Engine combustion

Our research is focused upon studying internal combustion processes with the fundamental goal of improving efficiency and emissions performance.

Funding bodies, such as the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) and the European Union (EU), support the research programmes. The projects are carried out in collaboration with industrial partners, drawn from engine consultancies, fuel companies, OEMs and Tier One suppliers. The advances are targeted at improvements in gasoline and diesel combustion systems at the pre-prototype phase of engine development.

The research combines experimental methods with analytical and numerical modelling approaches. State-of-the-art engine test rigs have been developed for thermal and optical engine programmes. A broad range of laser diagnostics techniques have been developed for analysis alongside traditional methods such as engine indicating and exhaust gas analysis.

The fundamental combustion research has contributed to practical insights into the relationship between the engine operating point, fuel consumption and gas emissions, prior to exhaust catalysis. The engineering solutions, facilitated by advances in technology, have resulted in a measurable impact upon the development of passenger cars, heavy-duty transport vehicles, power plants and motorsport engines.

Our research team has specific interest and expertise in the following areas:

  • Fuelling and Ignition
  • Gas and particulate emissions
  • Engine performance
  • Alternative fuels
  • Alternative engine cycles

In-cylinder air motion

In-cylinder air motion visualised during the intake stroke

Fuelling and ignition

Research is primarily focused upon turbulent internal combustion of pre-mixed and non-premixed reactants. Liquid fuel breakup, evaporation and interaction with mean and turbulent gas motions are studied together with combustion analysis and chemical kinetics.

Dr Elena Sazhina led ‘A fundamental study of the novel poppet valve 2-stroke auto-ignition combustion engine (2-ACE)’. The research was used to improve understanding about the key in-cylinder phenomena and processes in the new engine and assess its potential to leapfrog improvement in performance, fuel economy and exhaust emissions, as compared to existing gasoline engines. Our programme of exploration was comprehensive and systematic. We used high-speed in-cylinder gas mapping and in-cylinder temperature imaging. In addition, we applied sophisticated chemistry computational fluid dynamics (CFD) engine simulation with state-of-the-art auto-ignition combustion prediction capability and refined fuel spray and evaporation models to obtain much-needed insight.

In all our research, the advanced research rigs allow optical access to the combustion chamber. Laser based diagnostic techniques are used to provide new insight and to validate combustion and engine modelling and simulation. New physical and mathematical models have been proposed for droplet heating and evaporation, spray-induced vortex rings, fuel impingement, combustion phasing, performance, emissions and autoignition.

Flame propagationFlame propagation in a gasoline engine observed through a glass piston

Research projects

Development of new physical and mathematical models for fuel spray autoignition

VERTIGO – Virtual Emission Research, Tool InteGration and Optimisation

Gas and particulate emissions

Emissions formed during burning of an air/fuel mixture depend on conditions during combustion, during expansion stroke, and especially prior to the exhaust valve opening. Mixture preparation during the ignition delay, fuel ignition quality, residence time at different combustion temperatures, expansion duration, and general engine design features play crucial roles in emission formation.

Cutting CO2 and NOx emissions is a priority, but so too is reducing particulate emissions, which are also hazardous to health and the environment. Technology improvements, including direct injection, turbo-charging, multi-phase fuel injections and controllable valve timing have been found effective in controlling particulate emissions. Our research is concerned with identifying ways to minimise emissions and comply with stringent legislation.

Research projects

Role of EGR in the future emissions targets of advanced diesel engines

Engine performance

Cutting emissions and improving fuel efficiency are key concerns for automotive engineering research. The challenge is to make sure that these critical targets are achieved without impairing performance, durability and driveability.

Research projects

GREEN engine

GREEN 2

Follow-up on the GREEN project

GREEN 3

 

Interactions between high-pressure diesel sprays and bowl geometry

CHAMP

Low Carbon Hybrid Advanced Motive Power

VERTIGO – Virtual Emission Research, Tool InteGration and Optimisation

Steady-State Flow Rig (SSFR) Motorsport project

Alternative fuels

We are determined to identify cleaner, more efficient fuels. We continue to research into how to improve existing fuels while evaluating renewable alternatives and contributing to exciting new developments in the field.

