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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,387 records · Page 77
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Using the maximum entropy distribution to describe electrons in reconnecting current sheets

Particle distributions in weakly collisional environments such as the magnetosphere have been observed to show deviations from the Maxwellian distribution. These can often be reproduced in kinetic simulations, but fluid models, which are used in global simulations of the magnetosphere, do not necessarily capture any of this. We apply the maximum entropy fluid closure of Levermore, which leads to well posed moment equations, to reconstruct particle distributions from a kinetic simulation in a reconnection region. Our results show that without information other than the moments, the model can reproduce the general structure of the distributions but not all of the finer details. In conclusion, the advantages of the closure over the traditional Grad closure are also discussed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Modeling and simulation of transitional Rayleigh–Taylor flow with partially averaged Navier–Stokes equations

In this work, the partially averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS) equations are used to predict the variable-density Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) flow at Atwood number 0.5 and maximum Reynolds number 500. This is a prototypical problem of material mixing, featuring laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow, instabilities and coherent structures, density fluctuations, and production of turbulence kinetic energy by both shear and buoyancy mechanisms. These features pose numerous challenges to modeling and simulation, making the RT flow ideal to develop the validation space of the recently proposed PANS Besnard–Harlow–Rauenzahn-linear eddy viscosity model closure. The numerical simulations are conducted at different levels of physical resolution and test three approaches to set the parameters $f_\phi$ defining the range of physically resolved scales. The computations demonstrate the efficiency (accuracy vs cost) of the PANS model predicting the spatiotemporal development of the RT flow. Results comparable to large-eddy simulations and direct numerical simulations are obtained at significantly lower physical resolution without the limitations of the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations in these transitional flows. The data also illustrate the importance of appropriate selection of the physical resolution and the resolved fraction of each dependent quantity $\phi$ of the turbulent closure, $f_\phi$. These two aspects determine the ability of the model to resolve the flow phenomena not amenable to modeling by the closure and, as such, the computations’ fidelity.

Navier Stokes equations↗
DOE OSTI2023

A flexible gyro-fluid system of equations

Gyro-fluid equations are velocity space moments of the gyrokinetic equations. Special gyro-Landau-fluid closures have been developed that include the damping due to kinetic resonances by fitting to the collisionless local plasma response functions. This damping allows for accurate linear eigenmodes to be computed with a relatively low number of velocity space moments compared to the number of velocity quadrature points in gyrokinetic codes. However, none of the published gyro-Landau-fluid closure schemes considers the Onsager symmetries of the resulting quasi-linear fluxes as a constraint. Onsager symmetry guarantees that the matrix of diffusivities is positive definite, an important property for the numerical stability of a transport solver. A two-parameter real closure for improving the accuracy of low-resolution gyro-fluid equations, which preserves the Onsager symmetry and allows higher velocity space moments, is presented in this paper. The new linear gyro-fluid system (GFS) is used to extend the TGLF quasi-linear transport model so that it can compute the energy and momentum fluxes due to parallel magnetic fluctuations, completing the transport matrix. The GFS equations do not use a bounce average approximation. The GFS equations are fully electromagnetic with general flux surface magnetic geometry, pitch angle scattering for electron collisions, and subsonic equilibrium toroidal rotation. Using GFS eigenmodes in the quasi-linear TGLF model will be shown to yield a more accurate match to fluxes computed by CGYRO turbulence simulations. In conclusion, prospects for future applications of a quasi-linear theory to new plasma transport regimes and magnetic confinement devices in addition to tokamaks are opened by the flexibility of the GFS eigensolver.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Simulation of Boiling Two-Phase Flow in a Helical Coil Steam Generator Using the Spectral Element Code Nek-2P

To enable the design of a light water small modular reactor, the boiling flow inside a helical coil steam generator has been simulated with the two-fluid model in Nek-2P. Nek-2P is the multiphase branch of the spectral element code Nek5000. Details of the implementation of the two-fluid model and the included closure models are discussed. The presented closure models include interactions for momentum, heat, and mass transfer between phases. Models for the drag, lift, and turbulent dispersion forces are included. The complete model is fully consistent in the limits of both phasic volume fractions approaching zero and is able to simulate flows of dispersed vapor, continuous liquid, dispersed liquid, continuous vapor, or any combination thereof. The closure models and their implementation in Nek-2P have been validated by comparing to experimental data for a boiling flow, demonstrating excellent agreement. Results from the simulation of the helical coil indicate strong phasic separation driven by the effects of buoyancy and inertia. Finally, significant differences were observed in the results compared to simulations performed using Star-CCM+, although these differences were somewhat expected.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

