2nd International Conference “From Science Computing to Computational Engineering”, 5-8 July 2006

Analytical Modeling of Flame Kernel

Formation and Development in SI
Engines

Hamed Aghajani
Nasser S. Mehdizadeh
Sadegh Tabejamaat

Amirkabir University of Technology-Aerospace Engineering Department-Tehran-Iran

2nd International Conference “From Science Computing to Computational Engineering”, 5-8 July 2006

Topics
 Published Work Categories
 Goals in Modeling
 Most Important Researches
 Spark Discharge
 Model Description (assumption)
 Validation
 Results
 2nd International Conference “From Science Computing to Computational Engineering”, 5-8 July 2006

Published Works Categories

 Phenomenology
 Electrical spark ignition
 Reaction kinetics
 Modeling of flame kernel formation
2nd International Conference “From Science Computing to Computational Engineering”, 5-8 July 2006

Goals in Modeling

 Reducing the fuel

consumption
 Reducing the
exhaust emissions
2nd International Conference “From Science Computing to Computational Engineering”, 5-8 July 2006

Most Important Researches

 Champion 1986
 Sloane 1989-1990-1992
 Ko 1991
 Akram 1996
 Yashar 2001
2nd International Conference “From Science Computing to Computational Engineering”, 5-8 July 2006

Spark Discharge

 Pre-breakdown phase
 Breakdown phase
 Arc phase
 Glow phase
2nd International Conference “From Science Computing to Computational Engineering”, 5-8 July 2006

Model Description (assumptions)

 Calculations start at 1  s after the breakdown

 Ideal gas law is applicable
 Temperature inside the kernel is uniform
 Kernel to assumed to be spherical
 Ignition flame kernel separates the burned and
unburned gas
 Flame kernel volume is much smaller than the
combustion chamber volume
2nd International Conference “From Science Computing to Computational Engineering”, 5-8 July 2006

Model Description
 Increase in flame kernel mass
d   kVk  d k
  u Ak  st  s p 
dVk
k 
m  k  Vk
dt dt dt

 Utilizing the ideal gas law

  1 dTk 1 dP 
dVk
dt k

 u Ak sl  S p  Vk   
 Tk dt P dt 
 By normalizing the volume increase
 V  1 dTk 1 dP 
drk
dt k
 
 u sl  S p  k 
Ak  Tk dt
 
P dt 
2nd International Conference “From Science Computing to Computational Engineering”, 5-8 July 2006

Model Description
 The Energy balance for the control volume
 dE 
. .
 dV 
Q    hu  m k  p 
 dt  CV  dt  CV

Change in flame kernel internal energy
 dE  d  mk U k  dU k
   mk Ukm
k
 dt  dt dt
 Change in volume work
u
 dV 
p   4rk
2
p
drk
 4rk
2
p  st  s p 
 dt CV dt k
 Add of 3 above equations
 
 U k m k  hu m k  Ak p  u  st  s p  
dU k
Q spk  Q ch  Q ht  mk
dt  k 
2nd International Conference “From Science Computing to Computational Engineering”, 5-8 July 2006

Model Description
 Turbulent flame speed calculated by Herweg’s equation
12 12 12
st  u    r   u 
 I 0  I 01 2    1  exp  t T0G    
12
1  exp  k  
sl  u   sl    l   sl 
 Characteristic time scale
l
T0G 
u   sl
 Effect of strain on the kernel development
1 2 3 2
 l   u  lF u
I0  1  F  
 s  2
 15l   l  rk 2  k

 Laminar burning velocity using Metghalchi’s equation

1  2   1  1   2   1


sl  s1  s2    s3 
2
  T 
 


Pk 2 
5 
 1  2.1R 
 298   1.013 10 
2nd International Conference “From Science Computing to Computational Engineering”, 5-8 July 2006

Validation
 Validation of model has been demonstrated regarding Maly’s experimental
Result
2nd International Conference “From Science Computing to Computational Engineering”, 5-8 July 2006

Results

 Ignoring the initial step, there is good agreement

between the model and experimental data.
 Developed zero dimensional thermodynamic
model predicts correctly linear trend from the
beginning to the finishing radius of flame kernel
radius.
2nd International Conference “From Science Computing to Computational Engineering”, 5-8 July 2006

Thanks

Any Question?