Liquid air

Air can be turned into liquid using surplus energy from renewable generation, such as wind and solar power. These sources sometimes produce energy when it is not needed; storing it as liquid air means that it can be heated and turned back into electricity when demand increases.

Liquid air is a promising alternative fuel, offering improved efficiency and lowered overall costs for use in the context of the UK electricity network.

We have also collaborated with Dearman Engine, the Motor Industry research Association (MIRA), Ricardo and UK universities including Leeds, Birmingham and Loughborough on the design of the world’s first liquid air engine, intended to provide the power for refrigerated trailer applications.

Research projects

Non-spherical droplets in high pressure sprays

An investigation

Energy efficiency and environment

A cross-channel cluster (E3C3)

C5: Cross-channel centre for low carbon combustion

The effects of diesel fuel composition on atomisation and combustion

Alternative engine cycles

Novel engine cycles represent the future of automotive engineering. We are engaged in groundbreaking research into the cryogenic split-cycle engine, Cryopower and a low-carbon waste-heat powered microwave fuel reformer, HeatWave II. 

Research projects

CEREEV

Combustion Engine for Range-Extended Electric Vehicle

2/4 SIGHT

Downsized 2 stroke/4 stroke switching engine for passenger cars

2/4 Car

Follows on the success of the 2/4 SIGHT project

Novel poppet valve 2-stroke auto-ignition combustion engine (2-ACE)

A fundamental study

Research team

Dr Steven Begg, Reader
Dr Daniel Coren, Senior Lecturer
Dr Guillaume de Sercey, Research Fellow
Professor Morgan Heikal, Head of the Centre for Automotive Engineering
Dr David Mason, Principal lecturer
Dr Rob Morgan, Reader
Dr Nicolas Miché, Senior Lecturer
Dr Elena Sazhina, Senior Lecturer

Output

Kaplanski, F., Sazhin, S.S., Begg, S.M., Fukumoto, Y. and Heikal, M.R. (2010) Dynamics of vortex rings and spray induced vortex ring-like structures.  European Journal of Mechanics B.Fluids, 29 Issue 3, pp 208-216.

Kaplanski, F., Sazhin, S.S., Fukumoto, Y., Begg, S.M. and Heikal, M.R. (2009) A generalised vortex ring model. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 622, pp. 233-258.

Begg, S., Kaplanski, F., Sazhin, S., Hindle, M. and Heikal, M. (2009) Vortex ring-like structures in gasoline fuel sprays under cold-start conditions. International Journal of Engine Research, 10 (4). pp. 195-214. ISSN 2041-3149

Begg, S., Hindle, M., Cowell, T. and Heikal, M. (2008) Low intake valve lift in a port fuel-injected engine. Energy, the International Journal, 34 (12). pp. 2042-2050.

Osborne, R., Stokes, J., Ceccarini, D., Jackson, N., Lake, T., Joyce, M., Visser, S., Miche, N., Begg, S.M., Heikal, M.R., Kalian, N., Zhao, H. and Ma, T. (2008) The 2/4SIGHT project - development of a multi-cylinder two-stroke/four-stroke switching gasoline engine. In: Proceedings JSAE Annual Congress. 20085400, 79-08. JSAE technical paper series.

Laguitton, O., Crua, C., Cowell, T., Heikal, M.R., Gold, M.R. (2007) The effect of compression ratio on exhaust emissions from a PCCI diesel engine, Energy and Conversion Management, 48 (11), pp 2918-2924.

Begg, S., Mason, D. and Heikal, M. (2009) Combustion phasing in an optical gasoline engine operating in the limit of spark-assisted controlled auto-ignition. In: Proceedings of the JUMY International Automotive Conference and Exhibition (XXII Science and Motor Vehicles 2009). Society of Automotive Engineers of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia. (Paper 36).

Begg, S., de Sercey, G. and Heikal, M. (2009) Experimental investigation of the characteristics of oil behaviour in an engine crankcase. In: Proceedings of the DIPSI Workshop - Droplet impact phenomena and spray investigations. Universita degli Studi di Bergano, Bergano, Italy.

