Numerical Study on the Potential of Stratified Mixture to Improve Thermal Efficiency and Reduce Carbon Emissions in High-Speed Gasoline Direct Injection Engine

Abstract

Stratified combustion improves the indicated thermal efficiency (ITE) of gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines, but the mechanism of its impact on unregulated emissions remains unclear. In this simulation-based study, double injection strategies were used to create stratified mixtures in the cylinder. The results indicated that as the second fuel injection quantity (FIQ) was increased or as the second fuel injection timing (FIT) was delayed, the oil-film mass increased, leading to an increase in soot emissions. The formation of a large area of stoichiometry (STO) region at the spark plug and at its right side increases the laminar flame velocity and improves the ITE. At 4000 rpm, the ITE of case2-2 (with a second FIT of −220 °CA after top dead center (ATDC) and a second FIQ of 65.5 mg) increased by 1.6% compared to the original scheme. With the increase in STO area, NOx emissions and the content of CH3OH and CH2O increased, while carbon monoxide (CO) and greenhouse gas emissions showed a decreasing trend. Compared to the original scheme, CO and greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 1.97% and 6.7%, respectively, in case2-2. This study provides guidance for the development of GDI engines with high ITE and low carbon emissions.