Multidimensional Modeling of Temperature Distribution in Engine Combustion Chamber

Heat conduction calculations are coupled with in-cylinder combustion modeling for engine simulation in this study. Heat transfer on the fluid-solid interface will affect the in-cylinder combustion process, emissions formation, and thermal loading on the combustion chamber surface. Full knowledge of heat fluxes on the interface is important in helping improve engine efficiency, reduce exhaust emissions, and reduce combustion chamber thermal stresses. To account for the unsteady, non-uniform temperature distributions on the combustion chamber surface, a fully coupled numerical procedure was developed and applied to calculate in-cylinder flows and heat conduction in solids simultaneously. The current approach was first validated against analytical heat conduction solutions. The model was then applied to simulate diesel engine combustion under different operating conditions. Unsteady, non-uniform temperature distributions on the piston surface were successfully predicted. Global engine parameters including in-cylinder pressure, heat release rate, and emissions were also comparable to the experimental data.