The objective of the University consortium was to investigate the fundamental processes that determine the practical boundaries of Low Temperature Combustion (LTC) engines and develop methods to extend those boundaries to improve the fuel economy of these engines, while operating with ultra low emissions. This work involved studies of thermal effects, thermal transients and engine management, internal mixing and stratification, and direct injection strategies for affecting combustion stability. This work also examined spark-assisted Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) and exhaust after-treatment so as to extend the range and maximize the benefit of Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI)/ Partially Premixed Compression Ignition (PPCI) operation. In summary the overall goals were; Investigate the fundamental processes that determine the practical boundaries of Low Temperature Combustion (LTC) engines; Develop methods to extend LTC boundaries to improve the fuel economy of HCCI engines fueled on gasoline and alternative blends, while operating with ultra low emissions; and Investigate alternate fuels, ignition and after-treatment for LTC and Partially Premixed compression Ignition (PPCI) engines.

This book deals with novel advanced engine combustion technologies having potential of high fuel conversion efficiency along with ultralow NOx and particulate matter (PM) emissions. It offers insight into advanced combustion modes for efficient utilization of gasoline like fuels. Fundamentals of various advanced low temperature combustion (LTC) systems such as HCCI, PCCI, PPC and RCCI engines and their fuel quality requirements are also discussed. Detailed performance, combustion and emissions characteristics of futuristic engine technologies such as PPC and RCCI employing conventional as well as alternative fuels are analyzed and discussed. Special emphasis is placed on soot particle number emission characterization, high load limiting constraints, and fuel effects on combustion characteristics in LTC engines. For closed loop combustion control of LTC engines, sensors, actuators and control strategies are also discussed. The book should prove useful to a broad audience, including graduate students, researchers, and professionals Offers novel technologies for improved and efficient utilization of gasoline like fuels; Deals with most advanced and futuristic engine combustion modes such as PPC and RCCI; Comprehensible presentation of the performance, combustion and emissions characteristics of low temperature combustion (LTC) engines; Deals with closed loop combustion control of advanced LTC engines; State-of-the-art technology book that concisely summarizes the recent advancements in LTC technology. .

It's crucial to use advanced combustion strategies to increase efficiency and decrease engine-out pollutants because of the compelling need to reduce the global carbon footprint. This dissertation proposes dual fuel low-temperature combustion as a viable strategy to decrease engine-out emissions and increase the thermal efficiency of future heavy-duty internal combustion (IC) engines. In dual fuel combustion, a low reactivity fuel (e.g. methane, propane) is ignited by a high reactivity fuel (diesel) in a compression-ignited engine. Generally, the energy fraction of low reactivity fuel is maintained at much higher levels than the energy fraction of the high reactivity fuel. For a properly calibrated engine, combustion occurs at lean and low-temperature conditions (LTC). This decreases the chances of the formation of soot and oxides of nitrogen within the engine. However, at low load conditions, this type of combustion results in high hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. The first part of this research experimentally examines the effect of methane (a natural gas surrogate) substitution on early injection dual fuel combustion at representative low loads of 3.3 and 5.0 bar BMEPs in a single-cylinder compression ignition engine (SCRE). Gaseous methane fumigated into the intake manifold at various methane energy fractions was ignited using a high-pressure diesel pilot injection at 310 CAD. Cyclic combustion variations at both loads were also analyzed to obtain further insights into the combustion process and identify opportunities to further improve fuel conversion efficiencies at low load operation. In the second part, the cyclic variations in dual fuel combustion of three different low reactivity fuels (methane, propane, and gasoline) ignited using a high-pressure diesel pilot injection was examined and the challenges and opportunities in utilizing methane, propane, and gasoline in diesel ignited dual fuel combustion, as well as strategies for mitigating cyclic variations, were explored. Finally, in the third part a CFD model was created for diesel methane dual fuel LTC. The validated model was used to investigate the effect of methane on diesel autoignition and various spray targeting strategies were explored to mitigate high hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions at low load conditions.

Internal combustion engines are a key aspect of society, and their continued use poses challenges from an environmental standpoint since they emit pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions. This dissertation focuses on experimental analysis of dual-fuel low temperature combustion (LTC), which can be used as a strategy to reduce engine-out emissions and increase engine efficiencies. Dual fuel LTC uses two different fuels, a high reactivity fuel (HRF) and a low reactivity fuel (LRF). The HRF has a higher cetane number than the LRF, which allows for easier auto-ignition in compression ignition engines. Dual fuel engines also utilize high air to fuel ratios to achieve LTC. This, combined with early injection timings of the HRF, helps to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions. At low load conditions, this is a problem since higher cycle-to-cycle variations can increase pollutants such as unburned hydrocarbons (UHC) and carbon monoxide (CO). To combat this, a firm understanding of dual fuel LTC is required, as well as a strategy for reducing the cycle-to-cycle variations. The first part of this work further identifies a combustion heat release 'transformation region' across different HRF injection timings wherein in-cylinder conditions arise that are conducive for ultra-low NOx emissions. This phenomenon occurs for different IC engine platforms and different fueling combinations. An experimental analysis, 0D chemical kinetic analysis, and 3D computation fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis were combined to elucidate the underlying causes for this phenomenon. The local stratification level of the fuel/air mixture was identified as the likely cause of combustion heat release transformation with changing HRF injection timing. The second part of the present work builds upon the findings of the first part by utilizing local stratification to mitigate cycle-to-cycle variations that are present at low loads. A framework of experiments was formulated for both a low engine load of 5 bar gross indicated mean effective pressure (IMEPg) and a high load of 15 bar IMEPg, wherein an injection strategy concept termed Spray TArgeted Reactivity Stratification (STARS) was utilized using both diesel and Polyoxymethelene-dimethyl-ether (POMDME) as HRFs. A steep decrease in UHC and CO emissions (> 80% reductions) as well as improved engine operation stability were demonstrated using both HRFs with dual fuel LTC at 5 bar IMEPg. Further, potential for emissions mitigation and efficiency improvement are discussed, as well as differences in the experimental results shown between the differing HRFs.