Modeling the Performance of an IDI Diesel Engine With Intake Admission of Hydrogen in Low Concentrations

A 3D-CFD model based on KIVA 3 is described. It is developed with a “reduced” detailed chemical kinetics of 294 elementary reaction steps with 79 chemical species for diesel fuel combustion which includes 20 steps for the oxidation of hydrogen. The model was employed to examine the combustion characteristics of diesel/dual fuel operation in an IDI diesel engine with a swirl chamber while injecting relatively large diesel fuel quantities with low concentrations of hydrogen intake admission. The predicted results of such an operation are compared with those of the corresponding diesel engine operation with air over a wide range of diesel and hydrogen operating equivalence ratios. Relatively good agreement was demonstrated between predicted values and corresponding experimental results. Some apparent limitations of the model were identified and potential remedial measures were outlined.