Gas-Dynamic Interactions between Pre-Chamber and Main Chamber in Passive Pre-Chamber Ignition Gasoline Engines

Abstract

Pre-chamber turbulent jet ignition (TJI) is a method of generating distributed ignition sites through multiple high-speed turbulent jets in order to achieve an enhanced burn rate in the engine cylinder when compared to conventional spark plug ignition. To study the gas-dynamic interactions between the two chambers in a gasoline engine, a three-dimensional numerical model was developed using the commercial CFD code CONVERGE. The geometry and parameters of the engine used were based on a modified turbocharged GM four-cylinder 2.0 L GDI gasoline engine. Pre-chambers with nozzle diameters of 0.75 mm and 1.5 mm were used to investigate the effect of pre-chamber geometry on pre-chamber charging, combustion, and jet formation. The local developments of gas temperature and velocity were captured by adaptive mesh refinement, while the turbulence was resolved with the k-epsilon model of the Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations. The combustion process was modeled with the extended coherent flamelet model (ECFM). Data from engine experiments were compared with the computed main chamber pressures and heat release rates, and the results show good consistency with the model calculations. The scavenging and air–fuel equivalence ratio (λ) distribution of the pre-chambers improved with the larger nozzle, while the smaller nozzle generated jets with higher velocity, greater turbulence kinetic energy, and longer penetration length. Moreover, after the primary jet formation, secondary pre-chamber charging, combustion, and secondary jet formation were observed.