High-Fidelity Modeling and Experiments to Inform Safety Analysis Codes for Heat Pipe Microreactors

Heat pipe microreactors are reactor designs that primarily use liquid-metal heat pipes to cool the core. The main interest in heat pipes is the fact that they can remove heat passively. This, along with the use of liquid metal, allows the reactor to operate at higher temperatures. Although the use of heat pipes in nuclear reactors is new, liquid-metal heat pipe technology is mature. Nevertheless, experimental data on heat pipes are scarce, and very little is known about their behavior during abnormal operations and close to their thermal limits. Therefore, new experiments and accurate heat pipe simulations are needed to develop reliable closure models. This work describes a joint experimental and numerical investigation into heat pipes that attempts an initial closure of this gap. Further, the numerical and experimental efforts are currently proceeding in parallel, aimed at different aspects of heat pipes. The numerical part is focused on gaps in local closures, and the experiments capture the overall heat pipe behavior.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Data-based filtered dissipation rate modelling for multi-modal turbulent combustion: evaluating a priori model generalizability

Manifold-based models offer a computationally efficient alternative to directly transporting the thermochemical state in computational simulations of turbulent reacting flows, projecting the high-dimensional thermochemical state-space onto a low-dimensional manifold. Recent efforts have yielded a manifold-based model applicable to multi-modal combustion, enabling reconstruction of the thermochemical state from solutions to two-dimensional manifold equations in mixture fraction and generalized progress variable that are parameterised by three scalar dissipation rates. In coarse-grained simulations such as Large Eddy Simulation (LES), closure of the multi-modal manifold equations and subfilter variances/covariance requires closure of three filtered scalar dissipation rates. Here, the present work adopts a data-based approach, providing closure for the three filtered scalar dissipation rates via deep neural networks (DNNs). High-fidelity datasets corresponding to an autoigniting n-dodecane jet flame and a bluff body swirl-stabilized confined lifted spray flame of two aviation fuels (Jet-A and C1) with different ignition propensities are leveraged to generate training data that spans a diverse range of thermodynamic conditions and combustion modes, including low- and high-temperature ignition regimes in addition to premixed and nonpremixed behaviour. A final DNN model is trained to enforce inherent physical constraints by learning nonlinear functional transformations of the three filtered scalar dissipation rates. The generalizability of this constrained DNN model is demonstrated a priori via conditional statistics evaluated on the lifted spray flame with C1–a configuration that had not been included in the training data. Excellent DNN agreement with conditional DNS statistics is observed, and integrated gradients are computed to identify the most sensitive input variables. The similarity of the marginal PDFs of the most informative input variables and outputs across configurations are quantified via the Wasserstein metric, demonstrating that data-based models may successfully generalize to unseen parametric conditions so long as the most informative input variables share similar distributions across training and testing datasets.

Data-based modelling↗
DOE OSTI2014

ANALYTICAL MODELS OF EXOPLANETARY ATMOSPHERES. II. RADIATIVE TRANSFER VIA THE TWO-STREAM APPROXIMATION

We present a comprehensive analytical study of radiative transfer using the method of moments and include the effects of non-isotropic scattering in the coherent limit. Within this unified formalism, we derive the governing equations and solutions describing two-stream radiative transfer (which approximates the passage of radiation as a pair of outgoing and incoming fluxes), flux-limited diffusion (which describes radiative transfer in the deep interior), and solutions for the temperature-pressure profiles. Generally, the problem is mathematically underdetermined unless a set of closures (Eddington coefficients) is specified. We demonstrate that the hemispheric (or hemi-isotropic) closure naturally derives from the radiative transfer equation if energy conservation is obeyed, while the Eddington closure produces spurious enhancements of both reflected light and thermal emission. We concoct recipes for implementing two-stream radiative transfer in stand-alone numerical calculations and general circulation models. We use our two-stream solutions to construct toy models of the runaway greenhouse effect. We present a new solution for temperature-pressure profiles with a non-constant optical opacity and elucidate the effects of non-isotropic scattering in the optical and infrared. We derive generalized expressions for the spherical and Bond albedos and the photon deposition depth. We demonstrate that the value of the optical depth corresponding to the photosphere is not always 2/3 (Milne's solution) and depends on a combination of stellar irradiation, internal heat, and the properties of scattering in both the optical and infrared. Finally, we derive generalized expressions for the total, net, outgoing, and incoming fluxes in the convective regime.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2012

