A representative linear eddy model for simulating spray combustion in engines (RILEM)

Journal article, 2018

The design of new combustion concepts for low emission, high efficiency internal combustion engines often leads to combustion under low temperature conditions. Under those conditions, the assumption of fast chemistry, which has been the cornerstone of many turbulent combustion models, is not strictly valid anymore and the validity and applicability of classical combustion models such as flamelet models might be limited. In this paper we present an updated version of a recently developed regime independent modeling approach for turbulent non-premixed combustion with an emphasis on applications to internal combustion engines. The model utilizes the mode-and regime-independent linear eddy model (LEM) as a combustion and micro-mixing model in a representative way. This is achieved by time advancing only one LEM realization representing the combustion process in the whole engine domain and coupling it to a RANS simulation with a presumed 9-function PDF approach for the mixture fraction. The use of LEM rather than flamelet combustion closure has several benefits, an important one being regime independence. Additionally, LEM incorporates a physically based representation of the stochastic variability of turbulent eddy motions, implying an intrinsic representation of scalar dissipation rate fluctuations. In order to capture key features of engine spray-combustion environments, the LEM methodology is extended by introducing a conical LEM domain to approximate spray spatial development, fuel vapor input based on CFD-prescribed spray evaporation, and a representation of large scale turbulent motions distinct from the inertial-range turbulence that develops at smaller scales. The representative character of LEM states is evaluated by comparing mixture fraction statistics and scalar dissipation rates generated by LEM and the CFD. The performance and predictive capability of the model for typical engine applications is evaluated by simulating a standard test case-Spray B of the Engine Combustion Network (ECN)-and comparing the results with experimental data. The results demonstrate the capability of the model to represent the spray combustion process with reasonable accuracy but also reveal some limitations. The limitations and shortcomings of the model are discussed and an outlook for further development of the approach into a regime-and mode-independent combustion model for internal engine applications is given. (C) 2018 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.