Etude de la combustion de gaz de synthèse issus d'un processus de ...

Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF A SYNGAS- FUELLED ENGINE
Over the past years, several simulation codes of varying degree of sophistication of the
SI engine combustion process have been developed and applied to predict engine
performance (Rakopoulus, 1993). However, sparse theoretical studies have been
reported so far in the literature as regards modeling syngas combustion in SI engines
(Sridhar et al. 2006; Rakopoulus et al., 2008). Therefore, computational models of
syngas combustion in SI engines are strongly desirable; in order to supplement the
relevant experimental studies that usually concern operation of pure syngas.
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Several model frameworks are used for the simulation of the ‘closed’ part of the sparkignition
engine cycle; these can be classified as ‘zero-’, ‘multi-zone’ and ‘multidimensional’
models. The first two types are classified as thermodynamic models,
where the equations constituting the basic structure of the model are based on
conservation of mass and energy and are only dependent on time (resulting in ordinary
differential equations). Multidimensional models are also termed fluid mechanic or fluid
dynamic models, where the governing equations are the Navier–Stokes equations in
addition to conservation of mass and energy. Multi-zone models are distinguished from
zero-dimensional models by the inclusion of certain geometrical parameters in the
basic thermodynamic approach.
The choice of multi-zone or multi-dimensional model is largely determined by the
application. If the objective is to evaluate a large range of conditions, perform
parametric studies and/or predict optimum engine settings, a reasonable accuracy and
fast computation on a PC system is desirable. These conditions are satisfied by multizone
models. Recent examples are the investigations of causes for cycle-to-cycle
variations in engines (Aghdam et al., 2007) and causes for the increased combustion
variability leading to lean limits (Ayala and Heywood, 2007). Multi-dimensional models
are inappropriate for such studies as they are computationally too demanding. Their
best use is for more detailed studies for limited conditions or particular features (e.g.
flow through valves, fuel injection, bulk in-cylinder flow and turbulence development), or
to support theory and model development.
The following reports in detail the development and validation of a multi-zone
thermodynamic combustion model. The purpose is the prediction of the engine incylinder
pressure. The validation of the code is made by comparison with experimental
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