RESOLVING THE INNER JET STRUCTURE OF 1924-292 WITH THE EVENT HORIZON TELESCOPE

We present the first 1.3 mm (230 GHz) very long baseline interferometry model image of an active galactic nucleus (AGN) jet using closure phase techniques with a four-element array. The model image of the quasar 1924-292 was obtained with four telescopes at three observatories: the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii, the Arizona Radio Observatory's Submillimeter Telescope in Arizona, and two telescopes of the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-wave Astronomy in California in 2009 April. With the greatly improved resolution compared with previous observations and robust closure phase measurement, the inner jet structure of 1924-292 was spatially resolved. The inner jet extends to the northwest along a position angle of -53 Degree-Sign at a distance of 0.38 mas from the tentatively identified core, in agreement with the inner jet structure inferred from lower frequencies, and making a position angle difference of {approx}80 Degree-Sign with respect to the centimeter jet. The size of the compact core is 0.15 pc with a brightness temperature of 1.2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 11} K. Compared with those measured at lower frequencies, the low brightness temperature may argue in favor of the decelerating jet model or particle-cascade models. The successful measurement of closure phase paves the way for imaging and time resolving Sgr A* and nearby AGNs with the Event Horizon Telescope.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Neutron-rich calcium isotopes within realistic Gamow shell model calculations with continuum coupling

Based on the realistic nuclear force of the high-precision CD-Bonn potential, we have performed comprehensive calculations for neutron-rich calcium isotopes using the Gamow shell model (GSM) which includes resonance and continuum. The realistic GSM calculations produce well binding energies, one- and two-neutron separation energies, predicting that 57 Ca is the heaviest bound odd isotope and 70 Ca is the dripline nucleus. Resonant states are predicted, which provides useful information for future experiments on particle emissions in neutron-rich calcium isotopes. Shell evolutions in the calcium chain around neutron numbers $\textit{N}$ = 32, 34, and 40 are understood by calculating effective single-particle energies, the excitation energies of the first 2 + states and two-neutron separation energies. The calculations support shell closures at 52 Ca ($\textit{N}$ = 32) and 54 Ca ($\textit{N}$ = 34) but show a weakening of shell closure at 60 Ca ($\textit{N}$ = 40). Finally, the possible shell closure at 70 Ca ($\textit{N}$ = 50) is predicted.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Investigating nuclear structure near N=32 and N=34: Precision mass measurements of neutron-rich Ca, Ti, and V isotopes

Nuclear mass measurements of isotopes are key to improving our understanding of nuclear structure across the chart of nuclides, in particular, for the determination of the appearance or disappearance of nuclear shell closures. Here, we present high-precision mass measurements of neutron-rich Ca, Ti, and V isotopes performed at TRIUMF's Ion Trap for Atomic and Nuclear science (TITAN) and the Low Energy Beam and Ion Trap (LEBIT) facilities. These measurements were made using the TITAN multiple-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MR-ToF-MS) and the LEBIT 9.4T Penning trap mass spectrometer. In total, 13 masses were measured, 8 of which represent increases in precision over previous measurements. These measurements refine trends in the mass surface around N=32 and N=34, and support the disappearance of the N=32 shell closure with increasing proton number. Additionally, our data do not support the presence of a shell closure at N=34.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Influence of phase connectivity on the relationship among capillary pressure, fluid saturation, and interfacial area in two-fluid-phase porous medium systems

