Title: Numerical study of turbulent flow inside a spark ignition engine cylinder

Authors: J.A. Beauquel; S.S. Ibrahim; Rui Chen

Addresses: Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering Department, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK ' Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering Department, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK ' Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering Department, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK

Abstract: This paper presents the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling results of the transient flow inside an engine cylinder with spark ignition valve timing. Transient flow simulations at 1,500 rpm are conducted and take into account the movement of the inlet, exhaust valves and the piston. The simulated in-cylinder velocities are compared to published laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) experimental data which is re-processed to illustrate the time history of mean velocities for all LDA measured points. Using the k-ε RNG turbulence model, the numerical prediction seems in good agreement with the LDA measurements with an overall averaged correlation of 78.3% for the intake and compression stroke. The development of the flow pattern inside the cylinder at the symmetrical cross-section is presented where the tumble motions and their centre are described for 90 and 180 crankshaft angle degrees (CAD).

Keywords: computer fluid dynamics; CFD; numerical simulation; model validation; engine cylinder flow; spark ignition valve timing; turbulent flow; spark ignition engines; SI engines; modelling; transient flow; turbulence modelling; crankshaft angle degrees.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESMS.2016.073308

International Journal of Engineering Systems Modelling and Simulation, 2016 Vol.8 No.1, pp.28 - 36

Accepted: 02 Aug 2014
Published online: 30 Nov 2015 *

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