A Comprehensive Study on the Leading Factors Affecting on the Start of Combustion in a Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) Engine Fueled with Methane

Homogenous charge compression ignition engine is a promising idea for reducing fuel consumption and engine emissions. As homogenous mixture of air and fuel is compressed until auto-ignition occurs in HCCI engines, therefore start of combustion is strongly related to chemical kinetic mechanism of fuel oxidation. In this paper, a thermodynamic single-zone model including detailed chemical kinetics is developed to simulate an HCCI engine fueled with methane. The model is validated with experimental results and it is used to study the effects of various parameters such as inlet mixture temperature/pressure and engine speed on the engine performance and start of combustion. Start of combustion is specified via third derivation of pressure trend due to crank angle. Indicated power/ work and specific fuel consumption is utilized to evaluate engine performance.