Advanced strategies for investigation of internal combustion engine

Abstract

Due to several pressing matters like the drastic reduction in pollutant emissions and fuel consumption, as well as the need to increase the thermal efficiency, the research in the field of internal combustion engines running on conventional and unconventional fuels must use the newest investigation capabilities that can aid in overcoming these challenges. Currently there are many in-engine solutions that appear as promising in the development of future engines: dual fuel solutions (supplied to the engine cylinder either as blends or separately), a more precise control of the combustion in order to reach lower in-cylinder peak temperatures, compression ignition of gasoline or alcohols etc. and all these require sophisticated investigation methods. Even though, in the past years, a clear transition towards simulation could be noticed, the experimental part of the development process cannot be neglected just yet and one must combine the two methods in order to obtain progress. To this end, this paper presents novel investigations methods used in the TESTECOCEL laboratory (Testing laboratory for internal combustion engines that run on biofuels) of the Department of Automotive and Transports from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca as well as some obtained results (through simulation and experimental).