DURIP: Pre-heating Constant Volume Combustion Chamber System for Characterization of Spray Compression-Ignition Combustion

A pre-heating constant volume combustion chamber (PHCVCC) system capable of providing compression-ignition conditions similar to the compression-stroke of diesel engines under precisely controlled ambient environments is proposed to be purchased and installed at the Spray and Engine Diagnostics Laboratory (SEDL), Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering of the NC State University. The PHCVCC system is a versatile tool to investigate diesel spray auto-ignition and combustion under high-pressure and high-temperature environments. The unique feature of a PHCVCC system is the precise control of the gas compositions before ignition compared with other types of constant volume combustion chamber (CVCC) systems. Ignition control of liquid fuel spray by adding oxides of nitrogen (NO/NO2, namely NOx) in the engine cylinder is of great interest to the Army Research Office (ARO). An environment with well-controlled compositions before ignition is the key to quantitatively analyze the effects of NO/NO2 addition on the ignition process. The objective of this equipment proposal is to acquire a commercial pre-heating constant volume combustion chamber system, establishing the unprecedented capability at NCSU for extensive characterization of liquid fuel ignition and combustion under precisely controlled ambient environments. The new capability will greatly benefit the research and research-related education in areas of interest to the DOD. Specifically, a research project on investigating ignition enhancement effects using NO/NO2 for jet fuels and their surrogates under compression-ignition conditions will be first carried out using the equipment. The spray combustion research activities will not only make significant contributions to the development of powerful and efficient military diesel engines in general, but will also strongly promote educational and human resource development. The interdisciplinary nature of the project presents unique learning opportunities to our undergraduate and graduate students with a broad participation of groups including those underrepresented in the sciences and engineering. Two PhD Students will be trained to operate the PHCVCC system and to develop new capability for efficient fuel combustion tests. The results from the equipment also help enrich the course materials at both undergraduate and graduate levels.