Optimization of Diesel Engine Combustion Systems
Summary
Diesel engines remain vital in transportation, power generation and heavy industries due to their superior thermal efficiency and durability. However, stringent emissions regulations and fuel-economy targets have driven extensive research into optimising combustion systems. Key strategies include refining fuel-injection parameters such as timing, pressure and spray pattern to enhance atomisation and promote homogeneous mixing. Advanced turbocharging and variable-geometry systems improve charge-air delivery across varying loads and speeds. Combustion modelling, from zero-dimensional to three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics, has yielded detailed insights into in-cylinder processes and accelerated development of control strategies. Data-driven and machine-learning approaches now complement classical thermodynamic and empirical models, reducing calibration time and enabling real-time adaptation. Integrated optimisation of combustion, turbocharger matching and after-treatment systems has demonstrated significant reductions in NOx, particulate matter and CO2 emissions without compromising power density. These advances underpin global efforts to meet environmental targets, lower operating costs and transition to sustainable liquid fuels.
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Optimization of Diesel Engine Combustion Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in optimization of diesel engine combustion systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Zero-dimensional model: A combustion model that represents in-cylinder processes with no spatial resolution, using averaged thermodynamic variables.
Brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC): The mass of fuel consumed per unit of power produced, indicating engine efficiency.
Response surface methodology (RSM): A statistical technique for modelling and optimising relationships between input variables and performance responses.
In-cylinder pressure diagram: A plot of pressure against crank angle over a combustion cycle, used to assess combustion quality.
Air–fuel ratio (AFR): The mass ratio of air to fuel in the combustion mixture, critical for emissions and efficiency.
References
- Optimization of the Performance of Marine Diesel Engines to Minimize the Formation of SOx Emissions. Journal of Marine Science and Application (2020).
- Data Driven In-Cylinder Pressure Diagram Based Optimization Procedure. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (2020).
- Validation of an Emission Model for a Marine Diesel Engine with Data from Sea Operations. Journal of Marine Science and Application (2021).
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