Numerical optimization of the injection strategy on a light duty diesel engine operating in dual fuel (CNG/diesel) mode

The next generation of light duty Diesel engines will face increasingly stringent emissions regulations, as well as the restrictions enforced by some local administrations. As a result, many manufacturers are starting to abandon this technology, because of the high costs and the reduced appeal on customers. On the other hand, Spark Ignition (SI) engines are not able to match the thermal efficiency of diesels, as well as their low emission of carbon dioxide (CO2): therefore, it would be highly desirable to identify cost effective solutions that permit to overcome the limits of Diesel engines, in particular soot emissions, while maintaining all the above-mentioned advantages. Dual fuel combustion, combining Natural Gas and Diesel fuel, is a well-proven technique for reducing soot emissions, while maintaining, or even increasing fuel efficiency. Moreover, this technology can be directly applied to existent Diesel engines with a few hardware modifications. However, to achieve the best results, a brand new calibration of the engine control parameters is needed. CFD-3D combustion simulation is the most cost effective tool to drive the experimental calibration process. Obviously, the numerical models must be previously calibrated against a first set of experimental data.The first part of this study, based on a previous work [9], reviews the building and experimental validation of a CFD 3D model, able to analyze this type of Dual Fuel concept applied to a current production light duty turbocharged Diesel engine, suitable for many different applications. A good agreement between simulation and experiments is found. In the second part of the paper, the calibrated model is used to investigate Dual Fuel combustion, analyzing the effects of Diesel oil injection strategies.