Near-Wall Flame and Flow Measurements in an Optically Accessible SI Engine

Near-wall processes in internal combustion engines strongly affect heat transfer and pollutant emissions. With continuously improving capabilities to model near-wall processes, the demand for corresponding measurements increases. To obtain an in-depth understanding of the near-wall processes within spark-ignition engines, flame distributions and flow fields were measured simultaneously near the piston surface of an optically accessible engine operating with homogeneous, stoichiometric isooctane-air mixtures. The engine was operated at two engine speeds (800 rpm and 1500 rpm) and two different intake pressures (0.95 bar and 0.4 bar). Flame distributions were obtained at high spatial resolution using high-speed planar laser induced fluorescence of sulfur dioxide (SO2). Particle tracking velocimetry was utilized to measure the flow field above the piston at high spatial resolution, which enabled the determination of hydrodynamic boundary layer profiles. Flame contours were extracted and statistical distributions of the burnt gas area determined. The burnt gas distributions were compared with the simultaneously recorded high-speed flow field measurements in the unburnt gas. A direct comparison with motored engine operation showed comparable boundary layer profiles until the flame approaches the wall. Flow acceleration due to flame expansion rapidly increases velocity gradients and the boundary layer development becomes highly transient. The interaction of flame and flow depends on the operating conditions, which results in a different evolution of burnt gas positions within the field-of-view. This has additional implications on the development of the velocity boundary layer. Depending on the operating conditions, the flame strongly affects the velocity boundary layer profiles resulting in boundary layer thicknesses (defined by 50% maximum velocity) in the order of 80-180 mu m.

Automated summary

This study investigates near-wall processes in internal combustion engines by measuring flame distributions and flow fields. The interaction between flame and flow under different operating conditions leads to variations in burnt gas positions within the field-of-view. The presence of flame significantly affects the velocity boundary layer profiles.