Development of an Experimental Database and Kinetic Models for Surrogate Diesel Fuels

Published

April 16, 2007

Author(s)

J T. Ferrell, N Cernansky, F L. Dryer, Daniel G. Friend, C A. Hergart, C K. Law, R M. McDavid, Christian Mueller, A K. Patel, Heinz Pitsch

Abstract

Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations that include realistic combustion/emissions chemistry hold the promise of significantly shortening the development time for advanced, high efficiency, low emission engines. However, significant challenges must be overcome to realize this potential. This paper discusses these challenges in the context of diesel combustion, and outlines a technical program based on the use of surrogate fuels that sufficiently emulate the chemical complexity inherent in conventional diesel fuel. The essential components of such a program include: a) the identification of a suitable small number of fuel components representative of actual fuel composition that can be blended to mimic properties of commercial fuels, yet be sufficiently simple to permit detailed kinetic modeling; b) the acquisition or estimation of elementary chemical kinetic, thermochemical, and physical property data needed for the surrogate molecules and mixtures thereof; c) the development of accurate, predictive chemical kinetic models, together with the measurement of the necessary fundamental laboratory data to validate these mechanisms; and d) mechanism reduction tools to render feasible the coupled chemistry/flow calculations. In parallel to these efforts, the need exists to develop similarly robust models for fuel injection and spray processes involving multi-component mixtures of wide distillation character, as well as methodologies to include all of these high fidelity sub models in computationally efficient CFD tools. Near, mid, and longer-term research plans are proposed based on an application target of premixed diesel combustion.

Proceedings Title

Proc. 2007SAE World Congress

Conference Dates

April 16-19, 2007

Conference Location

Detroit, MI, USA

Pub Type

Conferences

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DOI Link

Keywords

combustion, disel, fuels, kinetics, properties, surrogates

Citation

Ferrell, J. , Cernansky, N. , Dryer, F. , Friend, D. , Hergart, C. , Law, C. , McDavid, R. , Mueller, C. , Patel, A. and Pitsch, H. (2007), Development of an Experimental Database and Kinetic Models for Surrogate Diesel Fuels, Proc. 2007SAE World Congress, Detroit, MI, USA, [online], https://doi.org/10.4271/2007-01-0201 (Accessed October 16, 2025)