Here, multiphase flow in porous medium systems is typically modeled using continuum mechanical representations at the macroscale in terms of averaged quantities. These models require closure relations to produce solvable forms. One of these required closure relations is an expression relating fluid pressures, fluid saturations, and, in some cases, the interfacial area between the fluid phases, and the Euler characteristic. An unresolved question is whether the inclusion of these additional morphological and topological measures can lead to a non-hysteretic closure relation compared to the hysteretic forms that are used in traditional models, which typically do not include interfacial areas, or the Euler characteristic. We develop a lattice-Boltzmann (LB) simulation approach to investigate the equilibrium states of a two-fluid-phase porous medium system, which include disconnected now- wetting phase features. The proposed approach is applied to a synthetic medium consisting of 1,964 spheres arranged in a random, non-overlapping, close-packed manner, yielding a total of 42,908 different equilibrium points. This information is evaluated using a generalized additive modeling approach to determine if a unique function from this family exists, which can explain the data. The variance of various model estimates is computed, and we conclude that, except for the limiting behavior close to a single fluid regime, capillary pressure can be expressed as a deterministic and non-hysteretic function of fluid saturation, interfacial area between the fluid phases, and the Euler characteristic. This work is unique in the methods employed, the size of the data set, the resolution in space and time, the true equilibrium nature of the data, the parameterizations investigated, and the broad set of functions examined. The conclusion of essentially non-hysteretic behavior provides support for an evolving class of two-fluid-phase flow in porous medium systems models.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Data assimilation empowered neural network parametrizations for subgrid processes in geophysical flows

In the past couple of years, there has been a proliferation in the use of machine learning approaches to represent subgrid-scale processes in geophysical flows with an aim to improve the forecasting capability and to accelerate numerical simulations of these flows. Despite its success for different types of flow, the online deployment of a data-driven closure model can cause instabilities and biases in modeling the overall effect of subgrid-scale processes, which in turn leads to inaccurate prediction. To tackle this issue, we exploit the data assimilation technique to correct the physics-based model coupled with the neural network as a surrogate for unresolved flow dynamics in multiscale systems. In particular, we use a set of neural network architectures to learn the correlation between resolved flow variables and the parametrizations of unresolved flow dynamics and formulate a data assimilation approach to correct the hybrid model during their online deployment. We illustrate our framework in a set of applications of the multiscale Lorenz 96 system for which the parametrization model for unresolved scales is exactly known, and the two-dimensional Kraichnan turbulence system for which the parametrization model for unresolved scales is not known a priori. Our analysis, therefore, comprises a predictive dynamical core empowered by (i) a data-driven closure model for subgrid-scale processes, (ii) a data assimilation approach for forecast error correction, and (iii) both data-driven closure and data assimilation procedures. We show significant improvement in the long-term prediction of the underlying chaotic dynamics with our framework compared to using only neural network parametrizations for future prediction. Moreover, we demonstrate that these data-driven parametrization models can handle the non-Gaussian statistics of subgrid-scale processes, and effectively improve the accuracy of outer data assimilation workflow loops in a modular nonintrusive way.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Clarifying the 𝑁,𝑍 = 14 Shells near the Drip Lines from the Spectroscopy of 22 Si and 21 Al

Evidence for a (sub)-shell closure at 𝑍 = 14 has been observed from the spectroscopy of 22 Si and 21 Al . Using a fast 23 Si beam on a 9 Be target, several proton-decaying resonances have been populated in 21 Al and 22 Si , including the first measurement of the 2$^{+}_{1}$ state in 22 Si with an excitation energy of 2.352(55) MeV. Relative to the known 𝑁 = 14 subshell closure in 22 O , the 22 Si 2$^{+}_{1}$ excitation energy indicates the existence of a weakened 𝑍 = 14 subshell closure. To reproduce the new spectroscopic information and known 22 Al levels, the energy of the 1⁢𝑠 1/2 orbit must be substantially decreased, which imparts Thomas-Ehrman shifts to all excited states observed in the present Letter and explains the structure of nuclei in the 𝑠⁢𝑑 shell for this region of the proton drip line.

