In spite of progress in the development of alternative powertrain systems and energy sources, the internal combustion and all its derivates still are and will be the main powertrain for automobiles. In SI-engines, several approaches compete with each other like the controlled auto ignition (CAI or HCCI), throttle-free load control using variable valvetrains, stratified mixture formation with lean engine operation or highly turbo charged downsizing concepts all combined with gasoline direct injection. The presented work makes a contribution for a deeper understanding of the combustion process of a turbo charged direct injection engine operating with external EGR as well as lean stratified mixture. Using detailed test bench investigations and introducing a new optical measurement tool, the combustion process is described in detail focusing on the occurrence of non-premixed combustion phenomena. The influence of engine parameters like global and local air-/fuel ratio, external EGR and fuel rail pressure as well as the influence of fuel parameters are discussed giving a characterization of the combustion process of stratified engine operation. Furthermore, the influences of non-inert exhaust gas components on engine knock tendency are investigated using external EGR with an EGR catalyst. Opposing the results to numerical analysis, combustion characteristics of turbo charged DISI-engines are presented.

The majority of 0D/1D knock models available today are known for their poor accuracy and the great effort needed for their calibration. Alexander Fandakov presents a novel, extensively validated phenomenological knock model for the development of future engine concepts within a 0D/1D simulation environment that has one engine-specific calibration parameter. Benchmarks against the models commonly used in the automotive industry reveal the huge gain in knock boundary prediction accuracy achieved with the approach proposed in this work. Thus, the new knock model contributes substantially to the efficient design of spark ignition engines employing technologies such as full-load exhaust gas recirculation, water injection, variable compression ratio or lean combustion. About the Author Alexander Fandakov holds a PhD in automotive powertrain engineering from the Institute of Internal Combustion Engines and Automotive Engineering (IVK) at the University of Stuttgart, Germany. Currently, he is working as an advanced powertrain development engineer in the automotive industry.

Downsizing of modern gasoline engines with direct injection is a key concept for achieving future CO22 emission targets. However, high power densities and optimum efficiency are limited by an uncontrolled autoignition of the unburned air-fuel mixture, the so-called spark knock phenomena. By a combination of three-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (3D-CFD) and experiments incorporating optical diagnostics, this work presents an integral approach for predicting combustion and autoignition in Spark Ignition (SI) engines. The turbulent premixed combustion and flame front propagation in 3D-CFD is modeled with the G-equation combustion model, i.e. a laminar flamelet approach, in combination with the level set method. Autoignition in the unburned gas zone is modeled with the Shell model based on reduced chemical reactions using optimized reaction rate coefficients for different octane numbers (ON) as well as engine relevant pressures, temperatures and EGR rates. The basic functionality and sensitivities of improved sub-models, e.g. laminar flame speed, are proven in simplified test cases followed by adequate engine test cases. It is shown that the G-equation combustion model performs well even on unstructured grids with polyhedral cells and coarse grid resolution. The validation of the knock model with respect to temporal and spatial knock onset is done with fiber optical spark plug measurements and statistical evaluation of individual knocking cycles with a frequency based pressure analysis. The results show a good correlation with the Shell autoignition relevant species in the simulation. The combined model approach with G-equation and Shell autoignition in an active formulation enables a realistic representation of thin flame fronts and hence the thermodynamic conditions prior to knocking by taking into account the ignition chemistry in unburned gas, temperature fluctuations and self-acceleration effects due to pre-reactions. By the modeling approach and simulation methodology presented in this work the overall predictive capability for the virtual development of future knockproof SI engines is improved.