Sazhin, S.S., Kaplanski, F., Begg, S. and Heikal, M. (2009) Vortex ring-like structures in gasoline fuel sprays. In: Proceedings of the JUMY International Automotive Conference and Exhibition (XXII Science and Motor Vehicles 2009). Society of Automotive Engineers of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia.

Begg, S, Mason, D. and Heikal, M. (2009) Spark ignition and spark-assisted controlled auto-ignition in an optical gasoline engine. In: SAE/JSAE Technical Paper Series 2009-32-0072/20097072. 15th Small Engine Technology Conference (SETC), Penang, Malaysia.

Sazhin, S.S., Kaplinski, F., Begg, S.M. and Heikal, M.R. (2008) Vortex ring-like structures in gasoline fuel sprays: modelling and observations. In: ILASS 2008, 22nd European Conference on Liquid Atomization and Spray Systems. Politecnico di Milano and the Universitá degli Studi di Bergano, Lake Como, Italy.

Sazhin, S.S., Kaplanski, F., Begg, S. and Heikal, M.R. (2008) Vortex rings in internal combustion engines: modelling versus experiment. In: Proceedings of the 19th International Symposium on Transport Phenomena. University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.

Begg, S., Parmenter, D., Mason, D. and Heikal, M. (2008). Mixture preparation and combustion Characteristics in a compression-ignition gasoline engine. Paper number 12.2-4. 14th International Symposium on Applications of Laser Techniques to Fluid Mechanics, Lisbon, Portugal, 07-10 July, 2008.

Mason, D.J., Begg, S., Cooper, B., Jackson, N. (2008) A low compression ratio low NOx diesel combustion system. Proceedings of Societe des Ingénieurs de l’Automobile International Conference, Rouen, 28 May, 2008.

Karimi, K., Crua, C., Heikal, M.R., Sazhina, E.M. (2007) Split injection strategy for diesel sprays: experiment and modelling. PTNS Kongres 2007, 20-23 May 2007, Krakow, Poland.

Sazhin, S.S., Martynov, S., Kristyadi, T., Crua, C., Heikal, M.R. (2007)

Models for droplet heating and evaporation: application to simulation of the autoignition process in diesel engines. PTNSS Kongres 2007, 20-23 May 2007, Krakow, Poland.

Begg, S.M., Hindle, M.P., Cowell, T., Heikal, M.R. (2007) The effect of intake valve lift on the mixture preparation processes of a port fuel-injected engine. Proceedings of ECOS 2007, 25-28 June 2007, Padova, Italy.

Martynov, S.B., Sazhin, S.S., Crua, C., Gorokhovsky, M.A., Chtab, A., Sazhina,  E.M.,  Karimi, K., Kristyadi, T., Heikal, M.R. (2007) Effects of droplet breakup, heating and evaporation on autoignition of Diesel sprays. UK-Israel Workshop ‘Sprays: Modelling versus Experimentation’, 16-18 July 2007, Brighton, UK (Abstract)

Karimi, K., Sazhina, E.M., Abdelghaffar, W.A., Crua, C., Cowell, T., Heikal,M.R., Gold, M.R. (2006) Development in diesel spray characterisation and modelling. Proceedings of THIESEL 2006, 13-15 September 2006, Valencia, Spain.

Laguitton, O., Crua, C., Cowell, T., Heikal, M.R., and Gold, M.R. (2006) The effect of compression ration on exhaust emissions from a PCCI diesel engine.  Proceedings of 19th International Conference Efficiency, Cost, Optimisation, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems, 12-14 July 2006, Crete, Greece.

Demory, R., Crua, C., Gold, M.R., Heikal, M.R., (2006) Measuring and processing in-cylinder measurements of NO and OH obtained by laser-induced fluorescence in a diesel rapid compression machine. Proceedings of 13th International Symposium on Applications of Laser Techniques to Fluid Mechanics, 26-29 June 2006, Lisbon, Portugal.

