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Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition Fundamentals

Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines have

the potential to provide high, diesel-like efficiencies and very low
emissions. In an HCCI engine, a dilute, premixed fuel/air charge
autoignites and burns volumetrically as a result of being
compressed by the piston. The charge is made dilute either by
being very lean, or by mixing with recycled exhaust gases.

Several technical barriers must be overcome before HCCI can be

implemented in production engines. Variations of HCCI in which
the charge mixture and/or temperature are partially stratified
(stratified charge compression ignition or SCCI) have the potential
for overcoming many of these barriers.

Because of HCCI's strong potential, most diesel engine and

automobile manufacturers have established HCCI/SCCI
development
efforts.

The Sandia
HCCI Engine
Combustion
Fundamentals Laboratory supports this
industrial effort. The laboratory is equipped
with two Cummins B-series engines mounted
at either end of a double-ended dynamometer.
These production engines have been converted
for single-cylinder HCCI/SCCI operation.
 One engine (the so-called all-metal
engine) is used to establish operating
points, test various fuel types,
develop combustion-control
strategies, and investigate emissions.
 The second engine has extensive
optical access for the application of
advanced laser diagnostics for
investigations of in-cylinder processes. The design includes an extended piston with piston-
crown window, three large windows near the top of the cylinder wall, and a drop-down
cylinder for rapid cleaning of fouled windows.

The engines are designed to provide a versatile facility for investigations of a wide range of
operating conditions and various fuel-injection, fuel/air/residual mixing, and control strategies that
have the potential of overcoming the technical barriers to HCCI. The size of these engines (0.98
liters/cylinder) was selected so that results are applicable to both automotive and heavy-duty
applications. They are equipped with the following features:
 Variable in-cylinder swirl: swirl ratios of 0.9 to 3.2, convertible to swirl ratios up to 7.6
 Multiple fuel systems: fully premixed, port fuel injection, gasoline-type direct-injection, and
diesel-type direct-injection
 Complete intake charge conditioning: simulated or real EGR, intake pressures to 6
atmospheres, and intake temperatures to 220°C
 Speeds up to 3600 rpm (metal engine) and 1800 rpm (optical engine)
 Variable compression ratio variable through interchangeable pistons (compression ratios
from 12:1 to 21:1 are currently available)
 Custom HCCI piston design
 Full emissions measurements: CO2, CO, O2, HC, NOx, and smoke
  Mechanical valves with a conversion to fully flexible variable valve actuation (VVA) under
development

Investigations are addressing several issues, including:

 Stratification of the fuel/air mixture as a means of improving emissions and combustion
efficiency during part-load operation
 The effects of fuel-type on performance and emissions over a range of speeds and loads
 Intake pressure boosting for increased power, heat transfer effects, combustion-phasing
control, and extending operation to higher loads

Because fuel characteristics are central to HCCI engine design, a variety of fuels are being examined
including gasoline, diesel fuel, and a number of representative constituents of real distillate fuels.