20 ≤ A ≤ 38↗
DOE OSTI2016

Functional analysis of cellulose and xyloglucan in the walls of stomatal guard cells of Arabidopsis thaliana

Here, stomatal guard cells are pairs of specialized epidermal cells that control water and CO 2 exchange between the plant and the environment. To fulfill the functions of stomatal opening and closure that are driven by changes in turgor pressure, guard cell walls must be both strong and flexible, but how the structure and dynamics of guard cell walls enable stomatal function remains poorly understood. To address this question, we applied cell biological and genetic analyses to investigate guard cell walls and their relationship to stomatal function in Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana ). Using live-cell spinning disk confocal microscopy, we measured the motility of cellulose synthase (CESA)-containing complexes labeled by green fluorescent protein (GFP)-CESA3 and observed a reduced proportion of GFP-CESA3 particles colocalizing with microtubules upon stomatal closure. Imaging cellulose organization in guard cells revealed a relatively uniform distribution of cellulose in the open state and a more fibrillar pattern in the closed state, indicating that cellulose microfibrils undergo dynamic reorganization during stomatal movements. In cesa3 je5 mutants defective in cellulose synthesis and xxt1 xxt2 mutants lacking the hemicellulose xyloglucan, stomatal apertures, changes in guard cell length, and cellulose reorganization were aberrant during fusicoccin-induced stomatal opening or abscisic acid-induced stomatal closure, indicating that sufficient cellulose and xyloglucan are required for normal guard cell dynamics. Together, these results provide new insights into how guard cell walls allow stomata to function as responsive mediators of gas exchange at the plant surface.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Advanced simulation capability for environmental management - current status and future applications

The U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM), Office of Soil and Groundwater (EM-12), is supporting development of the Advanced Simulation Capability for Environmental Management (ASCEM). ASCEM is a state-of-the-art scientific tool and approach that is currently aimed at understanding and predicting contaminant fate and transport in natural and engineered systems. ASCEM is a modular and open source high-performance computing tool. It will be used to facilitate integrated approaches to modeling and site characterization, and provide robust and standardized assessments of performance and risk for EM cleanup and closure activities. The ASCEM project continues to make significant progress in development of capabilities, with current emphasis on integration of capabilities in FY12. Capability development is occurring for both the Platform and Integrated Tool-sets and High-Performance Computing (HPC) multi-process simulator. The Platform capabilities provide the user interface and tools for end-to-end model development, starting with definition of the conceptual model, management of data for model input, model calibration and uncertainty analysis, and processing of model output, including visualization. The HPC capabilities target increased functionality of process model representations, tool-sets for interaction with Platform, and verification and model confidence testing. The integration of the Platform and HPC capabilities were tested and evaluated for EM applications in a set of demonstrations as part of Site Applications Thrust Area activities in 2012. The current maturity of the ASCEM computational and analysis capabilities has afforded the opportunity for collaborative efforts to develop decision analysis tools to support and optimize radioactive waste disposal. Recent advances in computerized decision analysis frameworks provide the perfect opportunity to bring this capability into ASCEM. This will allow radioactive waste disposal to be evaluated based on decision needs, such as disposal, closure, and maintenance. Decision models will be used in ASCEM to identify information/data needs, and model refinements that might be necessary to effectively reduce uncertainty in waste disposal decisions. Decision analysis models start with tools for framing the problem, and continue with modeling both the science side of the problem (for example, inventories, source terms, fate and transport, receptors, risk, etc.), and the cost side of the problem, which could include costs of implementation of any action that is chosen (e.g., for disposal or closure), and the values associated with those actions. The cost side of the decision problem covers economic, environmental and societal costs, which correspond to the three pillars of sustainability (economic, social, and environmental). These tools will facilitate stakeholder driven decision analysis to support optimal sustainable solutions in ASCEM. In this paper the current state of ASCEM is first described, followed by a description of the approach that will be taken to augment ASCEM for simulating fate and transport with tools that facilitate a top-down or systems level view of finding optimal, sustainable solutions to difficult environmental (including radioactive waste) problems. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2013

Norm - contaminated iodine production facilities decommissioning in Turkmenistan: experience and results

