Enabling Air-Path Systems for Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) Engine Transient Control

This paper explores the possibility of using a cost-effective air-path system that includes a dual-loop (exhaust gas recirculation) EGR and a (variable geometry turbocharger) VGT to achieve independent control of the main in-cylinder charge conditions (i.e. in-cylinder oxygen, inert gas amounts, and gas temperature at the intake valve closing) for HCCI engine combustion transient operation. An engine simulation model consisting of the air-path system and a HCCI combustion model was developed and synthesized to evaluate the control authority of the air-path system on the in-cylinder charge conditions as well as their effects on combustion. A variety of simulations unveiled that such an air-path system can enable independent control of the main in-cylinder charge conditions and active compensation of the effects of the wall temperature variations on HCCI combustion.