Sources/links

Collaborations

Brunel University
Dearman Engine
Delphi Diesel Systems
Denso
Ford
Imperial College London
Institut de Recherche en Systèmes Electroniques Embarqués (IRSEEM), France
Jaguar
Land Rover
Loughborough University
Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA)
Ricardo
Université de Picardie Jules Verne, France
University of Birmingham
University of Leeds
Volvo Powertrain
And 26 collaborating partners on the GREEN EU-funded project

Funding

2013

Ricardo, tools and techniques (£140,000)
TSB, Split Cycle Engine (£212,500)
Ricardo, Multiple Injection (£38,000)
Ricardo, Volcano (£35,000)
TSB, Free piston, Libertine (£274,999)

2012

RSB, Flysafe (£127,553)
BP, Fuel test research programme (£130,082)
EPSRC, The development of the full Lagrangian approach for the analysis of vortex ring structures in disperse media: application to gasoline engines (£352,905)
European INTERREG, CEREEV (£187,814)
Ricardo, Tools and Techniques (£140,000)
EPSRC, Investigation of non-spherical droplets in high pressure fuel sprays (£783,783)

2011

EPSRC, Molecular dynamics simulation of complex molecules using quantum chemical potentials (£335,056)
Ricardo UK Ltd, Contribution to tools and techniques (£140,000)
BP, Fuel test research programme (£65,482)
BP, Optical investigation of the effects of composition on the spray formation of marine diesel engine oil (£80,348)
TSB, CoolR (£39,991)
Ricardo UK Ltd, GREEN4 (£20,000)

2010

EPSRC, Development of a new quantitative kinetic model (£138,627)
BP, Characterisation of Cylinder Oil Cover (£22,306)
BP, Diesel Injection Spray Analysis (£16,108)
Ricardo UK Ltd, Contribution to tools and techniques (£100,000)

2009

INTERREG, C5 (£404,637)
Delphi/Ricardo UK Ltd, Clean Diesel Project (£90,000)
Ricardo UK Ltd, Diesel Hydra (£10,000)
EPSRC, Modelling of break-up processes in transient Diesel fuel sprays (£274,601)
INTERREG, CHAMP (£85,090)
Ricardo UK Ltd, Contribution to tools and techniques (£135,000)
Ricardo UK Ltd, Green Project 3 (£41,211)
Ricardo UK Ltd, Volcano Project (£210,000)

2008

Technology Strategy Board, 2/4CAR (£248,972)
Ricardo UK Ltd, Contribution to tools and techniques (£135,000)
Ricardo UK Ltd, Crank case test facility (£19,800)
EPSRC, 2-ACE (£256,164)

Awards, recognition, impact

Professor Morgan Heikal

  • Visiting Senior Professor, UTP, Malaysia
  • Head, Advanced Innovation and Technology Centre, UTP, Malaysia
  • Member of the 2014 REF panel B12
  • Advisor: UTP Research Strategy Committee on Energy
  • Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
  • Chair of the Universities’ Internal Combustion Engines Group (UnICEG)
  • Member, Scientific Council of the International Centre for Heat and Mass Transfer
  • Member of the I Mech E Combustion and Fuels group

Dr Steven Begg

  • Advisory panel for White paper to propose formation of a UK Liquid Air Energy Association
  • Advisory panel for the Dearman Engine Company
  • Member of Universities Internal combustion Engines Group (UnICEG)
  • Member of IMechE Combustion Engines and Fuels Group

Sir Harry Ricardo Laboratories

The Sir Harry Ricardo Laboratories are recognised as one of the UK’s premier automotive engineering research facilities. The laboratories and our team were heavily featured in the DVD produced by UK Trade and Investment to promote low carbon vehicles.

2009

2/4CAR project - Shortlisted for the Engineer Magazine Technology & Innovation Awards

2005

2/4SIGHT gasoline engine - Winner of the Safety and Technology category, Autocar awards

The 2/4SIGHT gasoline engine was announced as winner of the Safety and Technology category in the Autocar awards. This advanced and innovative engine concept was recognised for its potential to deliver an improvement of up to 30% in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, together with class leading performance.