This report summarizes the data, including the cost parameters of the former iodine production facilities decommissioning project in Turkmenistan. Before the closure, these facilities were producing the iodine from the underground mineral water by the methods of charcoal adsorption. Balkanabat iodine and Khazar chemical plants' sites remediation, transportation and disposal campaigns main results could be seen. The rehabilitated area covers 47.5 thousand square meters. The remediation equipment main characteristics, technical solutions and rehabilitation operations performed are indicated also. The report shows the types of the waste shipping containers, the quantity and nature of the logistics operations. The project waste turnover is about 2 million ton-kilometers. The problems encountered during the remediation of the Khazar chemical plant site are discussed: undetected waste quantities that were discovered during the operational activities required the additional volume of the disposal facility. The additional repository wall superstructure was designed and erected to accommodate this additional waste. There are data on the volume and characteristics of the NORM waste disposed: 60.4 thousand cu.m. of NORM with total activity 1 439 x 10{sup 9} Bq (38.89 Ci) were disposed at all. This report summarizes the project implementation results, from 2009 to 15.02.2012 (the date of the repository closure and its placement under the controlled supervision), including monitoring results within a year after the repository closure. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2023

Supplemental Structural Analyses Used in Support of Certification of the Defense Programs Package 3

The Defense Programs Package (DPP)-3 is to be certified by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Packaging and Transportation Division (PTD). Certification is based on successful physical testing of the package, and six certification test units (CTUs) have been subjected to the normal conditions of transport (NCT) and hypothetical accident conditions (HAC) outlined in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 71 (10 CFR 71). During regulatory testing of one of the CTUs, the drum lid closure bolt closest to the impact surface failed during the HAC 30-ft side drop. One of the testing goals for this CTU was to minimize the thermal pathway from the drum exterior shell to the containment vessel (CV) flange and O-rings, leading to the maximum damage scenario in preparation for thermal testing at 1475 °F. Therefore, the puncture bar impact proceeded as originally planned by striking the side wall of the package exterior closest to the location of the CV flange. This puncture bar impact did not attempt to exploit the region of the failed drum lid closure bolt to potentially cause more damage to the package. After the conclusion of regulatory testing, the DPP-3 package finite element model was used to numerically evaluate the effects of puncture bar impacts to the drum exterior in the vicinity of the failed drum lid closure bolt to further demonstrate the robustness of the DPP-3 design. Three alternate puncture bar impact locations and orientations were evaluated to demonstrate that these puncture bar impacts would not substantially reduce the effectiveness of the DPP-3 packaging. This paper describes the supplemental finite element models performed and structural analysis results that demonstrate the alternate HAC 40-in. puncture bar impact tests would have no deleterious effect on the performance of the DPP-3.

Sakalaukus Jr., Peter J.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Modeling and control of fuel distribution in a dual-fuel internal combustion engine leveraging late intake valve closings

In internal combustion engines, cycle-to-cycle and cylinder-to-cylinder variations of the combustion process have been shown to negatively impact the fuel efficiency of the engine and lead to higher exhaust emissions. The combustion variations are generally tied to differences in the composition and condition of the trapped mass throughout each cycle and across individual cylinders. Thus, advanced engines featuring exhaust gas recirculation, flexible valve actuation systems, advanced fueling strategies, and turbocharging systems are prone to exhibit higher variations in the combustion process. In this study, the cylinder-to-cylinder variations of the combustion process in a dual-fuel internal combustion engine leveraging late intake valve closing are investigated and a model to predict and address one of the root causes for these variations across cylinders is developed. The study is conducted on an inline six-cylinder heavy-duty dual-fuel engine equipped with exhaust gas recirculation, a variable geometry turbocharger, and a fully flexible variable intake valve actuation system. The engine is operated with late intake valve closure timings in a dual-fuel combustion mode in which a high reactivity fuel is directly injected into the cylinders and a low reactivity fuel is port injected into the cylinders. The cylinder-to-cylinder variations observed in the study have been associated with the maldistribution of the port-injected fuel, which is exacerbated at late intake valve timings. The resulting difference in indicated mean effective pressure between the cylinders ranges from 9% at an intake valve closing of 570° after top dead center to 38% at an intake valve closing of 620° after top dead center and indicates an increasingly uneven fuel distribution. The study leverages both experimental and simulation studies to investigate the distribution of the port-injected fuel and its impact on cylinder-to-cylinder variation. The effects of intake valve closing as well as the impact of intake runner length on fuel distribution were quantitatively analyzed, and a model was developed that can be used to accurately predict the fuel distribution of the port-injected fuel at different operating conditions with an average estimation error of 1.5% in cylinder-specific fuel flow. A model-based control strategy is implemented to adjust the fueling at each port and shown to significantly reduce the cylinder-to-cylinder variations in fuel distribution.

Kassa, Mateos↗