Comparative analysis of combustion dynamics using three reaction source models

ABSTRACT

The OpenFOAM computational fluid dynamics code was used to investigate the performance of three combustion models, namely, Muppala, Zimont and Algebraic. The performance characteristics of these models were tested in a fully premixed (stoichiometric $\left(\mathrm{\Phi }=1.0\right)$) modern, high-performance 4-valve, iso-octane, dual overhead cam (DOHC) engine with quasi-symmetric pent roof combustion chamber running at 1500 revolutions per minute. The performance characteristics of the three combustion models were found to be reasonably representative of measurement data that are usually observed in internal combustion engine test bed experiments. The combined or overall duration $\mathrm{\Delta }{\theta }_o,$ of the flame development $\mathrm{\Delta }{\theta }_d$ and propagation period $\mathrm{\Delta }{\theta }_{b^{\prime }}$ for the three models were 5.53 ms, 5.69 ms and 6.04 ms for the Muppala, Zimont and Algebraic models, respectively, and these values correspond to 49.75^◦CA, 51.175 CA and 54.425 CAwhich are well within the $30\le \mathrm{\Delta }{\theta }_o\le 90$ acceptable degree crank angle range during typical internal combustion engine operations. The maximum pressure with the corresponding degree crank angle positions at which they occur for the Muppala, Zimont and Algebraic models were found to be: $\left(59.86bar,{6.83}^{\circ }CA\right),$ $\left(53.19bar,{11.9}^{\circ }CA\right)$ and $\left(47.64bar,{12.1}^{\circ }CA\right)$ respectively. Furthermore, the results from the present study show that the flame-development period $\mathrm{\Delta }{\theta }_d$, was almost identical for the three combustion models, whereas the rapid-burning interval $\mathrm{\Delta }{\theta }_b$, was almost indistinguishable for the three combustion models up to about the 80% mark of the regress variable. In specific terms, the complete salient findings from this study are summarised in the conclusion section of this study.

KEYWORDS:

• Premixed turbulent combustion
• 2-Equation Weller (Algebraic) model
• Zimont model
• Algebraic Flame Surface Wrinkling model

Acknowledgments

The work reported herein was graciously supported by the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria, Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas, USA and Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos, Nigeria. The authors also wish to express their sincere gratitude to the reviewers for their insightful and constructive remarks, which led to improving the clarity of this paper considerably.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lucky Anetor

Dr. Lucky Anetor received his Bachelor of Science degree .(First Class Honours) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, Master of Science degree in Marine Engineering from the University of London, United Kingdom and his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Mechanical Engineering (specialization in Internal Combustion Engines and Computational Fluid Dynamics) from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Furthermore, he obtained a Master of Arts degree in Mathematics (CGPA = 3.973/4.0) from the University of Houston, Texas, USA. Professor Anetor was the pioneer Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria. Furthermore, he was a former Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Kwara State University, Nigeria. Professor Anetor was also an Adjunct Faculty at the ITT Technical Institute, Houston, Texas, where he taught undergraduate courses in Information Systems Security, Network Engineering Design and Implementation and Cybersecurity of Industrial Control Systems and Internet of Things (IoT). Professor Anetor is presently an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Engineering, Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas, USA. He recently joined Augustine University, Ilara-Epe, Lagos, Nigeria as a Professor of Cybersecurity Engineering. He is actively engaged in research and consulting in the areas internal combustion engines, cyber-security of industrial control systems, Internet of Things (IoT) and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT).. Professor Anetor has published in local and international journals. He has also delivered lectures and seminars to Fortune 500 petrochemical, medical and process automation enterprises in Canada and the USA. Professor Anetor was formerly the Director of Information Security at Fort Bend Independent School District, Sugar Land, Texas, USA. He is presently the Lead Cybersecurity Architect at the Harris Health System in Houston, Texas USA. Professor Anetor is a registered professional engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas, USA and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Edward E. Osakue

Dr. Edward E. Osakue is a Professor of Design Engineering and Technology in the Department of Industrial Technologies, Texas Southern University (TSU), Houston; Texas, USA. He is the current Chairperson of the Department and also a graduate Faculty at TSU. Dr. Osakue joined the Faculty at Texas Southern University in 2005 as an Adjunct Professor. He worked previously at ITT Technical Institute, Houston South campus as Education Supervisor for CAD Program and as Program Chair for School of Design from 1999 to 2005. Dr. Osakue was a Faculty member in the Department of Production Engineering, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Nigeria, from 1984 to 1992. Dr. Osakue received his doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, Canada, in 1999. He obtained his Master’s and a First Class Honours Bachelor of Engineering (Production Engineering) degrees in 1990 and 1983, respectively, from the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. His research interests include economical design of mechanical, structural, and piping systems, internal combustion engines, renewable energy, low-velocity impact with friction, and effective curriculum delivery methods. Dr. Osakue is a frequent attendee and presenter at National and International conferences. He is a member of several professional organizations including American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). Dr. Osakue has authored three books in Technical and Engineering Graphics respectively, and has published numerous journals, referred conference and other technical papers along with his co-authors. He has profiles on both Google Scholars and ResearchGate.

Christopher Odetunde

Professor Christopher Odetunde is the current Vice Chancellor of Augustine University, Ilara-Epe Lagos State, Nigeria.  He was formerly the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the Kwara State University, Malete, Kwara State, Nigeria.  Professor Odetunde obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and his Master of Science degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University both in the USA. Furthermore, he bagged his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA. Furthermore, Professor Odetunde has a Master of Science degree in Project Management which was conferred on him by the Southeastern Institute of Technology, Huntsville, Alabama, USA. Dr. Odetunde’s areas of research interest includes but not limited to, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Thermo-Fluids, Combustion, Orbital and Attitude Control, Subsonic, Aircraft structure, Transonic, Supersonic and Hypersonic Aerodynamics, Aviation Safety, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Transportation Methods and Theory. Professor Odetunde is a registered professional engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). He is also a Member of Board of trustees of Aviation Accreditation International, AABI.  Dr. Odetunde has more than 35 years of aerospace/aviation, senior- and executive level management experiences.