke, the piston, once again, returns from B.D.C. to T.D.C. while the exhaust valve is open. This action expels the spent air-fuel mixture through the exhaust port.

In spark-ignition internal combustion engines, knocking occurs when combustion of some of the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder does not result from propagation of the flame front ignited by the spark plug, but when one or more pockets of air/fuel mixture explode outside the envelope of the normal combustion front. The fuel–air charge is meant to be ignited by the spark plug only, and at a precise point in the piston's stroke. Knock occurs when the peak of the combustion process no longer occurs at the optimum moment for the four-stroke cycle. The shock wave creates the characteristic metallic "pinging" sound, and cylinder pressure increases dramatically. Effects of engine knocking range from inconsequential to completely destructive.

A combustion chamber is part of an internal combustion engine in which the fuel/air mix is burned. For steam engines, the term has also been used for an extension of the firebox which is used to allow a more complete combustion process.

Cetane number (CN) is an indicator of the combustion speed of diesel fuel and compression needed for ignition. It plays a similar role for diesel as octane rating does for gasoline. The CN is an important factor in determining the quality of diesel fuel, but not the only one; other measurements of diesel fuel's quality include energy content, density, lubricity, cold-flow properties and sulphur content.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gasoline direct injection</span> Mixture formation system

Gasoline direct injection (GDI), also known as petrol direct injection (PDI), is a mixture formation system for internal combustion engines that run on gasoline (petrol), where fuel is injected into the combustion chamber. This is distinct from manifold injection systems, which inject fuel into the intake manifold.

Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) is a form of internal combustion in which well-mixed fuel and oxidizer are compressed to the point of auto-ignition. As in other forms of combustion, this exothermic reaction produces heat that can be transformed into work in a heat engine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bourke engine</span> Type of internal combustion engine

The Bourke engine was an attempt by Russell Bourke, in the 1920s, to improve the two-stroke internal combustion engine. Despite finishing his design and building several working engines, the onset of World War II, lack of test results, and the poor health of his wife compounded to prevent his engine from ever coming successfully to market. The main claimed virtues of the design are that it has only two moving parts, is lightweight, has two power pulses per revolution, and does not need oil mixed into the fuel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot-bulb engine</span> Internal combustion engine

The hot-bulb engine, also known as a semi-diesel, is a type of internal combustion engine in which fuel ignites by coming in contact with a red-hot metal surface inside a bulb, followed by the introduction of air (oxygen) compressed into the hot-bulb chamber by the rising piston. There is some ignition when the fuel is introduced, but it quickly uses up the available oxygen in the bulb. Vigorous ignition takes place only when sufficient oxygen is supplied to the hot-bulb chamber on the compression stroke of the engine.

Engine efficiency of thermal engines is the relationship between the total energy contained in the fuel, and the amount of energy used to perform useful work. There are two classifications of thermal engines-

  1. Internal combustion and
  2. External combustion engines.
<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carbureted compression ignition model engine</span> Type of carbureted engine

A carbureted compression ignition model engine, popularly known as a model diesel engine, is a simple compression ignition engine made for model propulsion, usually model aircraft but also model boats. These are quite similar to the typical glow-plug engine that runs on a mixture of methanol-based fuels with a hot wire filament to provide ignition. Despite their name, their use of compression ignition, and the use of a kerosene fuel that is similar to diesel, model diesels share very little with full-size diesel engines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hesselman engine</span>

The Hesselman engine is a hybrid between a petrol engine and a diesel engine. It was designed and introduced in 1925 by Swedish engineer Jonas Hesselman.

Internal combustion engines come in a wide variety of types, but have certain family resemblances, and thus share many common types of components.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Internal combustion engine</span> Engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber

An internal combustion engine is a heat engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber that is an integral part of the working fluid flow circuit. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high-pressure gases produced by combustion applies direct force to some component of the engine. The force is typically applied to pistons, turbine blades, a rotor, or a nozzle. This force moves the component over a distance, transforming chemical energy into kinetic energy which is used to propel, move or power whatever the engine is attached to.

Partially premixed combustion (PPC), also known as PPCI or GDCI is a modern combustion process intended to be used in internal combustion engines of automobiles and other motorized vehicles in the future. Its high specific power, high fuel efficiency and low exhaust pollution have made it a promising technology. As a compression-ignition engine, the fuel mixture ignites due to the increase in temperature that occurs with compression rather than a spark from a spark plug. A PPC engine injects and premixes a charge during the compression stroke. This premixed charge is too lean to ignite during the compression stroke – the charge will ignite after the last fuel injection ends near TDC. The fuel efficiency and working principle of a PPC engine resemble those of Diesel engine, but the PPC engine can be run with a variety of fuels. Also, the partially premixed charge burns clean. Challenges with using gasoline in a PPC engine arise due to the low lubricity of gasoline and the low cetane value of gasoline. Use of fuel additives or gasoline-diesel or gasoline-biodiesel blends can mitigate the various problems with gasoline.

References

  1. Kokjohn, S L; Hanson, R M; Splitter, D A; Reitz, R D (22 June 2011). "Fuel reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI): a pathway to controlled high-efficiency clean combustion". International Journal of Engine Research. 12 (3): 209–226. doi: 10.1177/1468087411401548 .
  2. Reitz, Rolf D.; Duraisamy, Ganesh (February 2015). "Review of high efficiency and clean reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) combustion in internal combustion engines". Progress in Energy and Combustion Science. 46: 12–71. doi: 10.1016/j.pecs.2014.05.003 .
  3. Paykani, Amin; Kakaee, Amir-Hasan; Rahnama, Pourya; Reitz, Rolf D (2016-06-01). "Progress and recent trends in reactivity-controlled compression ignition engines". International Journal of Engine Research. 17 (5): 481–524. doi:10.1177/1468087415593013. ISSN   1468-0874.
  4. "Fuel-mixture technology revolutionizes engine performance - WARF".
  5. US20150285178A1,John, Bobby,"Reactivity controlled compression ignition engine and method of combustion phasing control",issued 2015-10-08
  6. US9151241B2,Gehrke, Christopher R.&Fiveland, Scott B.,"Reactivity controlled compression ignition engine operating on a Miller cycle with low pressure loop exhaust gas recirculation system and method",issued 2015-10-06

Further reading